Startup St. Bernard 2025 Finalists Announced
ST. BERNARD PARISH, LA – The St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation is presenting the 11th annual Startup St. Bernard on August 21, 2025, at Nunez Community College in Chalmette, LA. The live event, which is free to attend, is a “Shark Tank”-style pitch competition where three entrepreneurs will compete for what has previously been over $100,000 in cash and in-kind services.
“Startup St. Bernard is more than a pitch competition, it’s an investment in our local economy,” said Meaghan McCormack, Chief Executive Officer of St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation. “Each year, we help launch and grow businesses that create jobs, attract visitors, and strengthen the parish’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Every finalists that has been selected over the program’s eleven year history has the potential to generate lasting economic benefits, and this program gives them the tools, resources, and connections to make that happen.”
Three finalists: Limpiar, Salubata, and The Levee Shack will pitch their businesses to a panel of judges for a chance to win part of what could be a ~$100,000 prize package. The finalists were chosen from a larger pool of applicants through rigorous consideration by the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program at Delgado Community College, based on criteria including strength of business plan, experience of management, and ability to positively impact St. Bernard Parish. Startup St. Bernard was open to any business under five years old that agrees to locate their base of operations in St. Bernard Parish and participate in its entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Limpiar is a freelance platform that connects clients with skilled cleaning service providers through a streamlined mobile app and desktop interface. Offering secure payments, on-demand booking, and access to a nationwide network of professionals, Limpiar is designed to create jobs while delivering convenience and quality service. By combining advanced technology with a commitment to green cleaning practices, the platform aims to transform the cleaning industry, boost economic opportunity, and provide reliable service connections across the United States.
Salubata creates modular shoes from recycled plastic waste, blending fashion, comfort, and environmental impact. Dedicated to reducing global plastic pollution while creating sustainable jobs, Salubata’s products serve both eco-conscious consumers and communities in need. Bringing their operations to St. Bernard Parish will support local entrepreneurship, create green manufacturing opportunities, and reinforce the parish’s growing role in sustainable economic development.
The Levee Shack is a mobile, short-term fishing cabin rental that combines the comfort of a traditional stay with the flexibility of a trailer-based structure. Designed for outdoor enthusiasts visiting St. Bernard Parish, the cabin can be relocated during hurricanes or seasonal shifts, offering both storm resilience and access to premium fishing locations. Its mobility, paired with a scalable growth model driven by content marketing and value-added services, positions it to enhance local tourism and highlight innovative, sustainable approaches to coastal lodging.
This year's prize package is still being developed and will be announced soon. All three finalists will receive a cash prize of at least $5,000. The winner will receive the grand prize package, including a mix of cash and in-kind donations. In the past, in-kind donations have included services ranging from legal and accounting to marketing and public relations.
“Because of our generous sponsors, Startup St. Bernard continues to offer one of the largest non-dilutive prize packages in the Gulf South Region,” said McCormack. “This is a direct boost to our local economy as every dollar invested here ripples through our community in the form of new jobs, expanded services, and increased visibility for St. Bernard Parish as a place to do business.”
Previous Startup St. Bernard winners have been 40 Arpent Brewing Company (2015); Christie’s Dreams Seafood (2016); Reactive Digital Systems, LLC (2017); Clean Course Meals (2018); Schmelly's Dirt Farm (2019); CORE: Louisiana Counseling and Recovery Center (2020); Glass Half Full (2021); Ceres Plant Protein Cereal (2023), The Safety Pouch (2024), and most recently, Natural Wellness with Nurse April (2025). Many of the competition’s finalists have gone on to see success, too, including Coast Roast, The Coffee House, Girls Gone Vegan, and St. Bernard Eco Tourism, among others.
SBEDF would like to thank some of this year's sponsors, including Associated Terminals, Biz New Orleans, Capital One, Nunez Community College Foundation, Ochsner Health, OUTFRONT Media, SSE Steel Fabrication, St. Bernard Parish Government, St. Bernard Chamber of Commerce, St. Bernard Parish Hospital, St. Bernard Port Harbor and Terminal District, Turn Services, and Valero Meraux Refinery. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, you can submit your sponsorship here or contact our team at contact@sbedf.org.
You can learn more about the event at www.startupstbernard.com and register to watch the pitches live on August 21.
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About St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation
St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation (SBEDF) is the official economic development organization and public-private partnership of St. Bernard Parish formed to create and retain jobs, build prosperity, and improve quality of life. To learn more about SBEDF and how the organization works to foster business attraction, retention and expansion, neighborhood revitalization, small business assistance, and talent and workforce development in St. Bernard Parish, sbedf.org.
