WE Fellowship

2025 WE Fellowship: Applications Now Open. Apply here.

Applications close on January 7, 2025.

Pitch Competition: April 10, 2025

Only 39% of U.S. businesses have women majority ownership according to American Express OPEN, “The 2017 State of Women-Owned Businesses Report.” Increased access to female mentors, resources, and role models can cultivate entrepreneurial success for a women-owned business. As a women’s training organization, JLNO’s diverse, professional membership is uniquely positioned to guide women wishing to scale their endeavors.

Started in January 2016, JLNO’s Woman Entrepreneur (WE) Fellowship is a yearlong program supporting a female business owner with funding as well as mentoring and in-kind services sourced through JLNO’s membership. Women with at least a 50% stake in an enterprise that has been in operation between one to five years and making less than $750,000 are eligible to apply.

The WE Fellowship Committee reviews the submissions and selects up to five finalists. Each finalist will meet with a growth consulting firm to craft a 10-minute pitch. A judging panel selects the Fellow, and JLNO members develop a plan to secure in-League mentors and resources. Our WE Fellows have scaled their businesses, increasing staff, revenue, and industry recognition, and the finalists have gained knowledge, connections, and exposure through the pitch process.

The WE Fellowship goes beyond giving financial support to a small business. It aligns with the Junior League mission tenet to “develop the potential of women” by offering mentoring, training, and support. The program is innovative, specific, and impactful. Most importantly, WE Fellowship emphasizes the unique capacity women have for creative endeavors and perseverance, providing examples to which women and girls can aspire.

The business-owner should be:

•  A woman who is the majority stakeholder in the enterprise or 50/50 with a spouse/partner and functions as its daily manager 

•  Aged 21 years and older

•  A legal resident of the United States

The business can be in any industry and should:

•  Have been formed under U.S. law and is currently operating within 40 miles of New Orleans, Louisiana

•  Have between 1 year minimum and 5 year maximum of continuous operations

•  Be an established business generating annual revenues greater than $0 and less than $750,000

The business must be in good standing at the time of the application submission and shall upload a screenshot confirming the Secretary of State filing.  Nonprofit organizations or subsidiary or franchise businesses are not eligible. 

The WE Fellow should represent the same personal and professional commitments as the Junior League, namely it embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion, and reaches out to all women who demonstrate an interest in improving their community.

Application Process and Timeline:

The WE Fellow is selected via a multi-step process as indicated below.

Step 1 – Complete the WE Fellowship Application.
If interested, female business owners must submit an application in early 2025. Submitting an application is free, and applicants need not be JLNO members.

Step 2 – Prepare for Pitches

The WE Fellowship Selection Committee will review the submitted applications and select women-owned businesses to give 10-minute presentations on April 10, 2025. Prior to the event, each finalist will meet with an expert from Trepwise Consulting who will help her craft her presentation.

Step 3 – Present at WE Fellowship Pitch Competition
Each finalist will pitch her enterprise for an audience and judging panel. Votes from the public will award an audience prize, and a judging panel will award the fellowship. The pitch competition will take place on April 10, 2025, in person at Junior League of New Orleans Headquarters.

Fellowship Components: