Business Development Partners

Business Incubators and Accelerators for Entrepreneurs in New Orleans

  • Fund17 provides the tools and resources necessary to grow a hustle into a livelihood. 
  • The Idea Village is an independent nonprofit with a mission to identify, support, and retain entrepreneurial talent in New Orleans. The Idea Village offers a number of accelerator programs and produces New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (NOEW).
  • PowerMoves.NOLA is a nonprofit dedicated to increase the number of venture-backed minority-founded companies locally and nationally. They offer a fellowship program, pitch competitions, and a boot camp.
  • Propeller is a nonprofit whose mission is to incubate and launch socially minded ventures. Propeller offers co-working space and accelerator services and hosts PitchNOLA.

Regional Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs)

  • HOPE (Hope Enterprise Corporation/Hope Credit Union) is a CDFI that provides affordable financial products and services to families and businesses in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
  • NewCorp, Inc. is a CDFI specializing in small-, minority-, and women-owned businesses. NewCorp provides technical assistance and access to capital to small businesses in Greater New Orleans.
  • LiftFund is a CDFI whose mission is to provide credit and services to small businesses and entrepreneurs who do not have access to loans from commercial sources and to provide leadership and innovation to the microlending industry. LiftFund operates in many states.
  • Regional Loan Corporation is a nonprofit certified small business development company offering low interest financing for Louisiana businesses.
  • TruFund Financial Services, Inc. (TruFund) is a nonprofit seeking to stimulate economic development in communities that are underserved by traditional banking institutions by providing affordable capital, hands-on business assistance, and innovative solutions to small businesses and nonprofits in New York, Alabama, and Louisiana. 

New Orleans Nonprofits

  • The Art Council of New Orleans is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting and expanding opportunities for diverse artistic expression and bringing the community together in celebration of New Orleans’ rich, multicultural heritage. The Art Council administers grant funding for nonprofit art organizations in New Orleans.
  • The Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) is a multidisciplinary arts center dedicated to the presentation, production, and promotion of the art of our time. CAC offers financial services to assist cultural nonprofit and some for-profit entities.
  • The Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) is a membership organization whose mission is to advance and protect Louisiana’s restaurant and foodservice industry. LRA offers training, workers’ compensation program, advocacy, and legal services.
  • StayLocal is a membership organization serving as Greater New Orleans’ Independent Business Alliance by connecting locally-owned, independent New Orleans businesses with customers, resources, and each other.

Technical Assistance for Business Owners