A Season for Startups

The New Orleans region consistently ranks as one of the best places to start a company, and the upcoming entrepreneurial calendar shows why – with an unprecedented range of new accelerators, pitch competitions, talent platforms, and venture funds for early-stage founders.

• Applications are now open for the Fall 2025 IDEAinstitute cohort at The Idea Village, a 10-week accelerator where founders refine their business model, connect with mentors, and gain a shot at Pitch Night
• NOLAVATE Black has introduced a new job board featuring nearly 15,000 roles at more than 100 companies, designed to connect black professionals with opportunities in tech, startups, and corporate innovation
• On the Northshore, STartUP Northshore debuted THE LAUNCHPAD, a live pitch series highlighting early-stage companies from St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington parishes. The inaugural event, hosted with Gulf South Angels, crowned safety technology startup WSPER as its first winner
• Also on the Northshore, Palette Northshore is poised to open the doors to its new flexible workspace that fuels creativity, networking, and big ideas on August 27
• GNO, Inc.’s entrepreneurship initiative, StartupNOLA, held a Demo Day on Aug. 12, where graduates of the Spring 2025 Founder Institute Louisiana program presented their ventures before peers, investors, and mentors. The program will also be extending its Access to Capital series with a Meet the VCs event on September 24, Family Offices event on October 21, and Private Equity event on November 12
• GNO, Inc.’s METRONOME Music Business Accelerator, in partnership with Idea Village, which gives local music startups a dedicated, industry-focused mentors, specialized workshops, and curated coaching sessions, will be hosting a Demo Day of its latest cohort during NOLA x NOLA on October 3
• 1834 Ventures has launched a $20 million early-stage fund dedicated to Tulane University alumni, faculty, and the extended community. 1834 has closed $4.4 million, and has two investments already complete – Cabana, a digital mental health platform relocating to New Orleans, and Orion Longevity, a smart sleep technology firm
• Making the connection between entrepreneurship and civic leadership, The Nieux Society will be hosting a September 11 forum for members with the New Orleans mayoral candidates
• Startup St. Bernard will hold its 11th annual pitch competition on Aug. 21 at Nunez Community College, with finalists Limpiar, Salubata, and The Levee Shack competing for a prize package historically valued at more than $100,000
• Finally, the BioChallenge, on Oct. 30, will bring neuro-focused life-science startups to New Orleans as part of the BIO on the Bayou symposium, offering pitch coaching, investor exposure, and national visibility for emerging companies

More information on the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Greater New Orleans can be found at StartupNOLA, or interested individuals can email Evie Poitevent, VP of Innovation & Entrepreneurship at GNO, Inc.