Best Small Business Resources in the Baton Rouge Area

Starting a business is a life-changing experience. Louisiana has dozens of great resources to help entrepreneurs get started. Our team researched and vetted organizations in the Baton Rouge area and compiled our list of recommended resources in this article.
You can also read our guide to starting a business in Louisiana.
Resources Available in your Area
Dixie Business Center
Here are the Principle Service Areas:
Description
Dixie Business Center is a nonprofit business incubator dedicated to foster small business growth and creation; it offers coworking spaces at low cost for aspiring entrepreneurs, as well as a range of consulting services in market research, aid in seeking finance, as well as other business resources.
Works with Companies in These Stages:

Idea

Planning

Startup

Growth
CONTACT INFORMATION:
1810 S Range Ave.
Denham Springs, LA 70726
225-665-0809
info@dixiebusinesscenter.org
Baton Rouge SCORE
Here are the Principle Service Areas:
Offers Free Service
Description
SCORE (Service Corp of Retired Executives) is a leading, nation-wide organization that has assisted millions of entrepreneurs over its 50+ years of operation. SCORE is a resource partner of the SBA that offers access to a network of experienced business leaders who donate time to mentor entrepreneurs and small business owners. They also host free or inexpensive workshops online and at 300 local chapters around the United States. Mentoring can be conducted either in person or remotely and is always free and confidential, no matter how often you take advantage of this service.
Works with Companies in These Stages:

Idea

Planning

Startup

Growth
Creative Bloc
Here are the Principle Service Areas:
Description
The Creative Bloc is a modern, flexible coworking space that allows entrepreneurs to interact with each other. It has various packages for shared spaces, team workspace and single working tables.
Restrictions
Industry focus on audio, video, film, design, photography, communications and graphic arts.
Works with Companies in These Stages:

Idea

Planning

Startup

Growth
CONTACT INFORMATION:
804 Main St.
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
225-397-2744
info@thecreativebloc.org
Louisiana Technology Park
Here are the Principle Service Areas:
Description
The Louisiana Technology Park has been around since 2001 and is built to support high tech growth in the region. The organization has a wide range of networks to support all entrepreneurs who are accepted to work in their space; with an incubator program as well as other tech-oriented assistance, the Louisiana Technology Park is a premier resource for tech-based entrepreneurs.
Restrictions
The Louisiana Technology Park works exclusively with technology-oriented businesses in Louisiana.
Works with Companies in These Stages:

Idea

Planning

Startup

Growth
CONTACT INFORMATION:
7117 Florida Boulevard
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
225-218-1100
info@latechpark.com
HOURS OF OPERATION:
MON - THU: 8 am - 5 pm
FRI: 8 am - 4 pm
LSBDC at Southern University Baton Rouge
Here are the Principle Service Areas:
Offers Free Service
Description
The greatest strength of the SBDC is their free, confidential, 1-on-1 business mentoring for anyone who seeks it. Sometimes in order to be considered for mentoring from one of their professional business advisors, you may have to attend a class/workshop or at least present your business plan. SBDC's are located all throughout the state and you should use the SBDC closest to your location if possible, but you can often transfer to a different location if they do not fit your needs.
Works with Companies in These Stages:

Idea

Planning

Startup

Growth
LSU Innovation Park
Here are the Principle Service Areas:
Offers Free Service
Description
The Louisiana State University's Innovation Park is a thriving hub of entrepreneurship, offering a range of services and office spaces to its students as well as non-university affiliates. The Incubation program allows tech start-ups to have a home and develop their product under a careful expert eye, while other entrepreneurs can seek out counseling from the Innovation Parks business advisors for free.
Restrictions
Must be a Louisiana based business. In order to be considered for the incubation program, must be a technology-based business.
Works with Companies in These Stages:

Idea

Planning

Startup

Growth
CONTACT INFORMATION:
8000 Innovation Park Dr.
Baton Rouge, LA 70820
225-578-7555
lbtc@lsu.edu
HOURS OF OPERATION:
MON - FRI: 8 am - 5 pm
The Louisiana Emerging Technology Center
Here are the Principle Service Areas:
Description
The Louisiana Emerging Technology Center is a large facility that offers wet laboratory spaces for entrepreneurs in need for the development of their business ideas. Beyond the lab space, the center also offers consulting services for legality and funding based issues as well as other administrative services.
Restrictions
Industry focus on biotechnology, life sciences, agricultural and environmental industries.
Works with Companies in These Stages:

Idea

Planning

Startup

Growth
The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture
Here are the Principle Service Areas:
Description
The LSU AgCenter Incubator is a space specifically created for food products oriented entrepreneurs in need of lab spaces and technical assistance. The incubator provides a variety of testing spaces for all types of measures needed to develop a finalized, legal product, as well as office spaces for administrative uses.
Restrictions
Food industry focus.
Works with Companies in These Stages:

Idea

Planning

Startup

Growth
CONTACT INFORMATION:
106 Martin D. Woodin Hall
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
225-578-4161
web@agcenter.lsu.edu
HOURS OF OPERATION:
MON - FRI: 8 am - 4:30 pm