Best Small Business Resources in the New Orleans Area

Description

South University at New Orleans offers great support for entrepreneurs through the Small Business Development & Management Institute; the institute offers an incubator space, with offices available for use at a discounted rate, as well as a range of in-person counseling services.  These services cover areas such as loan packaging, business management, marketing, financing, accounting, strategic planning, regulations, and taxation.

Restrictions

Participants must be a member of Louisiana Economic Development in order to attend certain classes. 

Description

The Culture Up initiative is created to foster businesses and entities in the creative industry, connecting cultural innovators with a beautiful office space and various amenities.  Culture Up has a large network of mentors who will be able to provide support to aspiring entrepreneurs interested in partaking in the space. Also has a small loan program.

Restrictions

Industry restriction for cultural or creative industries with revenues less than $500,000 per year.

Description

Formerly the Good Work Network, Go.Be. offers a variety of programming and mentorship to aspiring entrepreneurs. Its membership cost is free and open to all through an application, and once becoming a member one has access to various training events and counseling services in business planning. 

Restrictions

Targetted to serve minorities and women.

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.

Description

The New Orleans Bio Innovation Center is a non-profit established to support Lousianna entrepreneurs in biotech field.  The center offers range of services to foster business growth and estabalishment, with consulting services in legal assistance, finance, networking and business planning. 

Restrictions

Restriction for start-ups developing biotech, digital health, and clean technologies.

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.

Description

The Newcorp Inc. is a non-profit organization that offers loans to small and emerging businesses, primarily serving minorities and women business owners.  Along with its many loan programs, it offers services in mentoring in areas such as marketing, accounting, financial planning and general business planning. 

Restrictions

Works only with businesses in Louisiana.

Description

The Propeller offers various programs, including coworking spaces, as well as incubator and accelerator programs for entrepreneurs in varied stages of starting their businesses.  Its 12-week startup and accelerator programs are accepted on application basis with industry restrictions, while the coworking spaces are open to all industries. 

Restrictions

Some programs are restricted to companies tackling disparities in food, water, health, and education systems.

Description

The Idea Village offers two programs that allow entrepreneurs to have face-to-face mentorship from the organization's experienced mentors, IDEAx and IDEAsessions.  IDEAx is a six-month-long accelerator program that offers mentoring and funding opportunities for competitive entrepreneurs in beginning stages of business planning to have full support in the development of their ideas.  IDEAsessions is a 60-minute long session with a group of business experts, meant for established businesses.  

Restrictions

Members are admitted via application only.

Description

Women's Business Centers are nationwide programs established by the SBA to assist women in starting small businesses. Some of these centers are combined with other local organizations and use that relationship to offer even more services. Each Women's Business Center has counselors who can provide mentorship and assistance with business planning. Women’s Business Centers also provide a network of other businesses, and some have loan programs available

Restrictions

The Women's Business Centers are, as the name implies, meant for women primarily.