[lbi_inline_note timestamp=”9:56am on April 28, 2015″]ISTOCK 42241582[/lbi_inline_note]
Although Baton Rouge has been slow to build integrated support for fledgling companies, a true innovation ecosystem is talking shape thanks to concerted efforts among business, community and education leaders to coordinate resources and foster an entrepreneurial spirit in the area. Strides have been made in the Capital Region’s promotion of entrepreneurial ventures and startups through the success and growth of celebrations like Baton Rouge Entrepreneur Week and the arrival of new resources in the startup market like Innovation Catalyst.
“The way I see Baton Rouge right now is that I feel like we are ready to launch,” says Dima Ghawi, the talent development manager for IBM in Baton Rouge who serves on the board of directors for the Research Park Corporation. Baton Rouge’s economic potential and growing pool of young talent has attracted corporate entities like IBM, which is building an application development center in downtown Baton Rouge. The Capital Region is buzzing with leadership and activity and is on its way to sustainable innovation.
RESOURCES
Baton Rouge Area SCORE
This nonprofit association provides free and confidential business counseling tailored to meet the needs of small business and their personal objectives. SCORE also offers periodic seminars and workshops for both start-up entrepreneurs and small businesses already in operation.
batonrougearea.score.org/
(225) 381-7130
Louisiana Business and Technology Center
Located south of the LSU campus on 200 acres in LSU Innovation Park, the LBTC is one of the best resources in the area for entrepreneurs and small businesses. The center provides comprehensive consulting and counseling services, and also has office and shared work space available in five separate incubators, including one just for LSU students.(see list below)
sites01.lsu.edu/wp/innovationpark/about-lbtc/
(225) 578-7555
Innovation Catalyst
Innovation Catalyst, formerly Step One Ventures, is a Baton Rouge based nonprofit venture development Organization formed by community leaders to strengthen and broaden Louisiana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and to drive new high-tech company formation through education, connections and capital. By collaborating with existing resources in the state, Innovation Catalyst is able to identify, engage and educate Louisiana entrepreneurs connecting them to the right sources to accelerate their business.
(844) 225-4332
INCUBATORS
Louisiana Business and Technology Center
This 25,000-square-foot incubator houses some 30 startups in LSU Innovation Park, and has several separate specialty incubators under it.
sites01.lsu.edu/wp/innovationpark/about-lbtc/
(225) 578-7555
Louisiana Technology Park
This business incubator located in Bon Carré Business Center on Florida Boulevard specializes in providing high-tech startup companies with the resources to bring their products and services to market faster. Louisiana Technology Park also offers a separate digital media incubator, Level Up Lab.
latechpark.com
(225) 218-1100
Edible Enterprises
This commercial kitchen and food production incubator in Norco services emerging food ventures between Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
Edibleenterprises.org
(985) 764-1504
Louisiana Emerging Technology Center
This incubator specializes in companies with wet-lab needs and also focuses on commercializing university technologies. It is under the umbrella of the Louisiana Business and Technology Center and is located near the John Parker Ag Center on the LSU campus.
laetc.com
(225) 615-8901
LSU AgCenter Food Incubator
This business incubator specializes in the development of emerging food ventures. It is under the umbrella of the Louisiana Business and Technology Center and is located on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge adjacent to the department of food sciences.
lsuagcenter.com/en/our_offices/departments/Food_Science/Extension_Outreach/incubator/
(225) 578-7213
LSU Student Incubator
This small business incubator for LSU undergraduate and graduate students is located in Innovation Park. It is under the umbrella of the Louisiana Business and Technology Center.
sites01.lsu.edu/wp/innovationpark/about-lbtc/lsu-student-incubator/
(225) 578-7555
Pennington BioTech Initiative
This incubator is specifically designed for companies that are creating medical devices, medical software and medial technologies. The initiative is a partnership among LSU, the Louisiana Business and Technology Center and Pennington Biomedical Research Center, which contracts out the use of its labs for a fee to companies in the incubator. It is under the umbrella of the LBTC.
Southeast Louisiana Business Center
This business incubator and resource center for startups in Washington, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Livingston and St. Helena parishes is located on the campus of Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond.
southeastern.edu/admin/slbc/services/index.html
(985) 549-3199
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Dixie Business Center
Founded in 1992 by DEMCO, this Denham Springs incubator helps fledgling businesses compete by providing shared services, as well as 50,000 square feet of office space and warehousing.
dixiebusinesscenter.org/
(225) 665-0809
Louisiana Small Business Development Center at Southern University
Since 1996, the LSBDC has been providing individual consulting services, training programs and seminars, and information assistance to potential and existing small businesses in the Greater Baton Rouge Region.
lsbdc.org/subr/
(225) 774-9213
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COWORKING SITES
Creative Bloc
804 Main St.
(225) 612-2112
