New Orleans Entrepreneur Week kicks off with free training for startups
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Have an idea for a business in New Orleans? Several groups want to help you succeed.
Why it matters: New Orleans Entrepreneur Week, which starts Monday, will be a central hub for resources.
The big picture: NOEW is a free conference with events across the city for entrepreneurs at all stages — from those with an idea on a napkin to startups looking to grow.
- There are sessions and summits all week for Black-owned businesses, women-led ventures, musicians, hospitality folks and food concepts.
- The main NOEW Summit is Thursday and Friday at Loyola and is packed with events, including a job fair.
- Searching for inspiration? Check out the Founders' Stage on Friday at Loyola to hear TED Talk-style presentations from successful business owners.
What they're seeing: Many new businesses in New Orleans are focusing on AI, climate tech, consumer goods, music tech and culture, says Liz Maxwell, co-producer of NOEW and senior director of strategic initiatives at The Idea Village.
Advice to entrepreneurs: "Starting your own business is a real way to invest in yourself," Maxwell tells Axios. "Believe in your own ideas. There's a lot that you can control in your own business."
- "It's not an easy path, but it is something that you can kind of take the reins over."
Outside of NOEW, try these places for help all year:
- The Idea Village has multiple options, including a 10-week program to help coach business owners on what they need to do to scale and be successful.
- Propeller focuses on growing businesses and nonprofits that tackle social and environmental disparities in the city.
- Tulane's Innovation Institute offers coaching, accelerator programs and online training. There's a bookkeeping webinar on Wednesday.
- GNO Inc. has a resource guide for small and medium-size businesses.
- The Beach at UNO has a program to help wind energy startups with business planning, regulatory guidance and grant development.
- The New Orleans Technology Incubator is a partnership with Opportunity Hub and GNO Inc. to develop energy startups and connect them with venture capitalists.
- Food business incubators: There's one in New Orleans and another in the works in Jefferson Parish.
Go deeper: More NOEW sessions