Entrepreneurship can be an exciting and daunting journey filled with opportunity, uncertainty and risk. But that journey isn’t easy: entrepreneurs face formidable challenges in securing funding, navigating regulatory hurdles and building a sustainable customer base. 

This journey takes a toll on founders’ health and wellness. According to a Capital One survey, nearly half of small-business owners reported experiencing burnout ‌the previous month. Additionally, the report goes on, approximately 7 in 10 small-business owners report at least some mental, physical and emotional exhaustion caused by the stress of running a business.

On top of these challenges, entrepreneurs often feel alone on their journey. Belonging to a community helps founders network and discover resources they didn’t know were available to them. But walking the walk alone prevents many entrepreneurs from finding the resources and support they need. 

In fact, according to a joint report from the U.S. Chamber Small Business Index and MetLife, one of the primary barriers to securing small-business funding is simply not having enough information about available sources of capital. 

The entrepreneurial journey is a complex and demanding one. Having a community of peers, mentors and supporters provides the guidance, resources and emotional support founders like you need to increase your likelihood of success while making the journey more fulfilling.

And that’s exactly what Nexus Louisiana, the South’s premier resource hub for Louisiana entrepreneurs looking to begin and scale their startups, can do for you. NexusLA’s mission is to accelerate the growth of high-potential companies by providing them with coaching, capital and connections.

Find out how Nexus Louisiana can empower your growth at every stage of the entrepreneurial life cycle, whether you’re a solopreneur starting out or a venture-backed company looking to sell.

Count on Support Across All Startup Stages

No matter what stage of the journey you’re on, you need resources and support to carry you through to the next one.

‌NexusLA Tech Park is a tech startup incubator that’s become home to the innovators at the forefront of technology in Louisiana. The Tech Park provides affordable office space, resources, supplies for growing tech companies, and much more: it also helps scale technology-enabled companies by providing coaching and connections to members. 

Upon joining any of Tech Park’s programs, members are surrounded by other high-growth tech startups, creating a synergistic effect in the office that’s priceless.

Becoming a member of the Tech Park offers a great opportunity for tech-based startups to receive the resources and support your startup needs to thrive and grow. The Tech Park provides a collaborative and encouraging environment for entrepreneurs to work on their ideas while receiving valuable feedback and support from in-house coaches as well as their peers.

As a member, startups can gain access to certified growth experts to help them strategize and scale, as well as 24/7 access to workspace and office amenities. Our mentors are hand-picked leaders who specialize in technology, finance, business strategy, venture capital, marketing and more. Through the Ignition Program, NexusLA advisers use GrowthWheel, a visual cloud-based toolbox, to map out business decisions and address challenges. Our personalized coaching program is designed to help entrepreneurs at all stages overcome their barriers to growth.

With these resources, startups can move confidently through the different stages of their lifecycle and realize their full potential.

Baton Rouge Entrepreneurship Week (BREW) is NexusLA’s premier annual event showcasing Louisiana’s entrepreneurs and bringing coaching, capital and connections together in one place. BREW offers an invaluable opportunity for startups to get the guidance and support they need to succeed. Attendees gain access to charismatic keynote speakers, informative seminars and experienced investors. 

Additionally, BREW offers the chance to network with local entrepreneurs and industry experts. This invaluable access to knowledge and resources can help startups develop their business ideas and solidify their competitive edge.

Even if you’re a student and all you have is an idea and a dream, NexusLA has resources for you, too. Venture Capital Apprenticeship Program (VCAP) is an apprenticeship program that enables students to gain practical experience in finance and business-related skills by working on short-term projects with active startups and small businesses. The program is open to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in a participating venture capital course.

Additionally, the BizTech Challenge is a comprehensive, hands-on learning and mentorship program designed to increase innovation and entrepreneurship in STEM-based fields among students attending historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The program aims to build an innovation ecosystem among university administrators, faculty and students. At the end of the program, participants pitch their product ideas for the chance to win a cash prize.

Pitch and Refine Your Concept as a Seed-Stage Startup

Adapting and honing your business concept based on feedback from peers and potential investors is key to laying a strong foundation for future growth and sustainability. Refining your business concept as a seed-stage startup allows you to identify and address potential weaknesses, and it increases your chances of attracting early investors and customers by demonstrating a clear value proposition.

PitchBR is NexusLA’s quarterly pitch competition. The program gives early-stage entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their business in front of a live audience and panel of judges — with one participant taking home a cash prize of $1,000. PitchBR provides a great platform for startups in the seed stage to get the resources and visibility they need to get off the ground.

The process of developing and presenting a pitch provides valuable experience in a low-risk setting. PitchBR allows seed-stage companies the opportunity to gain the attention of investors and potential customers. Additionally, every contestant who participates in PitchBR receives feedback from the judges that they can apply to higher-stake pitches in front of investment firms.

Ignite Your Development as an Early-Stage Startup

Workshopping your business model and achieving a strong product-market fit as an early-stage startup helps guarantee that your offering meets the specific needs of your target audience. This process not only enhances the value you provide to customers but also increases your chances of sustainable growth and long-term success by aligning your resources and strategies with a validated market demand.

Ignition 1.0 is an eight-week business accelerator program that guides entrepreneurs through developing and refining your business model. The program provides hands-on training to help early-stage startup founders gain a better understanding of their target audience. 

Finding your product-market fit is one of the most important steps in your growth. Failure to address a market need is one of the top reasons startups fail, and it is responsible for more than a third (35%) of failed small businesses, according to research from CBInsights.

With the help of Ignition 1.0, early-stage startups can create solutions that meet a valid market need — a key first step to finding your ideal customers and fostering their loyalty to drive growth. You’ll get hands-on practice crafting solutions that resonate with your target audience.

Through Ignition 1.0, participants learn to create a comprehensive and effective business strategy while receiving personalized mentorship every step of the way. 

Build Momentum as a Growth-Stage Startup

Creating a roadmap to funding and profitability as a growth-stage startup provides a clear path for managing resources, scaling operations and achieving sustainable financial health. This roadmap guides decision-making, helps secure investment and ensures that your company can continue to scale while maintaining a focus on profitability.

Ignition 2.0 is designed for companies ready to take the next step — seeking funding. The second half of the Ignition program provides peer learning and mentorship opportunities, as well as meetings with subject matter experts. 

Ignition 2.0 benefits growth-stage startups by providing them with a road map to creating a pitch deck that impresses and gets results. Through the program, entrepreneurs will learn how to engage their audience and communicate their vision to secure the funding they need to scale up their business.

By taking part in Ignition 2.0, growth-stage startups will be able to showcase their potential. The program provides the tools and skills needed to craft a compelling pitch deck that attracts the attention — and investment — of venture capital firms. By participating, you’ll also learn the art of presentation preparation, enabling you to deliver your pitch with confidence and clarity.

Fuel Your Growth as a Scaling, Late-Stage Startup

Pitching and gaining exposure in front of investors as a late-stage startup is crucial for securing the necessary funding to fuel further growth and expansion. It not only validates your company’s potential but also provides access to capital and strategic partnerships that can propel your business to new heights, solidifying its position in the market.

The High-Stakes Pitch Competition, which closes out BREW, is a fan-favorite pitch competition for Louisiana’s most promising startups. Participating in the High-Stakes Pitch Competition provides startups in the scaling and expansion phase with the opportunity to gain exposure to potential investors and to receive an investment prize to help invigorate their business. This competition gives startups access to resources and connections that can help them grow and succeed.

While the High-Stakes Pitch only awards one investment prize, everyone who participates is a winner. Despite the explosion in venture capital investments in 2021, funding for late-stage startups contracted by 43% in 2022. Venture capital investments have continued to trend down in 2023, which is why opportunities like the High-Stakes Pitch Competition are so valuable for local startups. Being selected to pitch in this competition guarantees an audience of high-profile investors — a meeting that many startups struggle to get in the aftermath of economic uncertainty.

Leveraging Nexus Louisiana’s Community for Success

Entrepreneurs in Louisiana have a powerful ally in Nexus Louisiana, which offers a holistic ecosystem of coaching, capital and connections to nurture your venture from conception to scaling and ultimately to a successful exit. With the invaluable support of Nexus Louisiana, local entrepreneurs not only thrive but also play a pivotal role in shaping the state’s dynamic business landscape, fostering innovation, job creation and economic growth for years to come.