STartUP Northshore

08/26/2026

📢 Calling all Northshore entrepreneurs! Applications are close TONIGHT AT MIDNIGHT for the Fall 2026 session of our world class 12-week accelerator program, IDEAinstitute Northshore. 💡

• Ready to grow? Learn advanced strategies to scale your operations, enhance your business model, and expand your market reach. Benefit from tailored coaching sessions that address the unique challenges of scaling up.

• Got an idea? Turn it into a scalable venture with engaging weekly modules, thought-provoking articles, one-on-one coaching sessions, and actionable worksheets to guide your growth.

• Connect with a vibrant community of entrepreneurs and gain special access to in-person events that accelerate your network.
• Learn from guest speakers, including The Idea Village alumni and local industry leaders.

• Show off your business at the IDEAinstitute Pitch Night for a chance to win a cash prize!

Don't let this chance slip away. Apply by midnight TONIGHT to be part of a community that's shaping the future of entrepreneurship on the Northshore.

Learn more and apply: https://hubs.ly/Q04rshHs0

08/25/2026

Growing a business means building a team—and having the right foundation in place to support it.

Join Jared Miguez and Lauren Kaufmann Navarre of Arena Collective tomorrow for Employment Fundamentals, a practical workshop covering the policies, agreements, and employment practices that help businesses grow with confidence.

Jared is a Louisiana attorney and co-founder of Arena Collective with experience in business-focused legal services, while Lauren serves as Arena Collective's co-founder and COO/CFO and brings experience in business law and international corporate negotiations focused on helping local businesses thrive.

📅 August 26, 2026
🕛 12–2 PM
📍 Palette Northshore

Build a strong team on solid employment foundation. 🚀

08/24/2026

🚨 Applications for IDEAinstitute Northshore close this Wednesday, August 26 at 11:59 p.m.! 🚨

🤔 Curious what the experience is like? Don't take our word for it, listen to what our alumni founders have to say!

💡Learn more and apply: https://hubs.ly/Q04rt-B50

08/21/2026

🚀 Big recognition for Louisiana’s startup ecosystem!

Congratulations to The Idea Village on being named one of TIME’s America’s Best Incubators & Accelerators 2026.

When founders have access to the right mentors, resources, networks, and capital, great companies can be built right here at home. 👏

Check out the story below!

The Idea Village Named Top U.S. Incubator

The Idea Village, a key partner in Louisiana’s statewide effort to help entrepreneurs launch and scale high-growth companies, has been named one of TIME’s America’s Best Incubators & Accelerators 2026.

“This recognition affirms what we’ve believed for more than two decades: world-class companies can be built anywhere when founders have access to the right resources, networks and community. For 25 years, we’ve been building that infrastructure in the Gulf South, one founder at a time."

More here: https://bizneworleans.com/the-idea-village-named-top-u-s-incubator/

08/21/2026

Build your business. Refine your story. Step onto the stage.

Throughout IDEAinstitute Northshore, you’ll get hands-on support developing your pitch deck and sharpening how you communicate your vision.

At the end of the program, select founders will take the stage at Pitch Night for the opportunity to present to investors, gain visibility, and compete for startup funding.

Learn more and apply: https://hubs.ly/Q04rsdGC0

08/20/2026

Growing a business means building a team—and having the right foundation in place to support it.

Join Jared Miguez and Lauren Kaufmann Navarre of Arena Collective for Employment Fundamentals, a practical workshop covering the policies, agreements, and employment practices that help businesses grow with confidence.

Jared is a Louisiana attorney and co-founder of Arena Collective with experience in business-focused legal services, while Lauren serves as Arena Collective's co-founder and COO/CFO and brings experience in business law and international corporate negotiations focused on helping local businesses thrive.

📅 August 26, 2026
🕛 12–2 PM
📍 Palette Northshore

Build a strong team on solid employment foundation. 🚀

08/19/2026

Every business journey includes an exit, and the key is knowing when the time is right.

An exit strategy involves timing, preparation, and alignment with your goals. If your business is delivering the financial outcomes that you set out to achieve, operating smoothly without heavy day-to-day involvement, and backed by consistent revenue and strong leadership, you may be ready for transition if your passion has shifted or your goals have changed.

Whether you choose to sell, close, or pursue a new opportunity, the decision should be intentional. Evaluate your financial position, assess market conditions, and make sure your business is positioned for a smooth transition. A well-planned exit is not the end of the journey, but rather the start of what comes next.

Learn more at https://startupnorthshore.com/exit-my-business -11

Book free business counseling with our team: [email protected]/?ismsaljsauthenabled" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://bookings.cloud.microsoft/book/[email protected]/?ismsaljsauthenabled

08/18/2026

🎉 We’re excited to continue the Northshore Capital Ready Initiative tomorrow with our upcoming workshop: Funding Your Business!

Understanding how lenders evaluate your business is critical when it comes to accessing capital. In this session, Daniel Hamala, Senior Vice President at Hancock Whitney Bank specializing in SBA and USDA business development across the Gulf Coast, and Kelly Raney, who leads Louisiana Economic Development’s Business Incentives Services division and SSBCI Programs, will walk entrepreneurs through what lenders look for, how to reduce risk, and how to position a business for funding success.

You’ll gain insight into:

• Business funding options
• Financial readiness preparation
• Lender expectations
• SSBCI funding programs
• Capital strategy development
• Common funding mistakes

Whether you’re preparing for your first loan or looking to strengthen your financial strategy, this workshop offers clear, practical guidance you can apply immediately.
📅 August 19, 2026
🕚 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Palette Northshore

✨ Take the next step toward accessing capital and growing your business.

08/17/2026

🌱Looking to grow your business idea with the support of experienced mentors?

Join the Fall 2026 cohort of IDEAinstitute Northshore, a 12-week accelerator designed to help early-stage founders like you turn ideas into action.

🔑 One of the most powerful aspects of this program? Mentorship.

From seasoned entrepreneurs to subject matter experts, you'll connect 1:1 to help you avoid the pitfalls, fast-track your progress, and stay accountable to your goals.

✨ Whether you’re validating your idea, building your first product, or preparing to launch, this program surrounds you with the structure, community, and mentorship you need to take the next big step.

💡 Learn more: https://hubs.ly/Q04rrtQ30

🕒 Applications are due Wednesday, August 26 by 11:59 p.m. Apply Now → https://hubs.ly/Q04rrzTv0

08/14/2026

🗣️ Here at STartUP Northshore we recently welcomed entrepreneurs to Raising the Round: Official Louisiana Opportunity Capital Workshop, presented by Ricco Mendes. In partnership with Louisiana Economic Development, the workshop brought founders and small business owners together to explore the capital-raising process and better understand opportunities for growth as part of the Northshore Capital Ready Initiative (NCRI).

Participants gained valuable insight into investor expectations, the capital-raising process, and key considerations for early-stage fundraising.

Through initiatives like NCRI, we are working with partners across the region and state to equip entrepreneurs with the knowledge, resources, and connections needed to make informed funding decisions and build investment-ready businesses.

Thank you to Ricco Mendes for sharing his expertise, providing valuable insights into the capital-raising process, and conducting a live pitch deck review that gave founders real-time feedback and actionable takeaways. We also thank Palette Northshore, our host partner, for providing a space for entrepreneurs to connect and learn, and Louisiana Economic Development for its continued commitment to supporting entrepreneurs across the state.