Opportunity Machine

05/29/2026

The secret to growing a tech startup?

Community. Network. Follow-through.

At Innovate South 2026, Jeremy Beyt of ThreeSixtyEight reminded us that real relationships are built by helping first, staying connected, and showing up with intention.

That is exactly why Builder Program 1.0 exists.

If you have a tech startup idea or a validated business, interest forms for our Summer 2026 Builder 1.0 cohort close this Friday, May 29.

De-risk your model. Talk to real customers. Build your foundation for 2026.

05/25/2026

Your idea needs a test.

Most well-built products fail because they solve a problem that does not exist in the market. Opportunity Machine's Builder Program is an accelerator designed to help you replace guessing with hard evidence. We provide the structure to help you test your concept with real customers before you invest your time and capital.

The summer cohort deadline is approaching quickly.

Book a brief discovery call today to see if your idea is ready for the next step >>> https://loom.ly/WWOLZOA

05/22/2026

A big part of the Opportunity Machine experience is getting direct, one-on-one access to mentors who know the process, inside and out.

Today, we are highlighting branding expert and OM mentor, Jaci Russo.

As the co-founder and CEO of Lafayette-based agency brandRUSSO, Jaci brings over 25 years of experience working with national and international clients. She is a published author, a speaker, and the founder of the University of Louisiana’s NIL management program, ULTRA.

We're so thankful to have such an amazing mentor on board with us!

05/21/2026

You've heard us say it a thousand times before, but we'll say it again. Stop guessing. Value Proposition Design is the essential field guide for any founder tired of relying on "gut feelings."

This book introduces the Value Proposition Canvas, a practical tool to help you map out your customers' deepest pains and gains, and ensure your product is the perfect solution.

Build something you know people want and check it out in the OM Library

05/20/2026

Check out this opportunity!

Southern University Law Center (SULC) is hosting a free walk-in Business and Intellectual Property clinic in New Orleans on May 22, running 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Businesses, artists, and entrepreneurs can sit down one-on-one with business and IP attorneys to receive guidance on entity formation, contracts, trademarks, copyrights, compliance, and more.

RSVP here >>> https://loom.ly/DVCvbho

05/18/2026

Stop guessing; start testing.

Too many great ideas fail because they are built on assumptions rather than evidence. The Builder Program is a nine-week accelerator for industry experts and problem solvers who want to de-risk their concepts before committing significant capital. You do not need to be a technical genius or have a polished business plan to apply. You need a problem you are obsessed with solving.

The summer cohort deadline is May 29th!

Stop wondering if your idea will work and start collecting the data to prove it. Book a discovery call today to take the next step >>> https://loom.ly/WWOLZOA

05/12/2026

Capital alone does not build great companies. People do.

Jared Quoyeser, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Louisiana Impact Fund, said it clearly.

LIF just announced the CxO Leadership Program: 15 emerging Louisiana leaders. 9 months. Statewide residencies. Practical curriculum for operating roles inside investor-backed, founder-led, growth-stage companies.

Funded by LED. Operated by GrowthX Academy. Built with LIF.

Louisiana does not only need companies to stay here. It needs the people who run them to stay here.

Opportunity Machine works with founders early. Talk. Test. Build. Report. Repeat. We help them get to evidence before the raise, before the first key hire, before the product they think they're building is the one customers actually want.

LIF is building what comes next. Founders need operators. Operators need a path.

Webinar: May 21, 12 PM CT.

05/11/2026

We’re beyond proud to share that our Executive Director, Destin Ortego, has been named to Technical.ly’s RealLIST Connectors for Louisiana!

This feature spotlights the leaders who are putting Louisiana’s tech ecosystem on the map, fostering the connections that turn "culturally rich cities" into thriving hubs of innovation. From Lafayette to New Orleans and Baton Rouge, the 2026 class represents the stalwarts of the local startup scene.

05/08/2026

As the excitement settles over Innovate South 2026, we look back on our most impactful conference yet. Over three days in Downtown Lafayette, we saw the powerful intersection of high-growth strategy and Acadiana’s unique culture.

300 unique attendees
22 one-on-one meetings facilitated between founders, mentors, speakers, & investors
6 pitches from emerging startups
$25,500 in non-dilutive funding awarded

The momentum doesn't stop here. Let’s take these connections and turn them into the next big success stories!

05/07/2026

OM Alumni FlyGuys Launches “Reality: Behind the Flight,” A New Podcast Exploring the World of Reality...

Check out the new podcast here >>> https://loom.ly/cXm2iq0

Why launch a podcast about reality data capture?In the debut episode of Reality: Behind the Flight, FlyGuys COO DaCoda Bartels sits down with CMO Whitney Sav...