New Orleans Startup Fund
Impact investorNew Orleans · Pre-Seed–Seed · 11 people tracked
Investment thesis
The New Orleans Startup Fund focuses on backing and guiding early-stage ventures that are positioned to generate economic prosperity and create jobs across the greater New Orleans region. Its mission centers on regional economic development, supporting entrepreneurs whose companies can contribute to the local economy.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
Team · 11 people
from the firm's website
What they invest in
from 26 of 34 portfolio companiesSaaS ×8Direct to Consumer ×4Biotech ×3Climate Tech ×3Consumer ×3Data & Infrastructure ×3E-commerce ×3Fintech ×3
HQs:United States×15
Who they back
founder profiles across 7 portfolio companiesAccelerator rootsportfolio companies that came through a program
Investments · 34 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2021 · 12016 · 23 dated
Actual.ly provides musicians and artists a link-in-bio replacement that uses trivia and quizzes to verify genuine fans and build a fan CRM with names, phone numbers, and locations.
Creator EconomyMedia & EntertainmentSaaS
Advano manufactures silicon-based anode materials for lithium-ion batteries that improve energy density and reduce costs for electric vehicles.
Advanced ManufacturingCleantechClimate TechNew Orleans, US
Shiva Adireddy(Founder/CTO)inAlexander Girau(Founder)in
Co-investorsAAF Management Ltd.Boot64 VenturesFifty YearsGlobivestInnovation CatalystPartech Ventures+1 more
Media & Entertainment
BioAesthetics develops NACgraft, a cell-free, collagen-rich nipple-areolar complex graft that a surgeon applies so the patient's own cells integrate it into living nipple and areola tissue.
BiotechHealthtechMedical DevicesNew Materials
Juliana Blum(CEO & Director)Billy Heim(COO)
Co-investorsFemHealth VenturesHemi Ventures, LlcJoyance PartnersThe Launch PlaceIndieBio
Bioceptive develops women's health medical devices, including a patented FDA-approved Cervical Suction Retractor that replaces the tenaculum for gynecological procedures and an IUD inserter, offering single-use disposable instruments aimed at reducing pain during transcervical procedures.
BiotechFemTechHealthtechMedical DevicesNew Orleans, US
Shuchi Khurana(Executive Officer)Benjamin Cappiello(Executive Officer, Director)John Hardman(Director)Stewart Davis(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardJoan Neuscheler(Director)Joseph Lovett(Director)
Co-investorsLouisiana Funds
CapWay was a fintech company focused on creating inclusive financial access, but the company has ceased operations.
FintechSaaSAtlanta, US
Sheena Allen(Founder)in
Co-investorsStacked CapitalY CombinatorBackstage CapitalFearless FundIndicator VenturesInitialized Capital+2 more
ICONIC makes ready-to-drink protein shakes and protein powders featuring 20g of grass-fed milk protein, zero added sugar, and no artificial sweeteners.
Direct to ConsumerFoodTechWellness & Fitness
El Guapo makes craft cocktail bitters, mixers, syrups, cordials, and cocktail kits, along with related merchandise and gift sets sold direct to consumers.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerE-commerceNew Orleans, US
Christa Cotton(CEO)
Gilded is a crypto payments and invoicing platform that helps finance teams manage accounts payable and receivable workflows using blockchain-based transactions.
Crypto & Web3FintechNew Orleans, US
Co-investorsChain ReactionRed Beard VenturesTechstars
Gold Leaf Energy Systems is a North American energy consultant, distributor, and installer of eco-friendly products that help commercial and industrial facilities cut energy, water, and emissions costs.
CleantechClimate TechEnergy
Ingest is a data management and analytics platform designed for restaurants and food & beverage businesses.
Data & InfrastructureFoodTechNew York, US
Daniel Meth(Executive Officer, Director)Linus Liang(Executive Officer, Director)
Co-investors7BC Venture CapitalBoot64 VenturesBranded Strategic HospitalityMu VenturesPathbreaker Ventures
Levelset provides a lien rights management and notice automation platform for credit and finance teams in the construction industry, helping materials suppliers, equipment rental companies, subcontractors, and general contractors protect payments and track lien deadlines.
Construction TechFintechSaaS
Co-investorsBrick Mortar VenturesGrand VenturesHorizons VenturesS3 VenturesAltos Ventures
Network of freestanding self-service kiosks dispensing portable battery packs for on-the-go smartphone charging.
New Orleans, US
Jason Palmer(Executive Officer, Director)Michael C. Melito(Executive Officer, Director)Sean Carrigan(Executive Officer, Director)
Co-investorsInnovation Catalyst
Musos is a licensable music library that connects filmmakers with local songwriters, musicians, and producers to source tracks for film.
Creator EconomyMarketplacesMedia & EntertainmentNew Orleans, US
LifeCity is a sustainability consulting firm that helps governments and organizations measure, manage, and communicate their social and environmental impact through data analysis, waste audits, goal setting, storytelling, and impact-tracking software.
Climate TechImpact & Social GoodSaaS
HealthtechNew York, US
Mette Dyhrberg(Executive Officer, Director)Mara Babin(Executive Officer)Melinda Decker(Executive Officer)Michael Kaswan(Executive Officer)Gillian Sandler(Director)Marie Klok Crump(Director)
Pet Krewe sells pet food products for cats and dogs, including purées, minced wet food, and freeze-dried treats.
Advanced ManufacturingConsumerDirect to ConsumerE-commerceNew Orleans, US
Allison Ward(Executive Officer, Director)ALLISON ALBERT(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardSteve Mech(Director)in
Co-investorsCSA Partners LLC
Co-investorsLumos Capital Group
Quarrio offers a deterministic AI system that answers plain-English business questions across enterprise data sources such as CRM, ERP, and data warehouses, aiming for verified, auditable results without hallucinations.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureEnterprise Software
KG Charles-Harris(CEO)Dr. Earl Sacerdoti(Chief Scientist)Jim Cates(Chief Product Officer)
Co-investorsBackstage CapitalInnovation Catalyst
Rep Data's Research Defender provides pre-survey fraud prevention for market research teams, scanning and scoring each survey respondent against 130+ signals to block bots, VPN users, repeat fraudsters, and hyperactive respondents before they enter a questionnaire.
CybersecurityData & InfrastructureSaaS
Co-investorsInnovation Catalyst
Resilia is a SaaS platform providing capacity-building tools, coaching, and insights for nonprofits and foundations.
Impact & Social GoodSaaS
Sevetri Wilson
Co-investorsBIP VenturesCallais Capital ManagementFramework Venture PartnersNext Wave ImpactOpen Opportunity FundTech Square Ventures+3 more
Servato develops hardware, software, and predictive analytics for critical infrastructure monitoring and maintenance, including a Platform-as-a-Service that predicts system failures and an Adaptive Charging feature that extends telecom battery life.
EnergyHardwareIoTSaaSNew Orleans, US
MARK CHRISTOPHER MANGUM(Executive Officer, Director)RONALD LAU(Executive Officer)Chris Mangum(President & CEO)Eric Hedlund(Chief Sales Officer)Dorion Carr(Chief Technology Officer)Roy Clingman(Chief Business Development Officer)
Co-investorsLouisiana FundsVenture Center Arkansas
STEM NOLA is a nonprofit (501c3) that runs cost-free, hands-on STEM education programs delivered in schools, homes, and communities, aimed at K-12 students, families, and college students—particularly those in under-resourced and minority communities.
EdTechImpact & Social GoodNew Orleans, US
Vital Signs Media provides battery-powered sunscreen and hand sanitizer kiosks for festivals, parks, and outdoor venues, offering guests free access to reef-safe SPF while reducing single-use plastic waste.
AdTechHardwareWellness & Fitness
TrayAway is a technology platform for hospitality service operations, starting with room service tray retrieval and extending to in-room ordering, pool and beach service, meeting room requests, and on-demand restaurant items.
HardwareSaaSTravel & Hospitality
Josh Johnston(Founding CEO)
Co-investorsInnovation CatalystElevate Capital
Exits · 1
IPOs and acquisitions across the tracked portfolioGildedacq. by Bitwave
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companies
Gilded · theglobeandmail.com · Jul 13, 2026
BioAesthetics · insights.tryspecter.com · Jun 24, 2025
Levelset · thegtmnewsletter.substack.com · Mar 10, 2025
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has New Orleans Startup Fund made?
- New Orleans Startup Fund has 34 tracked investments, 1 of which have exited via acquisition or IPO.
- What stage does New Orleans Startup Fund invest at?
- New Orleans Startup Fund invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed stages.
- What sectors does New Orleans Startup Fund focus on?
- New Orleans Startup Fund focuses on Impact & Social Good, Sector Agnostic.
- Where is New Orleans Startup Fund located?
- New Orleans Startup Fund is headquartered in New Orleans, US.
- Who does New Orleans Startup Fund co-invest with?
- New Orleans Startup Fund most often shares deals with Innovation Catalyst, Boot64 Ventures, Louisiana Funds, among 34 tracked co-investors.
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