ICYMI: 1834 Ventures Launches $20M Fund to Back Startups from Tulane Alumni and Extended Community

NEW ORLEANS, La.  — 1834 Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm, has announced the launch of its inaugural $20 million fund to invest in startups founded by Tulane University alumni, faculty, and extended community— including those who have engaged with Tulane programs, partnerships, or innovation initiatives.

1834 Ventures has completed a $4.4 million first close, with 30 investors across 11 states. The fund has already backed its first two startups and is actively sourcing new opportunities. By leveraging Tulane’s national alumni network, 1834 Ventures is channeling capital into Louisiana with the goal of building a more vibrant startup ecosystem, diversifying the state’s economy, reversing brain drain, and relocating companies back home.

“With the Louisiana Opportunity Funds we’re not just growing our economy — we’re crafting an ecosystem that will bring our best and brightest back to Louisiana,” Chief Innovation Officer Josh Fleig said. “By pairing capital with innovation, we’re ensuring more Louisianans can build their business and their future right here at home.”

Named after the founding year of Tulane University, 1834 Ventures is not affiliated with the university but was created to support and invest in innovation emerging from its extended community. With over $80 billion in enterprise value generated by alumni-led businesses, the fund aims to tap into a robust alumni network yet undercapitalized entrepreneurial pipeline.

“This announcement is an excellent example of how long-anticipated SSBCI resources are now flowing into the market through investments from a venture firm managed right here in New Orleans,” President and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. Michael Hecht said. “One of SSBCI’s greatest successes in Louisiana has been sparking the creation of brand-new venture capital firms, of which 1834 Ventures is now the fourth to launch. Investments like these will help our market reach its full potential, which is why GNO, Inc. has worked hard to ensure investors know how to leverage this opportunity, and that the program truly meets the needs of our market.”

1834 Ventures also operates as a Louisiana Opportunity Funds partnership with the Louisiana Economic Development Corporation (LEDC), with public to private capital match provided through the U.S. Treasury’s State Small Business Credit Initiative.

Read the full press release here.

About 1834 Ventures
1834 Ventures is a community-rooted venture capital firm based in New Orleans. Its $20 million early-stage fund backs startups founded by members of the Tulane University alumni and community network. As an SSBCI-designated fund in partnership with Louisiana Economic Development, 1834 Ventures seeks to invest in scalable businesses while fueling innovation, retention, and talent attraction across the state.

About Louisiana Innovation <LA.IO>
We’re here to ensure that our state’s unique business and policy strengths support an ongoing tradition of Louisiana innovation. We exist to support and celebrate the work that is transforming local challenges into global-scale solutions. We are LA.IO, where bold thinking, ingenuity, and practical action meet to create meaningful impact. For more information, please visit LA.IO.

About LED
Louisiana Economic Development is responsible for strengthening the state’s business environment and creating a more vibrant Louisiana economy. LED cultivates jobs and economic opportunity for the people of Louisiana, and promotes business opportunity for employers of all sizes. For more information, visit OpportunityLouisiana.com.