Special Programs for Small Business

TurboSquid, New Orleans
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Small Business Programs

From entrepreneurial startups to small business growth and expansion, Louisiana offers a comprehensive array of educational, managerial and financial programs that cultivate small business opportunities.

BONDING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Provides access to quality bid, payment and performance bonds at reasonable rates from surety companies when bonding capacity is needed on public or private jobs.

CEO ROUNDTABLES

Peer groups that give executives the opportunity to discuss business practices and management strategies with other executives who deal with similar growth challenges.

HUDSON INITIATIVE

Certification program offers greater access to purchasing and contracting opportunities at the state government level.

LOUISIANA CONTRACTORS ACCREDITATION INSTITUTE

Offers seminars and courses to small and emerging construction businesses that assist in building a solid foundation of knowledge within the construction industry.

Louisiana Veteran Owned Business Initiative

LOUISIANA VETERANS FIRST BUSINESS INITIATIVE

The program will allow for a veteran, active or reserve military, or Gold Star spouse who have a fifty-one percent ownership in a business to apply for and gain certification to recognize and promote their businesses. In addition, the program will create a searchable database for anyone seeking to patronize a veteran, active-duty or reserve military, or Gold Star spouse business.

Mentor Protege

MENTOR-PROTÉGÉ RECOGNITION PROGRAM

Connects Louisiana-based small and emerging businesses to technical and developmental assistance provided by mentor companies.

PAVE

PATHWAY TO ASSIST VETERAN ENTREPRENEURS

The Pathway to Assist Veteran Entrepreneurs program (PAVE) offers Louisiana veterans the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills that are necessary to effectively start or manage a business.

SMALL AND EMERGING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Provides for developmental assistance, including entrepreneurial training, marketing, computer skills, accounting, legal and industry-specific assistance.

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DIVERSITY IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP INITIATIVE

LED’s Diversity in Entrepreneurship Initiative, delivered in partnership with the Edward Lowe Foundation, aims to accelerate second-stage business growth for minority-and woman-owned companies in Louisiana.

STEP GRANT

Provides financial awards to state and territory governments to assist small businesses with export development.

STRATEGIC RESEARCH

Provides customized research and technical assistance related to business growth issues, whether they are internal problems or outside the walls of a company.

VETERAN INITIATIVE

Helps veteran-owned and service-connected disabled veteran-owned small businesses gain greater access to purchasing and contracting opportunities at the state level.

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LOUISIANA BUSINESS HUB

Louisiana Business Hub is a platform for entrepreneurs and business owners looking for resources to start or grow their business in Louisiana.

Rural Entrepreneurship Initiative

RURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP INITIATIVE

Aims to accelerate the growth of second-stage businesses in rural areas of Louisiana through peer-learning and developmental assistance.

State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)

The SSBCI credit support programs offer a flexible, effective and efficient use of SSBCI funds by providing direct support for small business lending and investment.