Diversity in Entrepreneurship Initiative

In order to be considered for participation in the Diversity in Entrepreneurship Initiative, a business should meet the criteria described below.

• Company Location – The company must have its principal place of business in Louisiana.
• Annual Revenue – The company should have annual revenue between $600,000 and $50,000,000.
• Employees – The company should employ at least five but not more than 100 employees.
• External Markets – The company should deliver products or services to customers outside their local market or demonstrate the capacity and desire to do so.
• Lawful Function – The company must be organized for profit to perform a lawful, commercially useful function.
• Growth – Additional consideration will be given to companies that can demonstrate past and potential growth.
• Participant Profile – Participants must be a CEO, business owner or key decision maker in the company.

Applicants are not guaranteed acceptance due to high demand and limited capacity.

Applications will be accepted between September 1 and September 30 each year for participatory consideration in the Diversity in Entrepreneurship Initiative beginning in November of each year. 

For more information on the Diversity in Entrepreneurship Initiative, contact:

Johnna Johnson
Program Manager
[email protected]
225-342-4492

• Applications will be accepted between September 1 and September 30.
• LED reviews the application pool for vetting and selection.
• Companies will be notified of their status and next steps.
• LED connects confirmed participants with the Edward Lowe Foundation for preparatory items in advance of program launch.
• LED works with participants individually to prepare for their Strategic Research engagement.

Q: My business is currently receiving LED incentives. Am I still eligible to participate in the Diversity in Entrepreneurship Initiative program?
A: Yes. Your participation in other LED incentives does not preclude you from receiving assistance through the Diversity in Entrepreneurship Initiative program.

Q: I just sold my business to an out-of-state company but continue to operate it from a Louisiana location. Can we still participate in the program?
A: No. Subsidiary companies are considered to be a part of the parent company. Since the parent company is not Louisiana-based, it would not be eligible for this program.

Q: My company is looking to expand its business throughout Louisiana but we do not have the capacity to grow beyond the state's borders at this time. Can the Diversity in Entrepreneurship Initiative help me expand only within Louisiana?
A: Every company is evaluated on a case-by-case basis; therefore, there is not a blanket answer that would apply. The Diversity in Entrepreneurship Initiative supports companies looking to expand outside of their traditional market area, preferably out of state, in an effort to increase and accelerate wealth creation throughout the state. 

Q: What is the Diversity in Entrepreneurship Initiative?
A: LED’s Diversity in Entrepreneurship Initiative, delivered in partnership with the Edward Lowe Foundation, aims to accelerate business growth for minority-and woman-owned companies in Louisiana. 

Q: What is an eligible company for the Diversity in Entrepreneurship Initiative?
A: A Louisiana-based, small business that is past the start-up phase, has not yet reached maturity and is poised for future growth. Typically, these are second-stage growth companies with annual revenues of $600,000 to $50,000,000 that employ between five and 99 employees and have demonstrated the desire, ability and capacity to grow.

Q:  Does meeting all of the eligibility requirements for LED’s Diversity in Entrepreneurship Initiative guarantee my acceptance into the program?
A:  No.  Due to high demand and limited capacity, eligibility does not guarantee acceptance into LED’s Diversity in Entrepreneurship Initiative. 

Q: What is the cost to participate?
A: The program is wholly funded by LED.

Q: What are the services offered through the Diversity in Entrepreneurship Initiative?
A: The Diversity in Entrepreneurship Initiative consists of three components – a virtual kickoff retreat workshop spanning two hours for each of the three consecutive days, three monthly virtual roundtable sessions for peer-to-peer learning, and a customized Strategic Research engagement scheduled individually for each participant.

Q: How much time should I plan to dedicate to this program?
A: Participation in the program will consist of 12 hours of group time and another 10-12 hours of individual time with specialists spread over at least four months.

Q: As the leader of an Entrepreneur Support Organization, why should I refer my clients to the Diversity in Entrepreneurship Initiative program?
A: Referring clients to other state-supported services such as the Diversity in Entrepreneurship Initiative can help build trust, increase effectiveness and strengthen the entrepreneurial culture in Louisiana.