Inclusive Entrepreneurship

New Orleans eclipses the national average of startups being founded per capita by 64%. However, essential resources and investments are often ignoring native New Orleanians, entrepreneurs of color and/or low-income business owners. Local startup incubators have also failed to be inclusive. This is especially problematic in a city where 27% of firms are owned by people of color yet only 2% of city business revenues go to these firms. The New Orleans Hub and strategic local partners are planning an accessible Community Business Incubator to challenge the existing incubator model and facilitate opportunities for business creation and livelihood development for all New Orleanians. This will provide entrepreneurs in the 7th Ward and surrounding neighborhoods with work space, rentable classroom, desktop computers, printers, mail center and equipment library. The hub will then look to replicate this project in other neighborhoods.