LA.IO and Tulane University released the first statewide startup assessment, highlighting business confidence, workforce growth and access-to-capital challenges.
BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana entrepreneurs are signaling confidence in the state’s business climate, with 92% of survey respondents saying they would probably or definitely remain in Louisiana and 66.4% expecting to expand their workforce over the next 12 months.
The findings come from the 2026 Louisiana Startup Report, released by Louisiana Innovation (LA.IO), a division of Louisiana Economic Development (LED), and the Albert Lepage Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Tulane University’s A. B. Freeman School of Business.
The first statewide edition examines Louisiana’s startup and early-stage business ecosystem, providing insights into company growth, access to capital, workforce needs and emerging technology adoption.
Establishing a Baseline for Louisiana Startup Growth
The report builds on research that the Lepage Center began in 2019 to track early-stage business activity in Greater New Orleans. Through its collaboration with LA.IO, the initiative has expanded to include businesses across Louisiana.
A network of 60 community partners helped broaden participation. The survey received 161 responses, including 143 validated responses representing businesses in 27 parishes.
This inaugural statewide edition establishes a “Year Zero” baseline for measuring future changes in entrepreneurship, employment, investment and technology adoption.
“Louisiana’s entrepreneurs and innovators are creating jobs, bringing new ideas to market and strengthening communities across our state,” said LED Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois. “To support their success, we need a clear understanding of where our startup ecosystem stands today and where greater opportunity remains. This first statewide Louisiana Startup Report gives us that foundation and a consistent baseline to measure our progress and focus resources where they can make the greatest difference.”
Entrepreneurs Expect Growth, but Capital Remains a Barrier
The survey points to optimism among participating founders and business owners:
- 92% would probably or definitely remain in Louisiana.
- 66.4% expect to increase their headcount within the next 12 months.
- Access to capital was the most frequently cited barrier to growth.
Respondents also identified workforce challenges, a need for stronger entrepreneurial support and opportunities to develop strategic partnerships.
LED Chief Innovation Officer Josh Fleig said the statewide approach creates a shared source of information to help leaders identify strengths, address gaps and make more informed investment decisions.
The findings offer entrepreneurs, investors and economic development organizations a starting point for understanding the needs of participating businesses and tracking how those needs change.
Emerging Technologies Shape Business Expectations
Technology adoption is another central theme of the Louisiana Startup Report.
Nearly two-thirds of respondents identified intelligent and machine-learning technologies as those likely to have the greatest long-term impact on their industries. Meanwhile, 75.9% reported a favorable productivity impact from technologies described in the survey as “super intelligence.”
The report also introduces an interactive digital platform that allows users to query survey data, explore findings by region or industry, generate downloadable charts and access anonymized underlying data.
These tools give founders, investors, policymakers and business support organizations additional ways to examine Louisiana’s entrepreneurial landscape.
Expanding Participation Across Louisiana
Rob Lalka, professor of practice and executive director of the Albert Lepage Center, emphasized the importance of consistent measurement in strengthening entrepreneurial support.
Drawing on seven years of research through economic disruptions, hurricanes and technological change, Lalka encouraged entrepreneur support organizations across all 64 Louisiana parishes to participate in future editions.
Although this year’s validated responses represent 27 parishes, LA.IO and the Lepage Center plan to broaden participation and strengthen the report’s value as a statewide resource.
The 2026 Louisiana Startup Report and interactive data platform are available at louisianastartup.report.
About Louisiana Innovation
Louisiana Innovation (LA.IO), a division of Louisiana Economic Development, supports innovation-driven economic growth through strategic investment, entrepreneurial support, commercialization, workforce development and partnerships. LA.IO connects startups and growing companies with capital, coaching and resources to bring new technologies to market. Learn more at LA.IO.
About the Albert Lepage Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
The Albert Lepage Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Tulane University’s A. B. Freeman School of Business advances entrepreneurship through education, research and community engagement. Its annual Startup Report and partnerships provide insights to help entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders strengthen Louisiana’s innovation ecosystem.
Media Contacts
Emma Wagner — Louisiana Economic Development
Emma.Wagner@la.gov
912.467.2117
Margot McNeely — Louisiana Innovation
Margot.McNeely2@la.gov
Roger Dunaway — Tulane University
roger@tulane.edu
504.452.2906
