Best Small Business Resources in the Baton Rouge Area

Description

Dixie Business Center is a nonprofit business incubator dedicated to foster small business growth and creation; it offers coworking spaces at low cost for aspiring entrepreneurs, as well as a range of consulting services in market research, aid in seeking finance, as well as other business resources.

Description

SCORE (Service Corp of Retired Executives) is a leading, nation-wide organization that has assisted millions of entrepreneurs over its 50+ years of operation. SCORE is a resource partner of the SBA that offers access to a network of experienced business leaders who donate time to mentor entrepreneurs and small business owners. They also host free or inexpensive workshops online and at 300 local chapters around the United States. Mentoring can be conducted either in person or remotely and is always free and confidential, no matter how often you take advantage of this service.

Description

The Creative Bloc is a modern, flexible coworking space that allows entrepreneurs to interact with each other.  It has various packages for shared spaces, team workspace and single working tables. 

Restrictions

Industry focus on audio, video, film, design, photography, communications and graphic arts.

Description

The Louisiana Technology Park has been around since 2001 and is built to support high tech growth in the region. The organization has a wide range of networks to support all entrepreneurs who are accepted to work in their space; with an incubator program as well as other tech-oriented assistance, the Louisiana Technology Park is a premier resource for tech-based entrepreneurs. 

Restrictions

The Louisiana Technology Park works exclusively with technology-oriented businesses in Louisiana.

Description

The greatest strength of the SBDC is their free, confidential, 1-on-1 business mentoring for anyone who seeks it. Sometimes in order to be considered for mentoring from one of their professional business advisors, you may have to attend a class/workshop or at least present your business plan. SBDC's are located all throughout the state and you should use the SBDC closest to your location if possible, but you can often transfer to a different location if they do not fit your needs.

Description

The Louisiana State University's Innovation Park is a thriving hub of entrepreneurship, offering a range of services and office spaces to its students as well as non-university affiliates. The Incubation program allows tech start-ups to have a home and develop their product under a careful expert eye, while other entrepreneurs can seek out counseling from the Innovation Parks business advisors for free.

Restrictions

Must be a Louisiana based business. In order to be considered for the incubation program, must be a technology-based business.

Description

The Louisiana Emerging Technology Center is a large facility that offers wet laboratory spaces for entrepreneurs in need for the development of their business ideas.  Beyond the lab space, the center also offers consulting services for legality and funding based issues as well as other administrative services. 

Restrictions

Industry focus on biotechnology, life sciences, agricultural and environmental industries.

Description

The LSU AgCenter Incubator is a space specifically created for food products oriented entrepreneurs in need of lab spaces and technical assistance.  The incubator provides a variety of testing spaces for all types of measures needed to develop a finalized, legal product, as well as office spaces for administrative uses. 

Restrictions

Food industry focus.