Entrepreneurial Services and Programs

Make no mistake, small business is essential to the success of this country. But how essential?

Consider that small firms across the United States make up more than 99.7 percent of all employers and pay nearly half of the nation's total private payroll. As a result, these firms are generating substantial spending power that is fueling the U.S. economy. Here in Louisiana alone, nearly 140,000 firms employ fewer than 20 people, and more than 250,000 self-employed businesses generate $10 billion in annual revenues. With statistics like these, it makes good business sense for Louisiana Economic Development to support entrepreneurs and their companies -- and we're doing just that.

LED also supports entrepreneurs in the entertainment industry, to find out about the unique opportunities available to Louisiana's aspiring artists, actors and musicians, click here.

Entrepreneurial Services

MENTOR PROTEGE TAX CREDIT PROGRAM
In an effort to support the entrepreneurial construction industry in Louisiana, the Mentor Protege Tax Credit Program fosters partnerships between firms, providing a strong backbone for the expanding industry. Through a mentor firm, the program provides emerging construction businesses with technical assistance covering different aspects of the industry. Mentor firms receive tax credits for assisting the protege firm and benefiting Louisiana's construction industry as a whole.

SMALL AND EMERGING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SEBD)
To help businesses help themselves, LED serves in a supportive role to local centers offering new and small businesses the training, technical and managerial assistance they need. Through the Small and Emerging Business Development program, new companies receive help in marketing and accounting, along with the professional encouragement they seek every step of the way.

BONDING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (BAP)
When a qualified Small and Emerging Business requires quality bid, performance and payment bonds from surety companies at reasonable rates, the Bonding Assistance Program can help. By providing companies the ability to bid on private and public jobs, the Bonding Assistance Program helps entrepreneurs are find new opportunities to move forward and compete for projects that will lead to financial security and potential growth.

MENTOR PROTÉGÉ TAX CREDIT PROGRAM
In an effort to support the entrepreneurial construction industry in Louisiana, the Mentor Protégé Tax Credit Program fosters partnerships between firms, providing a strong backbone for the expanding industry. Through a mentor firm, the program provides emerging construction businesses with technical assistance covering different aspects of the industry. Mentor firms receive tax credits for assisting the protege firm and benefiting Louisiana's construction industry as a whole.

LOUISIANA CONTRACTORS ACCREDITATION INSTITUTE
LCAI, a partnership between LED and Louisiana Community & Technical College System, assists small and emerging construction businesses. Taught by industry leaders, participants will learn about construction management and how to prepare for the General Contractors State Licensing Exam.

SMALL BUSINESS ENTREPRENEURSHIP COMMISSION
The Louisiana Small Business and Entrepreneurship Commission was created in 2001 for the purpose of assessing, evaluating and reviewing state programs that engage in foster the growth of small business and entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurial Advancement Programs

HUDSON INITIATIVE - SMALL ENTREPRENEURSHIP CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
When Louisiana small businesses need help, the first place to turn is LED. Becoming certified in the Hudson Initiative - Small Entrepreneurship Program is a great first step in achieving a competitive advantage for your business. Once you become certified, you'll be in a top-tier position to be considered for state procurement and public contracts. And to facilitate the process, LED provides an easy, on-line application.

URBAN ENTREPRENEUR PARTNERSHIP
Every entrepreneur can use a partner. In response to the economic-altering circumstances resulting from hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Urban Entrepreneur Partnership was formed. This unprecedented national collaboration, including the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, National Urban League, Business Roundtable, federal agencies (White House, SBA and others) and LED, serves historically underserved urban areas in Louisiana with its prim ary focus on housing, job creation, entrepreneurial development and research.

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AGENCY PARTNERSHIP
Joined by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Minority Business Development Agency, LED has entered into an agreement to provide technical and developmental assistance to minority businesses in Louisiana.

Entrepreneurial Investment Incentives

ANGEL INVESTOR TAX CREDIT PROGRAM
LED supports individual investors who choose to support Louisiana start-up companies. Through the Angel Investment Tax Credit Program, investors can receive state income tax credits of up to 50 percent of the money invested in a LEDcertified Louisiana Entrepreneurial Business. The tax credit is realized equally over five years. The Angel Investor Tax Credit is one more way LED enhances Louisiana's entrepreneurial business environment by encouraging ready sources of capital.