Developed and launched in 2019, InvestNOLA is a highly-customized small business growth program to provide support to local small businesses owned by people of color across New Orleans. The program is designed to accelerate the expansion of high-growth potential businesses by connecting them to public and private sector opportunities, innovative capital products, and advanced business management education. 

Managed by the New Orleans Business Alliance, the program leverages Tulane and Xavier University’s combined expert faculty and network of mentors to provide executive management training focused on business expansion, sustainable growth, cost analysis, fiscal management, human resource management, and strategic planning. 

The program also connects business owners to public and private sector procurement opportunities through the Business Alliance’s new online Opportunities Portal, in addition to developing and offering flexible credit and equity investments through financial partners, including New Corp Inc., TruFund Financial Services, Inc. and LiftFund.

As COVID-19 continues to devastate small business owners nationwide, NOLABA launched its virtual InvestNOLA Fall Training Series in September of 2020 designed to meet the growing needs of local minority-owned and small businesses during the pandemic. The five-part series, which kicked-off September 10, provided participants with valuable insights and tools to not only maintain but scale their businesses, during these difficult months of economic downturn.