Propeller: A Force for Social Innovation

Propeller grows and supports entrepreneurs to tackle social and environmental disparities in community economic development, education, food, health, and water. Our vision is an inclusive and thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in New Orleans that responds to community needs and creates the conditions for an equitable future.

Propeller supports entrepreneurs, with a focus on disadvantaged New Orleanians, who view their businesses as catalysts for positive change in the community. In a city that is 60% Black, centering BIPOC entrepreneurs enables us to close the racial wealth gap and raise economic opportunities citywide. Our 2024 programs include the Impact Accelerator, technical assistance to help ventures access capital and win contracts, a $3M seed equity fund, and a coworking facility.

In 2024:

- 659 entrepreneurs joined our programs (Impact Accelerator, Access to Capital, ACCEL, IPTAP, Alumni Services, and more).
- 18 ventures in the 2024 Impact Accelerator reported a five-month earned/committed revenue total of $2.1M.
- 13 IPTAP ventures won 72 contracts worth $9.6M, creating 42 jobs and sustaining 57 jobs.
- 14 entrepreneurs submitted loan applications, yielding $1.785M in approved loans.
- Propeller invested $100K directly in 2 Black-owned Louisiana adaptogenic beverage companies.
- 235 members representing 114 organizations utilized our 10,000sf coworking space.

Testimonials

"Propeller has truly been an open door to the entrepreneurial ecosystem, offering us consulting, guidance, and technical assistance. Thanks to Propeller, we've forged strong connections with workforce development organizations, providing us with a clear line of sight into new opportunities. In a year of rapid growth, Propeller has been the fuel that propelled us to new heights, saving us significant time, money, and energy." -Niki Da'Jon, Co-Founder/CEO of Career Training Group, 2024