Description
The New Louisiana Angel Funds (NLAF) are a series of regionally focused angel investment funds managed by the Baton Rouge Foundation’s (BRF) entrepreneurial arm to provide capital to early-stage startups in North Louisiana and beyond while offering accredited investors structured opportunities to participate in high-growth company financings.
Pre-Seed / Seed: Core focus on early-stage startups with potential for high growth; fund activity emphasizes seed and angel-style investing.
Series A: Indirect participation via follow-on syndication with larger angel networks or co-investors; primary fund activity remains pre-Series A.
Typical fund size:
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NLAF 1: ~$2.6M raised (first North Louisiana angel fund).
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NLAF 2: ~$3.1M raised with participation from six regional universities.
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NLAF 3 (2024): ~$3.1M+ raised with 70 investors, targeting ~20 investments.
Invests across industries—technology, medical, aerospace, fintech, IT services, defense/cybersecurity, entertainment, and more—with a mandate to grow the regional startup ecosystem and economy.
Founders typically engage by applying via BRF’s Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program (EAP) or through introductions to the NLAF membership; BRF also sources deal flow from local partners, universities, and ecosystem events.
Important ecosystem participation includes regional pitch events, collaborations with other Louisiana angel networks (e.g., Gulf South Angels, Redstick Angels), and investor summits that connect startups to capital and mentorship.
Eligibility
Geography: North Louisiana (Shreveport-Bossier) prioritized, with syndication into broader Louisiana and U.S. networks to amplify capital reach.
Profile: Early-stage and high-growth startups seeking initial institutional capital.
Team: Founders with compelling business models and growth potential supported by robust regional engagement.
Process
Initial Intake & Screening: Companies submit executive summaries and pitch materials to BRF/EAP for initial evaluation against stage and regional impact criteria.
Screening Committee Review: NLAF investors conduct deeper diligence on market potential, team, and business model viability.
Member Presentation & Evaluation: Shortlisted startups present to the full NLAF membership for consideration.
Due Diligence & Decision: Interested members lead market, financial, and operational diligence; investment decisions are member-driven.
Deal Structuring & Close: Terms negotiated on a deal-by-deal basis with flexibility for equity or convertible instruments, often aligning with wider syndication.
What an Applicant can Obtain
Strategic Capital: Provides aggregated angel capital through structured funds that pool accredited investor commitments to back multiple startups.
Network & Mentorship: Startups gain exposure to angel investors, ecosystem partners, and cross-network syndication opportunities.
Follow-on Support: NLAF members and partner angel groups offer pathways to additional investment as companies progress beyond initial seed stages.
