STartUP Northshore

What STartUP Northshore does

STartUP Northshore is a non-profit regional entrepreneurial support organization and program of St. Tammany Economic Development Corporation (STEDC), founded in 2022 and headquartered at 1001 Hwy 190 East Service Road, Suite 202, Covington, Louisiana. It operates as a centralized convening hub for the Northshore Louisiana startup ecosystem across three parishes — St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington — partnering with the corresponding parish economic development foundations and serving aspiring founders, existing business owners, very small businesses, and SEDI-owned enterprises through a free-to-participant model.

The organization's core products comprise a four-stage entrepreneur journey (Develop My Idea, Start My Business, Grow My Business, Exit My Business) supported by structured programs: IDEAinstitute Northshore, a 10-12 week idea-stage accelerator produced in partnership with The Idea Village and Loyola University New Orleans using Lean Startup Methodology; NSpire Startup Slam, an annual shark-tank-style pitch competition with a grand prize package valued at over $100,000 (Chevron as presenting sponsor, Capital One as $50,000 grant funder); THE LAUNCHPAD, a 2025-debuted high-frequency mini-pitch series with a $5,000 prize pool; and Louisiana Opportunity Capital (NCRI), a Technical Assistance program under the federally funded State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI TA) delivering no-cost legal, accounting, and financial advisory services. Delivery is hybrid (Zoom virtual sessions plus in-person pitch events and networking) and the underlying technology is operational rather than proprietary — using standard virtual session platforms, online applications, and workshop coordination tools.

The business model is grant- and sponsorship-funded rather than revenue-generating. Programs are provided at no cost to eligible participants; funding flows from Louisiana Economic Development's SSBCI TA program, the three parish economic development foundations, and corporate sponsors (Chevron, Capital One, OnPath Foundation). Since 2022, the organization reports 200+ entrepreneurs served, 300+ mentor hours, and $180K+ in prizes awarded, with a 79 Net Promoter Score on IDEAinstitute Northshore. The organization has no external venture or private equity investors and functions as a government-affiliated economic development initiative.

Name

STartUP Northshore

Legal name

STartUP Northshore

Website

https://startupnorthshore.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

STartUP Northshore is a non-profit regional entrepreneurial hub and program of St. Tammany EDC, serving aspiring founders and small businesses across three Louisiana parishes (St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Washington) with free accelerator programs, pitch competitions, mentorship, and SSBCI-funded technical assistance.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Entrepreneur Support Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Business Planning, Pitching & Competitions (Pitch Decks, Demo Days) (EDAMAHAB), Corporate Venture Studios & Incubators (Build/launch ventures) (FSANAHAC)

Keywords

• Startup accelerator programs
• Entrepreneur education programs
• Business mentorship services
• Pitch competition platform
• Small business technical assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

Covington

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding & Government Programs: STartUP Northshore operates as a nonprofit economic development initiative receiving funding through Louisiana Economic Development's SSBCI Technical Assistance Program, St. Tammany Economic Development Corporation, and parish economic development partners. The organization also serves as a Technical Assistance Partner under the U.S. Treasury-funded State Small Business Credit Initiative.
2. Sponsorships & Event Partnerships: Corporate sponsorships from companies like Chevron (presenting sponsor), Capital One (grant provider), and other partners fund pitch competitions and programs. The organization also receives support from foundations and industry partners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

STartUP Northshore is a regional entrepreneurial support hub operating the IDEAinstitute Northshore idea-stage accelerator, NSpire Startup Slam and THE LAUNCHPAD pitch competitions, and Louisiana Opportunity Capital (SSBCI) technical assistance, delivering no-cost education, mentorship, networking, and capital-readiness services to entrepreneurs across St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington Parishes in Louisiana. The organization runs a structured 11-stage entrepreneur journey from idea development to business exit, combining virtual instruction with in-person workshops and live pitch events.

Product overview

STartUP Northshore is a regional entrepreneurial support organization serving as the hub for startup connectivity across St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington parishes in Louisiana. The organization offers a multi-stage support ecosystem consisting of: IDEAinstitute Northshore (a 10-12 week idea-stage accelerator), NSpire Startup Slam (an annual pitch competition with prizes over $100,000), THE LAUNCHPAD (a mini-pitch series with $5,000 prizes), and Louisiana Opportunity Capital (SSBCI-funded technical assistance). Combined with its four-stage journey programs (Develop My Idea, Start My Business, Grow My Business, Exit My Business), mentor and alumni networks, the organization provides immersive education, networking events, and mentorship from industry leaders and capital investors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IDEAinstitute Northshore: An idea-stage accelerator program that introduces innovative entrepreneurs and aspiring startup founders to the tools they need to turn an idea into a scalable venture. A 12-week hybrid program following Lean Startup Methodology, led by Professor Felipe Massa, Ph.D., and produced by The Idea Village.
• NSpire Startup Slam
• THE LAUNCHPAD
• Louisiana Opportunity Capital (NCRI)

Products and services

• IDEAinstitute Northshore A 10-12 week idea-stage accelerator program that introduces innovative entrepreneurs and aspiring startup founders to the tools needed to turn an idea into a scalable venture, following Lean Startup Methodology. Led by Professor Felipe Massa, Ph.D. from Loyola University and produced by The Idea Village.
• NSpire Startup Slam The Northshore's premiere live pitch competition (shark-tank style) providing entrepreneurs a platform to showcase bold visions and compete for one of the largest prizes in the Gulf South, including a comprehensive package of cash and in-kind services valued at over $100,000.
• THE LAUNCHPAD An idea-stage pitch competition spotlighting early-stage entrepreneurs with bold ideas; features three finalists per event competing in a live pitch showdown with a $5,000 prize pool ($3,000 winner, $1,000 each runner-up).
• Louisiana Opportunity Capital (SSBCI TA)
• Develop My Idea Program Four-stage program guiding entrepreneurs from idea formulation to validation and blueprint creation, including customer discovery, business model canvas development, and elevator pitch crafting.
• Start My Business Program Three-stage program covering foundation building (business registration, tax IDs, banking), brand development, and marketing strategy execution.
• Grow My Business Program Three-stage program for strategic planning, sustainable scaling practices, and accessing funding including financial statements, projections, and business plan development.
• Exit My Business Program Guidance program for business exit planning including closing/selling procedures, purchasing another business considerations, and succession planning support.
• Mentor Network Network of experienced professionals including Peggy Head (Business Transition Expert), Justin Landry (Capital Markets Specialist), and Bradley Cook (Commercial Real Estate Advisor) providing mentorship to entrepreneurs.
• Alumni Network Network connecting IDEAinstitute Northshore alumni for ongoing peer support, collaboration, and shared entrepreneurial experiences.

Quantifiable outcome

• 200+ entrepreneurs served since 2022
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• The Idea VillagecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 August 2022Program partner that developed and produces IDEAinstitute Northshore curriculum. Leads weekly learning modules using Lean Startup Methodology. Partnership renewed in 2025. Felipe Massa, Ph.D. from Loyola University leads the academic instruction.
• St. Tammany Economic Development Corporation (STEDC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022STEDC leads the STartUP Northshore 3-year pilot program initiative as the primary economic development organization for St. Tammany Parish. STEDC provides organizational leadership, staffing (Vincenzo Caronna as Executive Director), and strategic direction for the entrepreneurial ecosystem program.
• Tangipahoa Economic Development FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore economic development partner contributing to the three-parish regional initiative. Ginger Cangelosi serves as Executive Director of Economic Development for Tangipahoa Parish Government and supports the STartUP Northshore ecosystem.
• Washington Parish Economic Development FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore economic development partner for Washington Parish in the three-parish regional initiative. D'Ann Davis serves as Executive Director.
• Loyola University New OrleanscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner providing academic leadership for IDEAinstitute Northshore. Felipe Massa, Ph.D. leads weekly learning modules for the 12-week accelerator program.
• Stirling PropertiessupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMentor network contributors including Justin Landry (VP Finance & Capital Markets Specialist) and Bradley Cook (Advisor) provide mentorship and expertise in commercial real estate, finance, and business transitions.
• Peggy HeadsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner and Certified Business Transition Expert in mentor network. Provides expertise in business growth, succession planning, and exit strategies.
• Louisiana Economic Development (LED)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState economic development agency that selected STartUP Northshore as Technical Assistance partner for SSBCI TA program. LED provides federal funding through the State Small Business Credit Initiative.
• Southeastern Louisiana UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution partner providing regional connectivity and workforce development connections for the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
• Columbia Theatre for the Performing ArtssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent venue host for NSpire Startup Slam 2026 finals in Downtown Hammond, providing premium performance venue for pitch competition.
• Tulane UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner providing regional connectivity and potential entrepreneurial resources.
• GNO Inc.supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional economic development organization providing network connectivity and resources for the Northshore entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Techstars: Global accelerator network running mentorship-driven programs in multiple verticals. Comparable to NSpire Startup Slam and IDEAinstitute as an accelerator brand, though larger and investor-operated.
• gener8tor: National accelerator operator running cohorts across multiple U.S. cities and verticals. Operates accelerator programming comparable to IDEAinstitute Northshore, but at significantly greater scale and as an investor-operated platform.
• MassChallenge: Global nonprofit startup accelerator with a free, equity-free model for early-stage founders. Mirrors STartUP Northshore's no-cost, equity-free approach but operates at much larger scale and across geographies.

Direct peers

• The Idea Village: The Idea Village is a New Orleans-based entrepreneur support organization that develops and delivers the IDEAinstitute Northshore curriculum. It operates a comparable regional accelerator and ecosystem-building model across the Gulf South, making it the closest direct peer and existing program partner.
• 1871: Chicago-based nonprofit tech hub and startup incubator providing workspace, education, and corporate partnerships for early-stage founders. Directly comparable as a regional entrepreneur hub with curated programming and corporate sponsorship model.
• Camelback Ventures: New Orleans-based nonprofit that supports underrepresented founders through fellowship and accelerator programs. Highly comparable to STartUP Northshore's IDEAinstitute cohort demographics (67% Female/Non-Binary, 52% POC) and Gulf South focus.
• Launch Fishers: Launch Fishers is a public-private startup hub in Indiana serving as a regional entrepreneur support organization with programs, mentorship, and pitch competitions. It mirrors STartUP Northshore's role as the central convener for its local entrepreneurial ecosystem.
• New Orleans Startup Fund: Regional startup fund providing early-stage capital to Louisiana founders. Listed as a capital network partner of STartUP Northshore, operating in an overlapping geographic and entrepreneur-support niche.
• GNO Inc. Greater New Orleans regional economic development organization supporting the Northshore entrepreneurial ecosystem as a STartUP Northshore partner. Comparable regional EDC operating model and mission to drive inclusive economic growth.

Regional players

• BioGenerator: St. Louis-based nonprofit startup hub supporting life sciences and agriculture founders. Comparable as a regional, sector-agnostic innovation hub model, though focused on a different vertical and geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/STartUPNorthshore
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/startup-northshore

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about STartUP Northshore