Published May 10, 2018
Written by: Courtney Bryan
Six North Louisiana universities and foundations have partnered with the New Louisiana
Angel Fund 2 (NLAF 2), a $3 million angel investment fund made up of about 60 accredited
angel investors or entities, to expose business students to such areas as entrepreneurship,
investment in private entities, technology transfer and innovative startup activity.
Four-year institutions in North Louisiana with business schools were invited by BRF,
the managing member of NLAF 2, to participate in educational opportunities for faculty
members and students.
Participating universities or foundations are LSU Shreveport Foundation, Centenary
College, Louisiana Tech University Foundation, University of Louisiana at Monroe Foundation,
Grambling State University Foundation and Northwestern State University Foundation.
BRF provided a total of $75,000 for the participating foundations or universities
to become members of the fund.
NLAF 2’s investors make informed investment decisions to fund startups in North Louisiana
after a rigorous due diligence process, in which the universities’ business students
will be invited to participate.
“With this NLAF 2 partnership we hope to open the world of investing and entrepreneurship
to promising students in North Louisiana, who we believe will become active entrepreneurs
or supporters of the startup community in North Louisiana,” said John F. George Jr.,
M.D., President and CEO of BRF. “Investing in a knowledge-based economy while at the
same time diversifying our region’s economy through the launch of innovative, high-growth
startups is a win-win for BRF, North Louisiana and our partner universities.”
More than 40 of the Angel Capital Association’s (ACA) 260 member groups have a similar
connection to a partner university.
Examples include the Duke Angel Network, the Harvard Business Alumni Angels of Greater
New York and Notre Dame’s inspired angel group, Irish Angels.
“Ultimately our goal is to provide an invaluable opportunity for our local colleges
of business to become more knowledgeable, involved and supportive of the entrepreneur
ecosystem that NLAF and others are building and promoting in this region,” George
said.
Susan Hoffmann, President of the ULM Foundation, shared “The ULM Foundation recognizes
the potential educational and economic benefits of our BRF partnership. ULM faculty
and students will participate in select business startups, expanding theoretical and
practical applications of entrepreneurship.”
NLAF 2 is the second fund of its kind to be launched by BRF. The New Louisiana Angel
Fund 1 (NLAF 1), launched in 2015 at $2.6 million, has funded 13 North Louisiana-based
high-growth startups.
