Scale Up! Louisiana – Lafayette

Scale Up! Louisiana is a statewide, community-based, entrepreneurial education intensive hosted by Urban League of Louisiana’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. This program provides early-stage, women- and minority-owned firms with the education and resources needed for scalability and profitability.

This cohort of the Scale Up! Louisiana program is specifically designed to support businesses in Lafayette and surrounding areas, and is sponsored by First Horizon and Louisiana Economic Development. This program is also funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

In order to participate, entrepreneurs must commit to a hybrid business education program that is delivered via:

• 4, 2.5-hour In-Person Class Sessions (Sessions 1, 4, 9, 10)
• 6, 2.5-hour web class sessions, and
• 5, 45-minute pre-recorded web sessions.

Participants must also commit to utilizing additional resources and services to support their business outside of curriculum, including: counseling sessions, technical assistance, business plan assignments, and meetings with an assigned business advisor.

Classes will take place February 27-April 23, 2024 with a hybrid schedule. Sessions 1, 4, 9, and 10 will take place in-person on Tuesdays, 5:30pm-8:00pm, at the Downtown Convention Center, 124 S. Buchanan Street, Lafayette, LA 70501. All other sessions will take place on Fridays, 9:30am-12:00pm, virtually.

Eligibility Criteria: In order to participate, small businesses must:

• Be located in Lafayette and surrounding parishes an in operation for at least 2 years
• Have at least $30,000 in documented revenue for the previous tax year
• Have a desire to scale
• Have access to the internet and a computer with a camera at home

In addition, eligible business owners must be or become certified through the LED Small and Emerging Business Development Program.

Up to 30 business owners from the Lafayette area will be selected. Participants will be chosen based on 1.) the applicant’s ability to meet the eligibility requirements; 2.) the growth potential of the business; and 3.) the applicant’s desire to learn and grow in an interactive, online environment.

This series is sponsored by the Louisiana Economic Development’s Small and Emerging Business Development Program. To participate, attendees must be or become certified through the LED Small and Emerging Business Development Program. Visit https://www.opportunitylouisiana.gov/program/small-and-emerging-business-development-program to get certified today!

Applications are now being accepted. The deadline to apply is Friday, February 16.