THE LWCC FOUNDATION

Catalyzing economic prosperity in Louisiana.

The LWCC Foundation supports high-potential Louisiana businesses to access the capital and resources they need to grow.

Louisiana Businesses Deserve the Resources to Grow

Louisiana has talented entrepreneurs and high-potential companies, but too many struggle to access the capital, connections, and support needed to scale. The LWCC Foundation exists to help close that gap by creating the conditions for businesses to succeed.

We Connect High-Potential Businesses to Capital

Our mission is to champion the growth of Louisiana-based businesses by connecting them with the financial resources, strategic relationships, and opportunities that fuel long-term growth. We take a data-informed approach rooted in a deep understanding of Louisiana's business landscape.

Economic Prosperity Starts One Business at a Time

Our work is guided by a simple belief: when businesses grow, communities thrive.

We focus on two priorities:

  • Expanding access to capital for Louisiana businesses.
  • Supporting business creation and sustainable growth.

Together, these efforts strengthen Louisiana's economy, create jobs, and improve opportunity across the state.

Built in Louisiana. Focused on Louisiana.

We're a Louisiana-based organization with firsthand knowledge of the challenges and opportunities our businesses face. Our relationships, investments, and expertise remain focused on helping businesses thrive here at home because stronger communities are built business by business.

Bringing More Investment Into Our State

While our work begins in Louisiana, we also serve as a connector for national investors, funders, and partners looking to create meaningful impact here. By helping align outside resources with Louisiana opportunities, we're expanding what's possible for our state's future.

Mutual Membership Benefits

When you choose a mutual carrier like LWCC, you get more than a workers’ comp policy. You get our specialized knowledge of Louisiana businesses and access to unique benefits, alongside our commitment to be there for Louisiana. Always.

Learn why mutuality matters

Our Strategy

We take a data-informed approach and work through three connected strategies: convening the resources already at work in Louisiana, funding organizations that help businesses grow, and pursuing impact investments in aligned, high-potential Louisiana-based businesses.

Convening

We serve as a leader and convener, working to create stronger connections among capital, growing businesses, and support resources. We also seek to be a leader in growing the impact investing ecosystem in the state, inviting other funders across Louisiana to learn and practice alongside us.

Grants

We support the organizations that help Louisiana businesses start and grow, including incubators and accelerators, through grantmaking. Our goal is to strengthen the ecosystem that entrepreneurs rely on.

Impact Investing

We partner with other foundations and funders to make impact investments in Louisiana-based businesses. Our aim is to create jobs in Louisiana by helping close the capital gap that holds promising companies back alongside partners who share our commitment to the state.

Our Approach

Our impact investing work is guided by our place-based strategy and is focused on increasing the capital and resources available to high-potential Louisiana businesses.

The goal of our impact investing work is to create and keep jobs in Louisiana.

The Opportunity, by the Numbers

Louisiana has talented entrepreneurs and promising businesses, but not enough of the capital and support they need to grow. The gap is real, and it is measurable:

49th & 45th Nationally Ranked

Louisiana ranks 49th in venture capital deployed per capita and 45th in overall venture capital investment, leaving promising businesses with fewer opportunities to access the funding they need to grow.

Louisiana Businesses Face a $101 Million Funding Gap

Louisiana startups and small businesses face a projected $101 million annual capital-access gap, limiting their ability to launch, scale, and create jobs across the state.

Early-Stage Businesses Are Being Left Behind

Only 9% of Louisiana venture capital supports early-stage companies, compared with a 29% national average. The average Louisiana venture capital deal is $4.1 million, while the U.S. average is $15.4 million. This highlights the need for stronger investment earlier in the business lifecycle.

Data from an LWCC Foundation commissioned study by Fourth Economy completed in 2024.

Let's build a stronger Louisiana, together.

We know we cannot do this work alone. We seek local and national partners who share our commitment to Louisiana's future, and we bring strong relationships across the state to every collaboration.

We partner with:

  • Philanthropic organizations and fellow foundations
  • Investment funds and co-investors
  • Incubators, accelerators, and business-support organizations
  • Government agencies and civic leaders working to grow Louisiana's economy

If your work advances economic prosperity in Louisiana, we'd like to hear from you.

Let's start the conversation.