At The Shop at the CAC, we’re proud to be part of a community that supports innovation, entrepreneurship, and the people building what’s next in New Orleans. One of the organizations doing that work every day is The Idea Village, a longtime member and a leading force in the Gulf South’s startup ecosystem.
That work recently earned national recognition. The Idea Village was named one of TIME’s America’s Best Incubators & Accelerators 2026, a ranking developed by TIME in partnership with Statista that recognizes leading startup hubs across the country. The ranking considers alumni evaluations, organizational track record, and recommendations from experienced entrepreneurs and startup investors.
For The Idea Village, the recognition reflects more than two decades of work helping entrepreneurs turn ideas into growing companies.
Building the Gulf South’s Startup Community
Since its founding in 2000, The Idea Village has supported more than 23,700 entrepreneurs throughout the Gulf South. Its programs provide founders with mentorship, business resources, strategic connections, and access to capital at different stages of the entrepreneurial journey.
The results speak to the organization’s impact. Alumni companies have collectively raised more than $550 million in capital, while participating ventures over the past five years have raised $97 million, created 505 jobs, and generated more than $41 million in annual revenue.
The organization’s programs are designed to meet founders where they are. IDEAinstitute gives early-stage entrepreneurs a 12-week framework for building scalable businesses, while VILLAGEx helps venture-scale startups prepare for institutional investment and accelerate their growth. Through the affiliated Momentum Fund, The Idea Village also provides founder-first venture capital to promising alumni companies.
Its work extends beyond traditional startup acceleration, too. IDEAfuel provides BIPOC founders with non-dilutive funding, mentorship, and business resources, while METRONOME supports entrepreneurs developing technology and businesses within the music industry.
A Commitment to New Orleans and the Gulf South
The Idea Village’s influence can be seen well beyond its individual programs. The organization founded New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (NOEW), which has grown into one of the region’s major celebrations of entrepreneurship and innovation and is now hosted by Loyola University New Orleans.
The organization also hosts the annual 3rd Coast Venture Summit, bringing together high-growth startups from across the Gulf South with venture capital investors from around the country. Events like these help create connections between local founders and the broader investment community while putting the Gulf South on the map as an emerging destination for innovation.
That focus on community is central to The Idea Village’s approach. As CEO Jon Atkinson noted in the announcement, building successful companies isn’t limited to traditional startup hubs. With the right resources, networks, and support, founders can build world-class companies anywhere.
We’re Proud to Have Them in Our Community
As a member organization at The Shop at the CAC, The Idea Village represents the kind of work we’re proud to have under our roof: organizations that bring people together, create opportunities, and contribute to the continued growth of New Orleans’ business community.
Congratulations to The Idea Village and its entire network of founders, mentors, investors, and partners on this well-deserved recognition.
Learn more about The Idea Village and its programs at ideavillage.org.