Louisiana scores another investment in clean energy

(The Center Square) − Global venture platform Newlab has officially launched an energy-focused innovation hub in New Orleans, marking a major step in Louisiana's efforts to modernize its economy through tech commercialization, workforce development, and industrial reinvestment.

"This initiative will help diversify New Orleans' role in the global energy sector while creating new opportunities for our people and businesses to lead in the transition to a more sustainable future," said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. According to their website, their facilities provide industrial focused workspaces "to find the tools, space, and community to supercharge their ambition and create a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable world."

Louisiana Economic Development advances a broader strategy to reform state tax incentives, invest in development-ready sites, and attract high-quality jobs.

David Belt, Newlab's CEO, said that this was the "best example of a whole of government approach that I've seen."

Newlab New Orleans is the result of a public-private partnership with LED, the City of New Orleans, Louisiana State University, Greater New Orleans, Inc., Shell, and the NSF-funded FUEL initiative, which supports the future use of energy in Louisiana. The hub will anchor at the former Naval Support Activity site — a 1.5 million square foot logistics center being redeveloped to support industrial innovation.

"We're bringing Newlab to strategic regions like Louisiana that have a competitive advantage for speeding up commercialization of critical technologies," Belt said. "Louisiana's legacy in energy projects and technical workforce create the perfect foundation to build a startup ecosystem that will future-proof the state's economy."

The New Orleans hub will initially target three sectors: low-carbon industrial power, carbon management and utilization, and maritime shipping innovation. It will feature industrial-scale demonstration spaces, enabling startups to prototype and deploy clean energy technologies across the state.

"Newlab's proven approach to developing deep technology complements our research agenda and industry partnerships," said Dr. Robert Twilley, LSU's Vice President for Research and Economic Development. "Our FUEL award, the largest in NSF history, is a key reason the Newlab project moved so quickly."

The expansion builds on earlier work Newlab did in Louisiana with U.S. Department of Energy support. Startups like Arculus Solutions and Mantel Capture have piloted technologies in carbon transport and point-source carbon capture through partnerships facilitated by Newlab.

"Where the rubber meets the road is at the state level," said Cameron Halliday, Mantel CEO. "Newlab has been instrumental in getting these projects off the ground by connecting us with key stakeholders, including state and local governments and communities."

Louisiana officials see this type of innovation as essential to transforming its economy. According to a recent economic roadmap presented by LED, professional, scientific, and technical services could yield the highest job growth — up to 26,000 new jobs — but the state faces a talent drain, with 40% of college graduates leaving Louisiana.

"This in-demand talent feels like it can't find or get opportunities in our state," said Ben Safran of McKinsey & Company, who is advising LED. "But our businesses are saying, 'I can't get the talent I need.'"

To close that gap, LED leaders say innovation must be embedded across every industry. "Innovation has to be the common thread running through all these identified sectors," said Bourgeois.

Newlab New Orleans joins the platform's growing network of global hubs — including in Brooklyn, Detroit, Montevideo, and most recently Riyadh — all geared toward reindustrialization through technology, entrepreneurship, and public-private alignment.