News Summary
Shell USA, Inc., alongside the Louisiana Small Business Development Center, has selected 23 innovative businesses for the 2025 Louisiana Cohort of the Shell LiveWire program. This initiative aims to bolster local entrepreneurship and support economic growth across 13 parishes. The program offers essential tools and training to empower entrepreneurs, ensuring they thrive within their communities. With diverse industries represented, the cohort showcases the resilience and creativity of Louisiana’s business landscape, while the LSBDC provides valuable curriculum tailored to meet their unique needs.
Exciting News in Louisiana: Shell LiveWire Program Announces 2025 Cohort!
Well folks, get ready for some uplifting news from the heart of Louisiana! Shell USA, Inc., in partnership with the Louisiana Small Business Development Center, has just selected 23 promising businesses from 13 different parishes to join the 2025 Louisiana Cohort of the Shell LiveWire program. This is not just another business initiative; it’s an exciting enterprise development program that’s here to turbocharge local entrepreneurship and spark economic growth!
What is the Shell LiveWire Program?
So, what exactly is the Shell LiveWire program? It’s essentially a business accelerator designed to give budding entrepreneurs in Louisiana the tools they need to succeed. From access to vital knowledge and skills to invaluable networks and resources, this program is focused on strengthening the local economy. Celebrating its third year in Louisiana, Shell LiveWire is on a mission to empower local talent!
Diverse Industries Represented
The 23 selected businesses are a wonderful mixture of various industries including, but definitely not limited to, 3D printing, cleaning, consulting, fashion, financial services, food and beverage, health, legal services, marketing, media, retail, and wellness. How’s that for diversity? These entrepreneurs are known for their passion, resilience, and innovation, showcasing the vibrant spirit of Louisiana’s business landscape!
Supporting the Heart of Rural Louisiana
Speaking of spirit, let’s not forget the 13 rural parishes that are part of this selection! They are Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Mary, and Terrebonne. That’s a whole lot of local talent ready to take the entrepreneurial world by storm!
The Local Game Changer: LSBDC
The Louisiana Small Business Development Center (LSBDC) is the local hero here, stepping in as the implementation partner for the Shell LiveWire program. They’re providing a specialized curriculum tailored to meet the unique needs of this cohort. Local experts are lined up to deliver sessions covering essential topics such as marketing, finance, and team management.
Goals that Matter
At the core of the Shell LiveWire program is the goal of empowering entrepreneurs to launch and sustain impactful businesses that contribute positively to their communities. In 2024 alone, Shell LiveWire trained a staggering 2,700 individuals globally, helping to create over 1,600 jobs while sustaining more than 2,400 positions. Talk about a significant impact!
LSBDC: A Legacy of Support
The LSBDC has been a staple in Louisiana for a whopping 40 years, assisting over 3,880 small businesses annually! Their hard work leads to plans for creating over $67.2 million in capitalization and supporting nearly 200 new business formations each year. Isn’t it comforting to know that such valuable resources are available right here at home?
Investing in Skills that Matter
Participating entrepreneurs are set to receive all sorts of training in critical areas like business planning, marketing strategies, and customer service. And let’s not forget about networking—there will be plenty of opportunities for these aspiring business owners to connect with experts who can provide insights on topics that matter most to them.
A Future Full of Potential
The ultimate vision of the Shell LiveWire program is to ensure that small business owners can thrive within their own communities instead of uprooting to larger cities. This is where innovation meets local culture, and it’s all happening right here in Louisiana!
So there you have it, Louisiana! The future looks bright for local entrepreneurs, and the Shell LiveWire program is here to help pave the way. Here’s to building a stronger, more vibrant local economy together!
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- PR Newswire: 23 Louisiana Businesses Selected for Shell’s 2025 Accelerator
- Wikipedia: Business Accelerator
- Business Report: Shell’s LiveWire Cohort
- Google Search: Shell LiveWire
- The Advocate: Shell LiveWire Helps Louisiana’s Small Businesses
- Google Scholar: Shell LiveWire
- Biz New Orleans: 25 Louisiana Entrepreneurs Selected for Shell’s 2024 Accelerator
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Small Business
- Herald Guide: Family Business Grows with Help from Shell LiveWire
- Google News: Louisiana Business News
