About
At the LEED Center, our mission is to strengthen and diversify the economy through relationship-based entrepreneurship and economic development programming to build a better Lafayette, a thriving Acadiana, and a stronger Louisiana.
The LEED Center serves the entire state of Louisiana providing technical assistance and support to businesses and economic development agencies, entrepreneurs (students, faculty and within communities), rural and underserved minority populations that are not connected to economic development resources and regional commercialization efforts.
We work with individuals in one-on-one consultations and offer larger group programming. Our Accelerate programs are offered several times a year. The Accelerate programs serve as a starting point for people who have a dream, side-hustle, or existing small business. The program is not designed as a university program, but rather as a program that meets people where they are…with respect to their education background, business acumen, and without preconceived notions on what is or is not a “good” business.
Program Structure – 6 Sessions
- The Entrepreneurial Journey
- Business Planning
- Finding Resources When You Do Not Have Any
- Bookkeeping & Finance
- Marketing
- Operations Management
Additionally, we work to create an entrepreneur community through workshops and our weekly Dreams to Reality Conversation. Each week, we have a conversation with a different entrepreneur to discuss their journey. These conversations are open to the public and livestreamed.
Services Provided
Economic and Site Development
- Economic Development (Specialty)
- Economic Forecast (Specialty)
Business Planning
- Business Plan Consulting (Specialty)
- Forming a Business (Specialty)
- Market Plan Development (Specialty)
Financial Resources and Assistance
- Accounting and Bookkeeping (Specialty)
- Financial Statement and Cash Flow (Specialty)
- Revenue Based Financing (i.e. factoring)
Human Resources, Workforce and Talent
- Employee Development (Specialty)
- Leadership/Professional Development (Specialty)
- Workforce Training (Specialty)
Internship Programs and Student Services
- Business Degree Program (Specialty)
- Student Marketing Projects (Specialty)
- Student Research Projects (Specialty)
- Youth Entrepreneurship Education (Specialty)
Legal Services
- Forming a Business (Specialty)
Management Issues
- Leadership/Professional Development (Specialty)
Marketing and Sales
- Feasibility Studies (Specialty)
- Student Marketing Projects (Specialty)
Mentoring
- One-on-One Counseling (Specialty)
Networking and Associations
- Demographically Based (Specialty)
- Geographically Based (Specialty)
- Home Based (Specialty)
- Small Business/General (Specialty)
Nonprofit and Social Enterprise
- Accounting (Specialty)
- Strategic Planning (Specialty)
Space
- Conference/Meeting and Event Space (Specialty)
- Coworking (Specialty)
- Office Space (Specialty)
Public Policy and Government Relations
- Small Business Policy (Specialty)
Starting a Business
- Business Research Resources (Specialty)
- Forming a Business (Specialty)
- Home-Based Business Training (Specialty)
- Registration, Licenses and Permits (Specialty)
- Startup Business Counseling (Specialty)
- Startup Classes (Specialty)
Technical Assistance
- Bookkeeping/Accounting Software Training
- Virtual Consulting and Online Services
Training
- Bookkeeping/Accounting Software Training
- Budget, Cash Flow and Financial Statements Training
- Business Management Training
- Business Plan Training and Assistance
- Marketing Plan Training
- Startup Classes
Accelerators and Incubators
- Accelerator (Specialty)
- Incubator (Specialty)
Events and Community Building
- Neighborhood Fairs and Festivals (Specialty)
- Pitch Events (Specialty)