Reaching Beyond the City
The Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program and the Launch Network have announced an expanded regional partnership aimed at bringing structured entrepreneurship support to founders in rural and underserved communities across Northwest Louisiana.
While EAP's core programming has historically been centered in the Shreveport-Bossier City metro area, the new partnership creates a pathway for founders in smaller communities — from Minden to Natchitoches to Mansfield — to access the same mentorship, workshops, and peer network that EAP participants receive.
What the Partnership Includes
The expanded collaboration will include:
- Quarterly in-person workshops hosted in rural communities across the region
- Virtual mentorship sessions connecting rural founders with EAP's mentor network
- A shared application pathway that routes qualified rural applicants into EAP programming
- Co-hosted pitch events to connect rural entrepreneurs with regional investors and advisors
Why Rural Entrepreneurship Matters
"The talent and the ideas are everywhere," said an EAP program director. "What hasn't been everywhere is the support infrastructure. This partnership starts to change that."
Launch Network brings deep relationships in rural communities across the state, including connections with local chambers of commerce, community development financial institutions (CDFIs), and workforce development organizations that serve as trusted entry points for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Applications Now Open
Founders in rural Northwest Louisiana communities who are interested in accessing EAP and Launch Network resources can apply through the standard EAP application portal. The program team will work with applicants to identify the right level of support and programming based on their stage and location.