The Idea Village

The Idea Village is a New Orleans-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2000 to identify, support, and retain entrepreneurial talent in the Gulf Coast region. It operates as a startup accelerator, offering programs such as IDEAinstitute for idea-stage founders and VILLAGEx for later-stage companies poised for rapid growth. In 2023, The Idea Village launched the Momentum Fund, an affiliated $6.7 million venture fund to provide capital to graduates of its accelerator programs. The organization also produces New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (NOEW) to connect founders with investors and mentors.