STartUp Northshore and Founder Institute-Louisiana Announce Strategic Partnership to Expand Early-Stage Startup Acceleration on the Northshore
New Partnership Brings Global Pre-Seed Accelerator Platform to Local Founders
Media Contact: Kristin Durand
Immediate Release: May 16, 2025
COVINGTON, LA — STartUP Northshore has announced a new strategic partnership with Founder Institute–Louisiana, one of the world’s leading pre-seed startup accelerators. Through this collaboration, STartUP Northshore will serve as the exclusive economic development and entrepreneurial support organization partner for the Northshore region, supporting early-stage founders across St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington Parishes.
This partnership enables Founder Institute–Louisiana to run up to two "FI Core" accelerator programs in the region over the next year. These intensive, 3-month programs combine structured startup sprints with expert mentorship and investor feedback to help founders validate their ideas, build scalable companies, and prepare for future investment.
"This partnership reflects our commitment to expanding access to nationally recognized resources that help entrepreneurs launch and scale their businesses," said Chris Masingill, CEO of St. Tammany Economic Development Corporations (St. Tammany EDC). "Founder Institute brings a global platform and a rigorous, proven curriculum that complements our regional work at STartUP Northshore. Together, we are unlocking new opportunities for Northshore-based founders to grow strong companies right here at home.”
With more than 7,500 alumni companies, 35,000+ mentors, and over $1.85 billion raised by its graduates, Founder Institute has supported entrepreneurs in over 200 cities across six continents. Its expansion into the Northshore marks a major milestone for the region’s growing innovation ecosystem.
The inaugural Founder Institute–Louisiana cohort launched on April 10, 2025 with 14 startups selected from 21 applicants. The program runs through July 17, culminating in a Demo Day where participants pitch their enterprise ventures to a global audience of mentors, investors, and startup leaders.
“Too often, Louisiana’s brightest founders feel they have to leave the state to succeed,” said Rick Mekdessie, Director of Founder Institute Louisiana,” said, Rick Mekdessie, Director of Founder Institute – Louisiana Chapter. “This partnership is about changing that narrative. We’re building a clear path for entrepreneurs to launch, grow, and thrive, without having to relocate.”
The inaugural Founder Institute–Louisiana cohort launched on April 10, 2025 with 14 startups selected from 21 applicants. The program runs through July 17, culminating in a Demo Day where participants pitch their enterprise ventures to a global audience of mentors, investors, and startup leaders.
"The collaboration with Founder Institute further expands STartUP Northshore’s ecosystem-building efforts and complements its current suite of programming, including the IDEAinstitute accelerator, the NSpire Startup Slam, and a variety of technical assistance and capital access initiatives," said Cenzo Caronna, Entrepreneur-in-Residence & Program Manager of STartUP Northshore. "Founder Institute–Louisiana brings structure, accountability, and access to a global network—helping more of our local founders go from early-stage idea to investment-ready venture."
For more information regarding the FI Core accelerator program offered by the Louisiana Chapter of Founder Institute, visit fi.co/core.
Please reach out directly to St. Tammany Economic Development Corporation Director of Communications, Kristin Durand, for any media inquiries or to schedule interviews.