Xavier University launches program empowering HBCU student entrepreneurs

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — A new program is set to launch across Louisiana Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), creating a gateway for student entrepreneurs.

Officials at Xavier University of Louisiana announced Tuesday, Aug. 19, the launch of “The Gateway,” powered by the Entrepreneurship Institute at Xavier University of Louisiana in partnership with the New Orleans BioInnovation Center (NOBIC), sponsored by JP Morgan Chase.

The program is part of NOBIC’s Advancing Diversity in Life Sciences initiative.

This is a two-month entrepreneurship program designed to help students and community entrepreneurs “build, refine and pitch their business ideas through a hands-on curriculum grounded in design thinking and the Business Model Canvas.”

“The Gateway is about more than launching businesses. It’s about empowering HBCU students and local innovators to develop their innovative ideas, improve people’s lives, create jobs, and stimulate economic empowerment,” said Mark Quinn, Director, Entrepreneurship Institute at Xavier. 

The program will serve students at Xavier, Dillard University, Southern University at New Orleans as well as entrepreneurs in the greater New Orleans community. The program will offer:

• Guidance in launching a biotech venture
• Personalized business coaching
• Technical assistance from the Louisiana Small Business Development Center at Xavier
• A $1,000 stipend to founders who complete the program, and
• Access to the larger entrepreneurial ecosystem

“Collaborating with Xavier to promote diversity in the life sciences provides a gateway for students across our community to access valuable resources and mentorship that support their entrepreneurial goals,” said Kris Khalil, Executive Director of NOBIC.

The Gateway program will launch on Sept. 6 and end Nov. 15 with a Pitch Competition, where participants can compete for a prize at the New Orleans BioInnovation Center.

“This initiative is a strong complement to the thriving biotech ecosystem we’re developing here in Louisiana,” said Khalil.

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