Advantage Capital Partners is a United States‑based venture capital firm that provides growth equity, debt, and mezzanine financing to small and mid‑market companies, with a focus on underserved communities and state and local economic development. The firm invests across sectors including manufacturing, technology, business services, life sciences, and energy, and also supports real estate development projects with equity and debt. It typically makes initial investments ranging roughly from half a million to ten million in companies with modest sales, and may participate in larger follow‑on rounds or co‑invest with other firms. It uses senior debt, mezzanine debt, subordinated loans, and government‑guaranteed lending, and often pursues equity positions through preferred shares or convertible notes. Advantage Capital operates nationwide in the United States, with roots in New Orleans and offices in multiple states, and has backed thousands of jobs and housing projects as part of its mission to expand inclusive economic growth.

Founded in 1999, Enhanced Capital Partners is a New York-based investment firm managing over $400 million. It specializes in equity and debt investments for small to mid-sized companies across various sectors, with a focus on healthcare technology systems and TMT industries.

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is a member-owned cooperative that provides credit products and financial services to support housing and economic development in its member institutions across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Texas. By offering various financial tools, the bank enables its members to deliver essential financial products that fund housing, small businesses, rural development, and agriculture. Additionally, the bank focuses on specialized community investment, along with affordable housing loan and grant programs, aimed at financing community redevelopment and enhancing affordable housing opportunities in the regions it serves.

Founded in 2013 by Jim Bernhard, Jeff Jenkins, and experienced private-equity professionals, Bernhard Capital Partners is an energy services-focused private equity firm. It seeks to create sustainable value through strategic industry insights, operational efficiencies, and best-practice management.

Innovation Catalyst is a nonprofit venture development organization based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, dedicated to enhancing the state's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Formed by community leaders, the organization focuses on fostering high-tech company formation by providing coaching, connections, and access to capital. It collaborates with existing resources throughout Louisiana to identify and engage with entrepreneurs, offering education and support to help accelerate their business ventures. Through these efforts, Innovation Catalyst aims to strengthen and broaden the landscape for startups in the region, particularly in the Baton Rouge area.

Humana is a leading U.S. health and wellness company focused on government-sponsored programs, health insurance, and related services. It serves individuals through private group plans and government programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE, and provides primary care, at-home services, and pharmacy benefit management. The company maintains a network of credentialed providers and facilities and emphasizes a consumer-focused approach centered on choice, engagement, and innovation. Founded in 1964 and headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, Humana pursues integrated care delivery and wellness initiatives across its diverse business lines.

Founded in 2014, Callais Capital is a venture capital firm based in Thibodaux, Louisiana. The company focuses on investing in early-stage companies with diverse teams, primarily within the burgeoning startup ecosystems along the Third Coast and Mississippi River Valley.

Benson Capital Partners is a private venture capital firm founded in 2019 and based in New Orleans, Louisiana. The firm focuses on fostering new business formation, workforce expansion, and wealth creation throughout the Gulf South region. It invests in promising companies within key sectors such as tourism, logistics, health care, and energy, providing both capital and resources to support their growth. Through its investments, Benson Capital Partners aims to address significant market needs and contribute to the economic development of the area.

ProFrac Services is an energy services company specializing in hydraulic fracturing, completion services, and complementary products for leading upstream oil and gas companies exploring and producing unconventional resources across North America.

Southeastern Grocers is a regional grocery retailer and the parent company of BI-LO, Harveys, and Winn-Dixie stores. It ranks among the largest conventional supermarket chains in the United States by store count and is the second-largest in the Southeast. The company operates grocery stores, liquor stores, and in-store pharmacies across seven southeastern states—Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina—and employs about 66,000 associates serving customers in roughly 756 grocery stores, 145 liquor stores, and 504 pharmacies.

Rotolo Consultants is a landscape construction firm based in Slidell, Louisiana, that specializes in creating exceptional outdoor environments. The company offers a range of services, including landscape design, construction, and maintenance. Its expertise encompasses specialty concrete landscape development, masonry work, signage, and hardscape solutions. Additionally, Rotolo Consultants provides aquatic construction and disaster relief services, assisting clients in maintaining their properties and recovering from unforeseen disasters. Through its comprehensive offerings, the company aims to enhance outdoor spaces and support community resilience.

Sunoco LP is a prominent fuel distributor in the United States, focusing on the provision of motor and racing fuels to convenience stores, independent dealers, commercial customers, and distributors. Originating from a family gasoline business in Texas, Sunoco has evolved into the largest non-refiner fuel distributor in the state. The company operates through its Fuel Distribution and Marketing segment, supplying fuel to various retail sites, including more than 560 Stripes convenience stores, as well as locations under the APlus, Aloha Island Mart, and Tigermarket brands. In addition to its retail operations, Sunoco specializes in the wholesale, storage, and delivery of fuel, ensuring a comprehensive service offering to meet diverse customer needs across Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. The company has a long-standing history of innovation, having pioneered the “pay-at-the-pump” system, enhancing customer convenience in fuel purchasing.

Carriage Services provides death care services and merchandise in the United States, operating funeral homes and cemeteries nationwide. It offers a range of services including burial, cremation, consultation, and merchandise sales, primarily on an at-need and preneed basis.

Contango Oil & Gas Company is an independent oil and natural gas enterprise focused on the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of crude oil and natural gas properties. The company operates primarily in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico and has onshore assets in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Wyoming. As of December 31, 2019, Contango reported proved reserves totaling approximately 316.4 billion cubic feet equivalent, which includes 131.3 billion cubic feet of natural gas, 19.1 million barrels of crude oil and condensate, and 11.8 million barrels of natural gas liquids. Founded in 1986, Contango is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

EnLink Midstream is an integrated midstream energy company that provides a range of services across five operating segments: Permian, North Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Corporate. The company specializes in the gathering, processing, transportation, and storage of natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil, and condensate, as well as offering brine disposal services. EnLink operates approximately 12,000 miles of pipelines, 21 natural gas processing plants, seven fractionation facilities, and various storage and terminal facilities. It plays a significant role in key North American oil and gas regions, including the Gulf Coast, Haynesville, and Permian basins. EnLink Midstream aims to deliver customized solutions that foster sustainable growth and value for its customers and stakeholders, leveraging its diverse asset base and strategic industry relationships. Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the company was previously known as Crosstex Energy L.P. before rebranding in 2014.

Founded in New Orleans, Louisiana, Voodoo Ventures is a venture capital firm specializing in early-stage investments. It focuses on startups and entrepreneurs in the business-to-business and technology sectors.

PBF Energy is one of the largest independent petroleum refiners and suppliers in the United States, focusing on unbranded transportation fuels, heating oil, petrochemical feedstocks, lubricants, and various other petroleum products. The company operates several refineries located in Delaware, Ohio, New Jersey, California, and Louisiana, which are part of its Refining segment, where crude oil and other feedstocks are processed into finished products. Additionally, PBF Energy has a Logistics segment that includes a network of logistics assets such as terminals, pipelines, and storage facilities for crude oil and refined products. This dual-segment structure enables PBF Energy to effectively manage its operations and supply chain, positioning it as a significant player in the energy sector.

Louisiana Funds is a venture capital firm based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, that targets early-stage investments in life sciences, biotechnology, healthcare and related technology sectors across the United States, with a focus on the Southeast region. The firm emphasizes Louisiana-based life science companies and pursues opportunities in pharmaceuticals, agritechnology, information technology, mobile and health technology, among other high-tech areas.

Established in 2001, LongueVue Capital is a private equity firm headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana. It focuses on buyout and distressed investments in mid-market companies across various sectors such as healthcare, transportation, logistics, specialty manufacturing, industrial services, consumer goods, food, and beverage.

Apache Industrial Services, Inc. is a Houston-based company specializing in a wide range of industrial services, including coatings and linings, fireproofing, scaffolding, and abatement. Established in 2009, the company provides various blasting services, such as robotic and mineral abrasive blasting, as well as water washing and high-frequency induction stripping. Its fireproofing services encompass multiple methods, including epoxy fireproofing and cementitious fireproofing for diverse applications such as vessels and offshore systems. Additionally, Apache Industrial offers insulation services, lead and asbestos containment, and maintenance for power and petrochemical plants. The company is also involved in refractory installations for industrial furnaces and provides scaffolding systems for various operational needs. Apache Industrial serves multiple sectors, including petrochemical, power generation, marine, and oil and gas transportation, with operations extending to locations in Texas and Louisiana.

Natural Resource Partners L.P. is a master limited partnership based in Houston, Texas, that owns, manages, and leases a diverse portfolio of mineral properties across the United States. The company primarily focuses on coal, soda ash, and other natural resources, with significant coal reserves located in regions such as Appalachia, the Illinois Basin, and the Northern Powder River Basin. In addition to coal, its assets include oil and gas royalties in Louisiana, timber in West Virginia, and trona ore mining and soda ash refining operations in Wyoming. Natural Resource Partners does not engage directly in mining but instead leases its properties to experienced operators, generating royalty income from these long-term agreements. The company's operations are organized into two main segments: Coal Royalty and Other, and Soda Ash. Founded in 2002, Natural Resource Partners has established itself as a key player in the natural resources sector.

BVM Capital is a venture capital investment firm based in Bossier City, Louisiana, with activity across the Southeast United States. It specializes in funding early- and expansion-stage technology-driven companies, including life sciences, biotechnology, and cancer-related platforms, aiming to support scalable products and platforms in large markets. The firm tends to participate in portfolio companies through equity investments and often engages as a lead or co-investor, seeking board representation to guide growth. It targets exits through mergers, acquisitions, or initial public offerings as portfolio companies mature.

Globalstar offers low-cost satellite voice and data services to commercial and recreational users worldwide, serving markets such as recreation, government, oil and gas, maritime, construction, utilities, transportation, and natural resources. Established in 1991, it provides services through a constellation of Low Earth Orbiting satellites.

IBERIABANK Corporation is a financial holding company based in Lafayette, Louisiana, that operates IBERIABANK, a commercial bank founded in 1887. The bank provides a wide range of services, including commercial and private banking, mortgage lending, business and personal loans, and treasury management. In addition to retail banking, it offers wealth management and online banking services to clients across six states in the Southeast. IBERIABANK also encompasses Lenders Title Company, which provides title insurance and closing services, IBERIA Capital Partners, focusing on corporate finance, and IBERIA Asset Management, which delivers wealth management and trust services. Furthermore, IBERIA CDE LLC invests in purchased tax credits, contributing to the company's diverse portfolio. The acquisition of First Private Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiary bank in 2014 further expanded its service offerings and market presence.

CenturyLink is a leading telecommunications company based in Monroe, Louisiana, and ranks as the third largest in the United States. The company provides a wide range of services, including broadband internet, voice, and wireless communications for both residential and small business customers. In addition to these core offerings, CenturyLink also delivers advanced entertainment options through its Prism TV and DIRECTV brands. The company operates an extensive fiber optic network and multiple data centers, allowing it to serve various clients, including Fortune 500 companies and rural families. CenturyLink also offers managed services, security solutions, and devices for work-from-home or learning environments. Recognized for its leadership in network services, CenturyLink is included in the Fortune 500 list of America's largest corporations.

Black Bay Energy Capital is a private equity firm based in New Orleans, Louisiana. It specializes in mid-market investments and buyouts within the energy sector, particularly focusing on oilfield services in North America. The firm typically invests up to $30 million, preferring majority stakes.

Carr's Hill Partners is a private equity firm established in 2019 and located in New Orleans, Louisiana. The firm specializes in providing equity capital and expertise to lower middle-market companies in the industrial technology and services sectors, primarily targeting businesses based in North America, with a particular emphasis on the Gulf Coast region. Carr's Hill Partners aims to support the growth and development of these companies through strategic investments and operational guidance.

Brinker International, Inc. operates casual dining restaurants, primarily under the brands Chili's Grill & Bar and Maggiano's Little Italy. Chili's is known for its bar and grill offerings, featuring a menu that includes signature items such as slow-smoked baby back ribs, craft burgers, fajitas, and tableside guacamole. Maggiano's specializes in Italian cuisine, offering a diverse menu that includes appetizers, chicken, seafood, veal, prime steaks, and desserts. As of June 2013, Brinker International's system included 1,591 restaurants across 50 states and Washington, D.C., as well as locations in various countries including Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico. The company generates the majority of its revenue from the Chili's segment, reflecting its strong presence in the casual dining market.

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, originally founded as AFC Enterprises in Atlanta in 1992, is a prominent developer, operator, and franchisor of quick-service restaurants. The company specializes in the fast-food sector under the brand name Popeyes, offering a diverse menu that includes its signature spicy chicken, chicken tenders, fried shrimp, and various seafood options. With a focus on franchise operations, Popeyes has established a widespread presence, allowing customers access to its culinary offerings across multiple locations. In 2014, the company rebranded from AFC Enterprises to Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, reflecting its dedication to the unique flavors and heritage of Louisiana cuisine.

Founded in 1953, The Gray Insurance Company is a family-owned, relationship-based insurance provider. It specializes in Workers' Compensation, Automobile, and General Liability coverage, offering specific and aggregate policies. The company also provides Claims Management and Loss Prevention services.

Marucci Sports LLC is a manufacturer of baseball and softball equipment based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Established in 2004, the company specializes in providing a comprehensive range of products for players at all skill levels. Its offerings include wood and metal bats, fielding gloves, batting gloves, helmets, apparel, sunglasses, protective gear, bags, baseballs, and accessories. Additionally, Marucci Sports produces fastpitch tools, such as specialized bats and gloves, along with protective products and apparel. The company primarily sells its products online, catering to a diverse community of baseball and softball enthusiasts.

TechFarms is a consulting firm that offers hybrid outsourcing, staff augmentation, product development, and mail services. It also operates a venture capital arm, TechFarms Capital, which makes early-stage and seed investments in technology startups, with a focus on Intelligent Systems and Cybersecurity in the Southeast United States, and is based in Panama City Beach, Florida.

Farmland Partners is a real estate company that owns and acquires high-quality farmland across North America. Its portfolio spans over 152,000 acres in multiple states, primarily used for growing primary crops like corn, soybeans, and wheat. The company generates revenue through rental income from its tenants.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc. is a public utility holding company based in Houston, Texas, engaged in the delivery of energy services across various segments. The company provides electric transmission and distribution services, primarily serving over 2.5 million customers in the Houston area and southern Indiana. Its Natural Gas Distribution segment supplies regulated intrastate natural gas and transportation services to approximately 4 million customers, encompassing residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. Additionally, CenterPoint Energy's Energy Services division offers natural gas supplies and management services, while its Infrastructure Services segment focuses on underground pipeline construction and repair. The company also participates in midstream operations, providing natural gas and crude oil gathering and processing services, as well as pipeline transportation and storage. Founded in 1866, CenterPoint Energy plays a vital role in the energy sector, operating across multiple states including Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Established in 2013 and based in the United States, South Oak Capital Partners is an independent principal investment firm specializing in private equity investments.

Hilcorp Energy is a privately-held independent oil and natural gas exploration and production company headquartered in Houston, Texas. Founded in 1989, Hilcorp focuses on acquiring, owning, and operating oil and natural gas fields across multiple regions in the United States, including the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana, the Northeast, Wyoming, New Mexico, and Alaska's Cook Inlet and North Slope. With a workforce of over 1,825 employees, the company has gained recognition as one of the top places to work in America, according to various regional and national publications.

Founded in 2019, Cancer Focus Fund is a venture capital firm based in Shreveport, Louisiana. It specializes in investing in cancer therapies at or near FDA Phase 1 or Phase 2 human clinical trials.

Tellurian Inc. is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company based in Houston, Texas, focused on developing a comprehensive portfolio in the natural gas sector. The company is engaged in natural gas production, liquefied natural gas (LNG) marketing, and infrastructure development. It is working on a significant LNG terminal facility in southwest Louisiana, which has a capacity of approximately 27.6 million tons per annum, along with associated pipeline infrastructure. Tellurian also holds interests in over 10,000 net acres and operates 67 producing wells in the Haynesville Shale region of north Louisiana. The company's operations are structured into three segments: Upstream, Midstream, and Marketing & Trading, with the majority of its revenue derived from the Marketing & Trading segment, which focuses on purchasing and selling natural gas and marketing LNG production. Founded in 2016, Tellurian aims to establish a leading position in the global LNG market.

Forty5 Ventures is a venture capital firm based in New Orleans, Louisiana, founded in 2019. It concentrates on early-stage investments in technology companies with emerging and disruptive innovations. The firm pursues a long-term approach, seeking to build sizable companies that also do good, and it targets opportunities globally to support portfolio growth from inception through scale.

Advano, also known as NanoStar, Inc., is a New Orleans-based company that specializes in silicon nanotechnology, focusing on the development of advanced silicon anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. Founded in 2014 and a graduate of Y Combinator in 2017, Advano offers scalable solutions that enhance the energy density and longevity of lithium-ion batteries by integrating or replacing traditional graphite components. Its innovative products cater to various industries, including electric vehicles and consumer electronics, and are designed to improve energy storage and charging capabilities. By providing low-cost, high-performance materials, Advano aims to support the domestic battery supply chain and facilitate the transition to sustainable energy solutions.

Altice USA is a leading broadband communications and video services provider in the United States, serving over 4.9 million residential and business customers across 21 states. It offers innovative products such as high-speed internet, pay television, telephony services, Wi-Fi hotspots, proprietary content, advertising services, international news, and hyper-local news tailored for specific communities.

United Fire Group is an insurance company headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, founded in 1946. It provides insurance protection for businesses and individuals through a network of independent agents across the United States. The company works with more than 1,000 independent agencies in 43 states and the District of Columbia, and offers life insurance through more than 900 independent life agents in 36 states. It employs over 900 people and maintains offices in Iowa (home office) and additional locations including California, Colorado, Louisiana, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Texas.

Founded in 1980, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering sustainable communities across America. LISC provides comprehensive community development programs, including loans, grants, equity investments, technical assistance, and policy support to local organizations. Its mission is to transform distressed neighborhoods into healthy, sustainable, and thriving communities.

Specialty Welding and Turnarounds is a service provider that delivers specialty welding, piping fabrication, and technical maintenance for the oil and gas, petrochemical, and industrial sectors. Founded in 2014 and based in Gonzales, Louisiana, the company manages both planned and unplanned turnaround projects, including FCCU, cokers, gas, crude, ammonia, and power plant operations. Its offerings encompass furnace and boiler erection, tower and drum work, heat exchanger services, quality assurance, general contracting, and subcontractor coordination. The firm emphasizes high craftsmanship and project controls to support clients’ operational reliability.

Founded in 1994, Band of Angels is a group of over 130 high-tech executives who invest time and capital into early-stage, cutting-edge companies. They focus on seed and early-round investments ($300k-$750k) across various tech sectors, with a preference for California-based companies. The group expects to own around one-third of the company for a $1M investment.

Craftsman Capital Partners is a private equity firm based in Dallas, Texas, established in 2014. The firm specializes in management buyouts, growth capital, control recapitalizations, family successions, corporate divestitures, and complex special situation investments. Craftsman Capital focuses on lower middle market companies primarily located in Texas and surrounding states, targeting sectors such as energy services, manufacturing, service-oriented businesses, value-added distribution, consumer products, healthcare, education services, and information technology. The firm typically invests in companies with EBITDA between $1 million and $5 million, enterprise values ranging from $5 million to $50 million, and revenues between $5 million and $100 million. Investments generally fall within the range of $5 million to $20 million, with transaction sizes between $5 million and $50 million.

Union Pacific is the largest railroad company in North America, operating over 32,000 route miles across 23 states west of Chicago. It specializes in transporting a wide range of goods including coal, industrial products, intermodal containers, agriculture goods, chemicals, fertilizers, and automotive goods. Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, Union Pacific employs approximately 45,000 people.

Perkin Industries is a diversified portfolio of high-performance small and medium-sized companies, each run by successful entrepreneurs with over three years of operating history. These companies have growth opportunities and generate cash.

Dos Rios Partners is a private equity firm founded in 2013, headquartered in Austin, Texas with an additional office in Dallas. The firm specializes in investing in proven, growing niche businesses across various sectors, focusing on companies based between the Rio Grande and Mississippi rivers. Dos Rios prefers investments of $5 million to $15 million in companies with EBITDA between $3 million and $12 million.

The National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency in the United States that funds and supports research and education in science and engineering. It funds fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering and administers non-dilutive funding programs to aid early‑stage technology development, helping translate discoveries into commercially viable products and services. Through grants and fellowships, the NSF supports researchers, educators, and startups, contributing to innovation and U.S. competitiveness. The agency operates with a substantial budget to advance science, engineering, and STEM education nationwide.