Global venture platform Newlab has announced the launch of Newlab New Orleans, a new innovation hub aimed at reindustrializing and diversifying Louisiana’s energy sector through the development, demonstration and scaling of critical technologies.
The initiative is backed by a public-private partnership that includes Louisiana Economic Development, the City of New Orleans, LSU, Greater New Orleans, Inc., Shell and the NSF-supported Future Use of Energy in Louisiana (FUEL) project.
Located at the historic Naval Support Activity site—once a 1.5 million-square-foot Navy logistics hub—the new facility will provide industrial-scale space and equipment for startups to fabricate and test demonstration-ready technologies. The site, being reimagined by EMDRC Partners and the city, is positioned at the intersection of the Mississippi River and the Intercoastal Industrial Canal.
Newlab New Orleans will focus on three priority sectors: industrial power (including hydrogen and grid resiliency), carbon management and utilization (such as carbon-to-product innovations), and shipping and maritime decarbonization.
David Belt, co-founder and CEO of Newlab, cites Louisiana’s industrial infrastructure and energy expertise as key drivers of the decision.
“Louisiana’s legacy in commercial-scale energy projects, existing industrial infrastructure, and technical workforce create the perfect foundation to build a startup ecosystem that will future-proof the state’s economy,” he said in making the announcement.
The announcement builds on Newlab’s existing work in Louisiana, including DOE-backed commercialization programs launched last year to accelerate clean hydrogen and carbon capture technologies. Startups supported by Newlab include Mantel Capture and Arculus Solutions, both of which are deploying carbon management solutions with local partners such as Shell, Carbonvert and N2 Solutions.
LED Chief Innovation Officer Josh Fleig added that the hub positions Louisiana to lead on a global scale. “Louisiana is setting a benchmark for how reindustrialization can drive sustainable economic growth, energy innovation, and technology leadership on a global scale,” he said.
Newlab’s expansion into Louisiana follows the establishment of similar hubs in Brooklyn, Detroit, Montevideo and Riyadh, as part of its global strategy to catalyze economic transformation through technology commercialization.
