The Louisiana Business & Technology Center (LBTC), an integral part of the E. J. Ourso College of Business at Louisiana State University, endeavors to enhance economic development in Louisiana through the support of existing small businesses and the development of new businesses. The LBTC, acting as a proving ground for technology applications and utilization, will serve to stimulate small business formation, growth, and survival. By fostering growth in the new business segment, diversification occurs, and jobs are created, further expanding Louisiana's economic development.

LBTC provides the following services:

• Small business incubation services
• Management assistance and small business counseling services
• Technology Transfer and Commercialization Assistance and SBIR/STTR assistance
• Financial analysis in preparation for access to capital
• Entrepreneurial educational training
• Referral to fee-based professional and advisor resources

BACKGROUND

The LBTC began its operations on the LSU Campus in 1988 under a joint venture agreement between LSU, the Greater Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce and the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority. The LBTC is in its 19th year of operations and is located on the new LSU South Campus Research Park. The LBTC was chartered to provide assistance to small businesses and entrepreneurs, to be LSU’s contact in the business community and on economic development activities within the Capital City Region and the State of Louisiana. The LBTC utilizes:

• Its 25,000 square foot high-tech small business incubator, 2005 Randall Whaley Award for the NO. 1 Technology Incubator and the NBIA Business Incubator of the Year in North America,  
• The  LSBDC Technology Center at LSU, a designated “Best Practices” center by a national accreditation committee and works statewide with Louisiana's technology based companies,
• Its NASA Stennis Space Center Office which assists with technology transfer assistance requests, Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer programs, SBIR/STTR Phase Zero Program in Louisiana.

MISSION

The LBTC strives to assist entrepreneurs and small business with access to the resources they need to grow and attain long-term success. The LBTC plays a crucial role in the economic development future of Louisiana by supporting Vision 2020, a program designed to enhance the economic potential of Louisiana, and by promoting the formation and growth of business, cultivating jobs, and commercializing technology.  The LBTC is the catalyst in making LSU an economic development engine for Louisiana.