Launch Pad was the first coworking space to open in New Orleans back in 2009. Since then, the company has expanded and opened a network of shared workspaces throughout the country, all located within Opportunity Zones.
Opportunity Zones were created two years ago to spur economic development and job creation in distressed communities across the country.
To help increase access to entrepreneurial opportunity in Opportunity Zones, Launch Pad announced the creation of its nonprofit arm, the Launch Pad Foundation.
Through scholarships, curriculum, and programming focused on Opportunity Zones, the Launch Pad Foundation wants to help catalyze economic renewal through entrepreneurship.
“The economic geography of the United States is increasingly uneven,” explains the Launch Pad Foundation. “There are many reasons, but one of the biggest is that significant barriers exist for entrepreneurs across the country. Launch Pad is committed to reducing these barriers. Because each of our locations is within an area designated as an Opportunity Zone, we are working to channel more financial investment to entrepreneurs in underserved communities.”
In September, Launch Pad Foundation announced a partnership with Grapevine to help businesses in the Stockton area get the philanthropic resources they need to take advantage of operating within Opportunity Zones.
To learn more about the Launch Pad Foundation, visit lp.co/foundation.