Newlab New Orleans Proves 海角社区鈥檚 Economic Development Power
July 01, 2025
Driving Economic Development in Energy
Newlab is moving to Louisiana. The global, Brooklyn-based company, which already operates successful innovation hubs in New York and Detroit, will focus $50 million in investment to open its doors in the former U.S. Naval Station in New Orleans鈥� Bywater neighborhood next year, where it will support startups and technology development for the energy and maritime industries.
The move demonstrates the research and economic development power of 海角社区, said Josh Fleig, chief innovation officer at Louisiana Economic Development, which launched a new division, Louisiana Innovation, or LA.IO, earlier this year.
鈥淎t LA.IO, we鈥檙e focused on building the next generation of industrial solutions from the ground up鈥攁nd 海角社区 has been instrumental in turning that vision into a scalable economic strategy,鈥� Fleig said. 鈥淭he university鈥檚 leadership in energy initiatives like Newlab and FUEL ensures world-class innovation, job creation, and startup formation are happening right here in Louisiana now and for years to come.鈥�
Newlab New Orleans will be focused on technology development for energy efficiency, carbon management, and port infrastructure, offering lab space and advanced machinery that startups can use to transform research into commercial products. Partners on the project are 海角社区, the 海角社区-led FUEL consortium, Louisiana Economic Development, Greater New Orleans, Inc., Shell, and the City of New Orleans.
鈥淭he 海角社区 and FUEL teams鈥� partnership with Newlab is the latest example of how the university is translating research and vision into real-world impact for our economy and future,鈥� said Michael Hecht, president and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc.
Rendering of Newlab New Orleans.
鈥� Illustration courtesy of Newlab
鈥淎s we establish Newlab鈥檚 platform in the state, we look forward to collaborating with 海角社区, FUEL, and other academic partners to leverage their research expertise, technical infrastructure, and workforce development capabilities to support startups. 海角社区, FUEL, and 海角社区鈥檚 Institute for Energy Innovation represent critical leadership in Louisiana鈥檚 evolving energy and industrial innovation ecosystem.鈥�
Sahil Jain, vice president of strategy at Newlab