Social Entrepreneurship in New Orleans: A Look Back at 2014

12 November 2015

2014 saw the graduation of Propeller's 4th accelerator class, bringing the total social ventures launched from our accelerator programs to 60.

Propeller's impact in 2014 spanned from widespread economic development like job creation to measurable impact within our four sectors of food, water, health, and education.

From the Executive Director & Board Chairs

This report comes at a critical moment for Propeller and for New Orleans. The 10th Anniversary of Katrina is a citywide reminder of our progress, but also a benchmark for how much is left to be done; it reminds us of the momentum following the storm and inspires us to ensure we carry our progress forward.

Propeller’s impact on the New Orleans community has been significant and measurable. In just four years, Propeller has launched 60 ventures from our accelerator programming, collectively generating over $24 million in incremental revenue and financing, creating 120 full and part-time jobs, and serving thousands of New Orleanians.

We have grown from a one-employee organization camping out in a hallway in 2011 to a staff of ten working out of a 10,000 square foot facility that is home to over 65 organizations and more than 100 individuals in 2015. We have built a solid track record of impact and execution that lays the foundation for growth, scale, and the kind of change that truly moves the needle on our community’s biggest challenges.

In 2011, we did not imagine we would be where we are at today, and we owe much of that progress to you – our funders, supporters, and friends who make our work possible. As we look ahead, our road to deepened impact is to build the components of the entrepreneurial ecosystem to tackle key challenges in our issue areas of food security, water, healthcare, and education to make substantial, quantitative change for underserved individuals.

In this report, we share highlights of the work we do to make New Orleans a more prosperous, equitable city. As we step forward into the next ten years, we invite you to join us as we propel our city and its social entrepreneurs forward.

Sincerely,

Andrea Chen, Co-Founder & Executive Director

Linda Usdin, Board Chair (2014-present)

Neil Gibbons, Board Chair (2011-2014)

Download Propeller's 2014 Annual Report