Newlab New Orleans Proves LSU’s Economic Development Power
July 01, 2025
Driving Economic Development in Energy
Rendering of the planned Newlab New Orleans facility.
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’ 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 LSU, said Josh Fleig, chief innovation officer at Louisiana Economic Development, which launched a new division, Louisiana Innovation, or LA.IO, earlier this year.
“At LA.IO, we’re focused on building the next generation of industrial solutions from the ground up—and LSU has been instrumental in turning that vision into a scalable economic strategy,” Fleig said. “The university’s 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.”
Partners on the project are LSU, the LSU-led FUEL consortium, Louisiana Economic Development, Greater New Orleans, Inc., Shell, and the City of New Orleans.
“We’re proud to partner with LSU, whose research and talent are critical to turning bold ideas into economic opportunities,” said Jeff Schwartz, Director of Economic Development for the City of New Orleans. “Through Newlab, LSU is helping ensure the next generation of innovators can build meaningful careers right here at home.”
The LSU-led FUEL team, which won a historic $160 million award by the National Science Foundation last year to future-proof Louisiana’s energy industry and received an additional $67.5 million in support from Louisiana Economic Development, has committed $15 million to launch Newlab New Orleans.
“Newlab has already proposed a number of joint efforts with FUEL that will unlock the amazing opportunities this initiative brings for Louisiana energy entrepreneurs,” said Mike Mazzola, executive director of FUEL, an acronym for Future Use of Energy in Louisiana.
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. The company’s goal is to attract and accelerate more than 125 startups within the first five years.
“As we establish Newlab’s platform in the state, we look forward to collaborating with LSU, FUEL, and other academic partners to leverage their research expertise, technical infrastructure, and workforce development capabilities to support startups with the tools they need to commercialize critical technologies and scale impactful solutions,” said Sahil Jain, vice president of strategy at Newlab. “LSU, FUEL, and LSU’s Institute for Energy Innovation represent critical leadership in Louisiana’s evolving energy and industrial innovation ecosystem.”
LSU Vice President of Research & Economic Development spoke at the Newlab announcement at the Capitol earlier this year: “Newlab’s expansion into New Orleans sends a clear signal: with partners like LSU, LED, GNO, Inc., and the City of New Orleans, energy innovation is accelerating here faster than anywhere else. We’re excited to keep that momentum going so founders in Louisiana can shape the future of global energy.”
– Photo by Katherine Seghers, LSU
“We look forward to working more closely with Newlab to commercialize technologies that our researchers are developing in industrial power and carbon management and utilization,” LSU Institute for Energy Innovation Executive Director Brad Ives said.
Newlab first connected with LSU through two U.S. Department of Energy-backed programs that focused on accelerating the commercialization of hydrogen and carbon management technologies. These programs, launched last year, involved connecting startups with industry partners like Shell, the key founding partner behind the LSU Institute for Energy Innovation.
“Newlab’s arrival in Louisiana speaks to the momentum we’ve been able to build with LSU through our support for the LSU Institute for Energy Innovation and the LSU-led FUEL team to drive the development of new energy technologies and a larger, skilled workforce. Our industry thrives on innovation, and Newlab adds to what Shell is already doing with LSU to scale innovative solutions to support global energy operations.”
Selda Gunsel, Shell Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President, Technology
Shell, Louisiana Economic Development, and Greater New Orleans, Inc. all partnered with LSU on the winning FUEL team.
“GNO, Inc. has been proud to partner with LSU on transformative initiatives—like the FUEL NSF Engine—that position Louisiana as a global leader in energy innovation,” said Michael Hecht, president and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. “The LSU and FUEL teams’ 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.”
Read more: Newlab Expands to Louisiana with New Energy-Focused Innovation Hub (Louisiana Economic Development, May 12, 2025)
Next Step
LSU's Scholarship First Agenda is helping achieve health, prosperity, and security for Louisiana and the world.