Advancing Diversity in Life Sciences (ADLS) Program

Unlocking the Potential of Underrepresented Entrepreneurs in Life Sciences

The ADLS program, led by the New Orleans BioInnovation Center (NOBIC) and funded through the support of the JPMorgan Chase Foundation, is designed to democratize access to capital for underrepresented BIPOC and female life-science entrepreneurs in Louisiana. Through strategic partnerships, such as with Xavier University, and a comprehensive support system, ADLS offers:

Intellectual Property & Patent Support
Investor Introductions
Peer Mentor Networks
Grant Application Assistance (SBIR/STTR)
Access to Wet Labs, Office & Conference Spaces

The program addresses systemic barriers, fostering economic growth and innovation in New Orleans’ life-science ecosystem.

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The Challenge

50th
Louisiana’s health outcomes ranking nationally.

0.85%
VC dollars raised by Black and Latina women in the U.S.

The Opportunity

$7.2B
Healthcare sector contribution to New Orleans’ GDP.

6th
Ranking of Louisiana women-owned businesses per capita.

Program Focus

Capital Access: Democratizing funding for underrepresented founders.
Technical Assistance: Legal, accounting, and commercialization services.
Inclusive Outreach: Targeting local BIPOC and female innovators.
Networking Events & Workshops: Facilitating relationships between entrepreneurs and investors.

NOBIC Impact and Success

1,000+ Jobs Created through supported innovators.
$500 Million+ Raised by program alumni.
$5 Million Invested by BioFund into 30+ startups.
80+ Grant Applications supported by the commercialization team.

About NOBIC

The New Orleans BioInnovation Center (NOBIC) is a nonprofit business incubator advancing life science entrepreneurship and commercialization in Louisiana. By bridging the gap between higher education and private sectors, NOBIC nurtures innovation and drives economic growth through programs like ADLS.

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