BATON ROUGE, LA — March 18, 2026 — Louisiana Innovation (LA.IO), a division of Louisiana Economic Development (LED), announced the launch of the Water Innovation Studio of Louisiana in partnership with The Water Institute, a new initiative designed to accelerate development, testing and deployment of technologies addressing critical water challenges.
“Louisiana’s relationship with water has shaped our industries and communities for generations. The Water Innovation Studio builds on that foundation by pairing applied technology with real-world expertise, ensuring that new ideas can be tested, commercialized and scaled here at home. By advancing innovation in a sector where we already lead, we are strengthening the industries that power Louisiana and creating new opportunities for long-term growth.”
LED Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois
Based at The Water Institute, the Water Innovation Studio will support researchers, engineers and entrepreneurs developing solutions for flooding, aquifer depletion, stormwater management and coastal risk. The Studio creates a clear pathway from research to real-world application and market deployment.
“Louisiana doesn’t have the luxury of studying water challenges from a distance. We live them. The Water Innovation Studio creates a place where new ideas can be tested against real conditions, alongside the communities and systems that manage water every day.”
President and CEO of The Water Institute Beaux Jones
Founded in 2011 in response to major hurricanes and oil spills that impacted Louisiana, The Water Institute brings 15 years of applied research experience addressing the state’s most complex water challenges and improving outcomes for communities, ecosystems and industries in Louisiana and beyond.
The Water Innovation Studio is one example of how Louisiana Innovation is strengthening the systems needed to accelerate commercialization statewide. As the state’s innovation arm, LA.IO works to connect industry expertise, research and capital to move new technologies from concept to commercialization. Through strategic partnerships and targeted investment, LA.IO creates the framework that allows initiatives like the Water Innovation Studio to launch, scale and deliver real economic impact in Louisiana.
“Water management is one of Louisiana’s defining strengths, and innovation is how we build on it. The Water Innovation Studio ensures that new ideas move into real-world deployment and the marketplace here at home. That momentum strengthens our industries and translates innovation into measurable impact.”
Chief Innovation Officer at LED Josh Fleig
The launch of the Water Innovation Studio expands opportunities to translate research insights into technologies and tools that can be deployed by governments, infrastructure operators and industry partners.
At launch, the Water Innovation Studio will operate two programs designed to accelerate solution development and market adoption.
The first program, Headwaters, is being developed in partnership with The Idea Village and focuses on early-stage innovation. The program pairs water domain experts with entrepreneurial support, prototyping resources and market validation tools to evaluate solution viability and identify potential pathways to adoption.
“Breakthrough ideas don’t become companies on their own. What programs like Headwaters do is give builders the space, mentorship, and momentum they need to take an idea and begin shaping it into something scalable.”
CEO of The Idea Village Jon Atkinson
The second program, Confluence, supports solutions that are ready to move beyond early development. Through Confluence, the Water Innovation Studio will work with partners to pilot technologies, support early deployments and connect innovators with the funding and partnerships needed to bring solutions to market.
Together, these programs reinforce Louisiana’s role as a center for water expertise while opening new pathways for innovation, entrepreneurship and investment in water-related technologies.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Emma Wagner, LED Communications Director
Emma.Wagner@la.gov
912.467.2117
About The Water Institute
The Water Institute is driven by the mission to reduce the vulnerability of people, communities, ecosystems, and economies through transformative approaches to interconnected environmental and social challenges. As an independent, applied research organization, the Institute advances actionable research, technology, and planning to support science-informed decision making. The Institute serves as a thought partner, leveraging expertise in multiple disciplines and engaging across multiple sectors — government, private industry, academia, and communities. The Institute was founded in 2011 in the aftermath of devastating hurricanes and oil spills. Headquartered in Louisiana, the Institute draws on its roots in the Mississippi River Delta and the Gulf Coast, where water is both a strength and a vulnerability, to tackle challenges wherever they are. The Water Institute envisions a future where all of humanity can adapt and thrive alongside nature in a changing world. Learn more at www.thewaterinstitute.org.
About The Idea Village
The Idea Village champions innovation and entrepreneurship in New Orleans and throughout the Gulf South. Since its founding in 2000, The Idea Village has supported over 23,700+ entrepreneurs with mentorship, coaching, and access to capital. Alumni companies have generated more than $2 billion in regional economic impact. A 501c3 non-profit, The Idea Village provides business accelerator programs that guide startups from the idea stage through venture capital rounds. The Idea Village works every day to cultivate a robust startup community and create an inclusive, vibrant, and future-driven economy. Further information can be found here: www.ideavillage.org.
About LA.IO
Louisiana Innovation (LA.IO) is a division of Louisiana Economic Development driving a statewide mission to strengthen and modernize the state’s core industries through innovation. LA.IO champions the growth of high-potential, tech-enabled startups by connecting founders with critical capital through initiatives like the $100M Louisiana Opportunity Capital, and by nurturing partnerships among accelerators, universities, investors and businesses around the state. By focusing on transformative areas such as artificial intelligence, LA.IO helps turn bold ideas into scalable businesses, positioning Louisiana as a national innovation leader. For more information, visit www.la.io.