Doing Good

Propeller: A Force for Social Innovation

Propeller: A Force for Social Innovation - Dirty Coast

Propeller was founded in 2009 to carry the momentum of rebuilding post-Katrina, into tackling systemic issues that existed long before the storm hit.They provide a social, environmental, and economic impact on New Orleans by incubating ventures that have the potential to solve our city’s most pressing challenges.

Since 2009, Propeller has launched 100+ social ventures working to solve issues involving food, water, health, and education. They have generated over $60 million in external revenue and financing, the result of which created over 250 full and part-time jobs for New Orleanians. Propeller has also awarded over $100,000 in seed funding to social entrepreneurs through its PitchNOLA series. They have worked with local advocates to pass state legislation, implement state policy for universal School Lunch participation, and benefit Corporation legislation providing an alternate corporate entity for social ventures.

Propeller was founded in 2009 to carry the momentum of rebuilding post-Katrina into tackling systemic issues that existed long before the storm hit. They provide a social, environmental, and economic impact on New Orleans by incubating ventures that have the potential to solve our city’s most pressing challenges.

2006: In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Andrea Chen (Propeller's Executive Director) and a group of friends revive the volunteer-run Social Entrepreneurs of New Orleans.

2009: Propeller is founded and begins mobilizing people, telling their stories, and offering support to social entrepreneurs.

2011: Propeller launches its first accelerator program, supporting nine entrepreneurs making social and environmental impact.

2012: Propeller expands into a 10,000 square foot space, creating a co-working space for social entrepreneurs. Located at a “crossroads” intersection at the heart of the city, the space is part of a larger effort to breathe life back into an area that stagnated long before the hurricane hit. 

2014: More than 65 organizations and 100 people work out of Propeller on a daily basis; Propeller’s fourth accelerator class begins, bringing the total number of accelerated ventures to 60.

2015: Propeller expands its accelerator programming, providing more focused sector support and more than doubling the number of social ventures it serves per year, totaling 90 ventures launched. 

To follow them online and stay informed as to their work visit gopropeller.org

Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.  

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