Momentum Fund

Geographic Scope: Gulf South region (Louisiana, Gulf Coast)

Overview:
The Momentum Fund is a $7 million affiliated venture capital fund launched by The Idea Village in 2023. It is backed by 27 investors, including leading Gulf Coast founders, family offices, and Louisiana Economic Development's SSBCI program. The fund is now fully operational and actively deploying capital into the Gulf South's most promising startups.

Purpose:
Investing in the next generation of startups from the Gulf South region, providing founder-friendly capital that validates innovation, unlocks additional outside capital, and fuels long-term growth. The fund aims to "add a '0'" to venture deals across the region.

Focus Areas:

• High-growth ventures across a range of industries (demonstrated investments in bulk aggregates, glass recycling/coastal restoration, and other sectors)
• Venture-scale startups

Eligibility:

• Must be: VILLAGEx accelerator alumni (or equivalent earlier iterations like IDEAx) from the last five years
• Must raise: Minimum $400,000 in outside equity capital to trigger eligibility
• Investment Match: For every $4 of outside investment, companies receive $1 of Momentum Fund investment (above minimum, up to allocation cap)
• Timeline: 18 months from VILLAGEx graduation or IDEApitch prize winnings to raise qualifying round

What They Fund:

• Seed-stage startups that are alumni of VILLAGEx accelerator
• Companies demonstrating high growth potential and investment readiness

What They Don't Fund:

• Non-VILLAGEx alumni companies
• Companies that do not raise minimum $400,000 from outside investors
• Companies failing to meet investment criteria within 18-month trigger window

Investment Philosophy:
Founder-first, patient capital approach. Companies that complete a rigorous accelerator program AND raise outside capital have significantly higher odds of success. The fund invests at market terms (valuation and structure) as established by third-party private capital participating in a company's open round.

Governance:
Independently managed by an investment board of three members who oversee implementation of investment thesis and direct decision-making for follow-on rounds. Board members include Jon Atkinson (CEO, The Idea Village), Rick Spencer (Managing Partner, Growth Factory Ventures), and Pat Riley (President, Morrow Global Network).

Portfolio Examples:

• Hello Gravel: Digital-first bulk aggregate ordering platform (2025 VILLAGEx alum)
• Glass Half Full: Glass recycling into sand for coastal restoration (2023 VILLAGEx alum, opened Louisiana's first glass recycling manufacturing facility in St. Bernard Parish)

Organization:
The Idea Village, a 501(c)(3) non-profit committed to helping startup founders across the Gulf Coast scale their ventures. Located at 900 Camp Street, Suite 308, New Orleans, LA 70130.

How to Apply for Momentum Fund Investment

Eligibility Trigger:
Companies automatically become eligible upon meeting these criteria:

1. Graduation from VILLAGEx accelerator (or equivalent earlier iterations)
2. Raising minimum $400,000 from outside investors

Application Process:

1. Pre-Application Readiness:
   • Successfully graduate from The Idea Village's VILLAGEx accelerator program
   • Most successful candidates will have:
   • Attended all in-person program events
   • Hit milestones set with your Entrepreneur-in-Residence
   • Developed a professional investor deck
   • Attended pitch coaching
   • Presented at Demo Day
   • Received overall positive recommendation from Advisory Board and mentors
2. Capital Raise:
   • Secure minimum $400,000 in outside equity capital from independent investors
   • Investment terms are shared with all VILLAGEx companies during or after program participation
3. Board Review and Approval:
   • Momentum Fund investment board reviews all applications
   • Board must approve each investment
   • Board can reject investments with unacceptable terms
4. Investment Agreement:
   • Accept Momentum Fund investment terms and conditions
   • All companies seeking investment must abide by fund terms
   • Complete investment terms available through The Idea Village

Investment Structure:

• Base Investment: $100,000 (for companies meeting core criteria)
• Investment Match: 4:1 ratio — for every $4 raised from outside investors, receive $1 from Momentum Fund (above minimum, up to allocation cap)
• IDEApitch Prize Track: Winners eligible for up to $250,000 investment prize through Momentum Fund

Timeline Requirement:

• Must raise qualifying $400,000+ round within 18 months of VILLAGEx graduation or IDEApitch prize winnings
• Funds allocated to companies not meeting this timeline will be reallocated

Follow-On Investment:

• Companies that receive initial Momentum Fund investment may be eligible for additional follow-on investment in subsequent up-rounds at fund's discretion
• Companies intending to raise $1M+ in subsequent rounds should contact The Idea Village

Contact for Questions:
Email: innovation@ideavillage.org
Phone: Available Monday-Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm CST
Address: 900 Camp Street, Suite 308, New Orleans, LA 70130