Meet the local businesses selected for Shell and LiftFund accelerator program

Shell USA, Inc., in collaboration with LiftFund, identified Louisiana as the perfect home for its global flagship enterprise development program, Shell LiveWIRE. The Louisiana edition of this program, launched at the beginning of March, equips entrepreneurs, micro and small business owners with the technical, business, and soft skills necessary to succeed.

The 25 businesses selected to participate in the first Shell LiveWIRE Louisiana cohort are derived from such industries as construction, farming, health & beauty, restaurants, mental health, landscaping and more. LiftFund acts as the local implementing partner for the program, bringing a proven curriculum customized to meet the needs of the Shell LiveWIRE Louisiana cohort class. The sessions are delivered by local subject-matter experts, including Chase Bank, Fletcher Technical Community College, Louisiana Community and Technical College Systems, and LiftFund experts.

The program aims to connect participants to support networks within the market to help build and expand successful businesses across 13 rural parishes in South Louisiana: Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Saint Charles, Saint James, Saint John the Baptist, Saint Mary, and Terrebonne.

“LiftFund is proud to partner with Shell to design and host the LiveWIRE Louisiana program customized to fit the needs of aspiring and existing South Louisiana entrepreneurs,” said Bridget Ross, LiftFund’s Vice President of Business Support. “This is a one-of-a-kind program that offers training, tools, mentorship, and capital to support diverse entrepreneurs in all stages of business. Through our local New Orleans office and business support team, we welcome the opportunity to collaborate with local organizations to provide resources that will help strengthen the South Louisiana entrepreneurial ecosystem for years to come!”

Notes to editors

• About Shell LiveWIRE

Shell LiveWIRE is the flagship enterprise development program of Shell. The program strengthens local economies across the globe by promoting entrepreneurship and developing entrepreneurs.

Shell LiveWIRE’s mission is to stimulate the local economy through entrepreneurship, innovation, and meaningful employment. Every year Shell LiveWIRE supports thousands of individuals to access the knowledge, skills, networks and resources to turn their business ideas into successful enterprises that provide sustainable incomes, create jobs and drive innovation.

Started in Scotland in 1982, the program is now delivered in 20 countries around the world, making a positive social impact in the communities in which Shell operates. In 2021 alone, Shell LiveWIRE trained 3,615 entrepreneurs, supported 673 businesses, created 2,272 local jobs, and created 126 new businesses.

• About LiftFund

LiftFund, a nonprofit community small business lender, transforms lives by opening doors, leveling the financial playing field and building a community of shared success through entrepreneurship. Founded in 1994 in San Antonio, Texas, LiftFund provides capital, financial coaching, tools and resources to entrepreneurs who do not have access to loans from commercial sources. Since inception, LiftFund has provided almost $1 billion in capital, propelling the dreams of over 25,000 diverse small businesses throughout its 15-state footprint.

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The companies in which Shell plc directly and indirectly owns investments are separate legal entities. In this announcement “Shell”, “Shell Group” and “Group” are sometimes used for convenience where references are made to Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words “we”, “us” and “our” are also used to refer to Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These terms are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular entity or entities. ‘‘Subsidiaries’’, “Shell subsidiaries” and “Shell companies” as used in this announcement refer to entities over which Shell plc either directly or indirectly has control. Entities and unincorporated arrangements over which Shell has joint control are generally referred to as “joint ventures” and “joint operations”, respectively. “Joint ventures” and “joint operations” are collectively referred to as “joint arrangements”. Entities over which Shell has significant influence but neither control nor joint control are referred to as “associates”. The term “Shell interest” is used for convenience to indicate the direct and/or indirect ownership interest held by Shell in an entity or unincorporated joint arrangement, after exclusion of all third-party interest.

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