Tulane Ventures 
Seed Funding for Louisiana Startups

 

Dylan Murray, Matt Wisdom, Brett Hurt, Kimberly Gramm

Tulane Ventures investees Dylan Murray (Exactics) and Matt Wisdom (Civilized AI), pictured with Brett Hurt and Tulane Ventures managing director Kimberly Gramm


Tulane Ventures is a university-affiliated venture capital fund launched in 2023 under the Tulane Innovation Institute. The Tulane Ventures Seed Fund is a $10 million fund that actively deploys capital at the pre-seed and seed stages, with a sector focus on health/medical, energy/climate, and AI/ML/tech-enabled companies. Based in New Orleans, Louisiana, Tulane Ventures invests in the Louisiana startup ecosystem and beyond.


What We're Looking For

Tulane Ventures invests in seed-stage companies with checks ranging from $25,000 to $250,000. We look for strong, venture-backable founders with significant exit potential. A Louisiana presence — either an office or an in-state employee — is required, though this is often solvable. Reach out even if you're not yet established in-state.

Traction and revenue are preferred, but pre-revenue companies in biotech and life sciences will be considered. A Tulane connection is not required — any founder who fits the investment thesis is welcome to apply. We particularly welcome Tulane alumni anywhere in the country, Tulane faculty and staff spin-outs, and Louisiana-based entrepreneurs.


Our Sector Focus

  • Health / Medical
  • Energy / Climate
  • AI / ML / Tech-Enabled
     


The Tulane Network | Our Value Add

Portfolio companies gain access to the full Tulane network, including introductions to the Investment Committee — operators, executives, and domain experts — and access to GWIN (Green Wave Innovation Network) mentors and advisors. Founders can connect with Tulane faculty, clinicians, and researchers for pilots, partnerships, and research collaborations. Tulane Ventures also supports university commercialization and spin-outs, serving as a bridge from Tulane IP to venture.

Co-investment relationships with Benson Capital, 1834 Ventures, Boot64, Idea Village, and NOSF plug founders into the broader Louisiana and national ecosystem.

For Tulane alumni building companies outside Louisiana, Tulane Ventures can reconnect you to the network and open doors you may not have leveraged since graduation.


Portfolio Companies

Tulane Ventures portfolio companies include Nest Health, CampusKnot, Exactics, Hello Gravel, Hilight, Informuta, ARIX, Civilized, and Beken Bio.


How to Apply

Founders apply here by first creating a Venture Profile, then completing the intake form. The application requires CEO contact information, founder and co-founder ownership breakdown, company name, website, and founding date, a short company description and vision, industry vertical selection, Louisiana business authorization and office status, funding raised to date, current valuation and round size, a pitch deck, and acknowledgment of SSBCI eligibility rules.