Biography
Marco Melero is a Venture Capital Analyst at the Tulane University Innovation Institute, where he supports Tulane Ventures—a $10M seed fund investing in tech-enabled startups across health, energy, and AI/data sectors in New Orleans. In this role, he helps manage deal flow, due diligence, and portfolio support for early-stage companies. Marco also plays a key role in venture programming at the university business school.
Prior to joining Tulane, Marco worked in economic development at the New Orleans Business Alliance. He led research and business development initiatives across sectors, including biosciences, retail, and small business growth. Marco's financial expertise includes reducing investment risk on a $1.4MM EDA grant for biosciences facilities by conducting thorough asset analysis. His financial analysis of a greenspace project helped raise $100K for further research and sustainable development. In retail, Marco performed market and consumer analysis for a local business, assisting it in opening a brick-and-mortar store and exceeding first-quarter sales goals by $20K. He has presented his findings to a variety of audiences, including a state legislative caucus, city council members, and numerous businesses. Leading market research projects across retirement communities, electric vehicles, and vertical farming sectors, Marco provided strategic insights to guide senior management decisions. Marco also served as the administrator for the BioDistrict New Orleans, an economic development district (EDD), supporting the EDD through scheduling and facilitating meetings, state reporting, document procurement, and registration to support the district's growth as part of a $70MM tax increment financing deal with the City of New Orleans. As a Tulane economics graduate with additional experience in economic development, Marco is dedicated to fostering growth for local startups and strengthening the regional economy.
