Entrepreneurial Assistance

Opportunity Machine, Lafayette’s Center for Entrepreneurs, provides business education, guidance and risk reduction to startup founders and small business owners through training, mentorship, networking, and affordable workspace.

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Doing Business in Lafayette, LA

It’s Lafayette’s wildcatter mentality, our entrepreneurial spirit, that makes the area unique.

Entrepreneurs have created a progressive business community in Lafayette. In fact, Lafayette has been recognized as one of the best cities in the nation for start-ups and entrepreneurs by multiple media outlets.


Based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 7.4% of adults are self-employed in Lafayette—that places Lafayette second out of 11 southern metro areas studied in the Lafayette Benchmarking Report. Lafayette also ranks first for the number of small businesses, less than 20 employees, per 1,000 population.  What do these numbers mean? They mean the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in Lafayette.


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Opportunity Machine's mission is to support and elevate early-stage technology, research-driven, and innovative startups. OM's focus lies in nurturing tech and tech-enabled ventures through specialized business education, targeted mentorship, strategic networking opportunities, and a workspace environment designed to meet high-growth startups' dynamic needs. In 2022, the OM moved to a new facility — a 20,000-square-foot Innovation Center in Downtown Lafayette.

Photo of Destin Ortego

Destin Ortego

Executive Director
(337) 769-4085
Photo of Alex Boudreaux

Alex Boudreaux

Office Administrator
(337) 769-4085
Photo of Theresa Goldkamp

Theresa Goldkamp

Community Coordinator
(337) 769-4085
Photo of Katherine Nebel

Katherine Nebel

Development Manager
(337) 769-4085

Visit OM Site

OM Graduates



Resources for Entrepreneurs

The Louisiana Small Business Development Center at UL Lafayette is an award-winning center with a highly qualified team of consultants who have been recognized by their peers for their top-quality consulting services. Since opening its doors in 1983, the Center has established a solid reputation as an effective business assistance agency in the community, eager to help small businesses prosper.


Visit LSBDC Site

What’s your business idea? Contact us.

Image for Destin Ortego

Destin Ortego

Executive Director
(337) 769-4085
destin@opportunitymachine.org