Interview with Josh Fleig, Louisiana's Chief Innovation Officer, Discusses Economic Development
The Louisiana Economic Development (LED) has undergone a significant transformation, re-aligning its department to move faster and foster innovation. This shift is marked by legislation that reforms its leadership and removes bureaucratic barriers to speed.
Josh Fleig, the Chief Innovation Officer at Louisiana Economic Development, is leading this pioneering charge. With a background rooted in technology and pioneering companies, Fleig's passion for driving change and experience in diversifying Louisiana's economy make him an ideal choice for this role.
Fleig's primary responsibility is to drive innovation across Louisiana, including supporting startups, commercializing research, and shaping forward-thinking policy. He aims to create tools such as grants, incentives, and investment capital to help businesses and research institutions turn bold ideas into economic growth.
Louisiana is building upon its reputation as an oil and gas hub by positioning itself as a living lab for energy innovation. Projects like H2theFuture and Louisiana State University's Future Use of Energy in Louisiana (FUEL) program are examples of this effort. The new administration has also crafted an incentive for AI and technology companies to establish themselves in Louisiana, leading to the announcement of Meta's AI hyperscale data center in Northeast Louisiana.
Fleig's objectives for Louisiana include strengthening the startup ecosystem, leading in innovation policy, commercially research, and enhancing Louisiana’s narrative. He aims to improve access to coaching, capital, and customers to help startups grow and scale within the state. He also seeks to shape policies that attract investment and encourage innovation across sectors. Through partnerships with higher education institutions, Fleig aims to translate local research into new businesses and products. Lastly, he plans to better tell Louisiana's innovation story nationally to attract talent, investment, and partnerships.
One of the challenges faced by Fleig and the team is breaking the perception that Louisiana is only about legacy industries like oil, gas, agriculture, and tourism. However, Louisiana is leveraging these industries as a foundation for innovation, particularly in the field of petrochemicals, which is paving the way for advancements in battery technology, hydrogen, and carbon capture.
These objectives reflect a commitment to building a forward-looking, innovation-driven economy in Louisiana. Fleig actively participates in discussions on energy innovation, exemplified by his involvement in national energy leader forums. His career has been focused on design thinking, with roles in education, interaction design, and technology.
In conclusion, under Fleig's leadership, Louisiana Economic Development is poised to shape a dynamic, innovative future for the state, leveraging its rich legacy industries and fostering a thriving startup ecosystem.
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