November 12, 2025
At Advantage Capital, we are proud to call New Orleans our home. For more than two decades, our team has been investing in growth-ready businesses across Louisiana—providing flexible capital to companies that create quality jobs and drive economic growth in their communities.
Through the Louisiana New Markets Job Act (NMJA) program, we invest in businesses located in targeted areas of the state, delivering capital where it is needed most. With more than $680 million invested in Louisiana and more than 9,400 jobs supported to date, Advantage Capital and our partners are helping build stronger communities and a more resilient local economy.
How the Program Works in Louisiana
The Louisiana NMJA program is designed to attract private investment into communities that face barriers to economic opportunity. Advantage Capital utilizes this program to provide debt and equity financing to Louisiana businesses. These investments support working capital, expansions, hiring, equipment purchases, and ownership transitions.
Our portfolio spans industries from advanced manufacturing to technology and maritime services, but the goal is always the same: helping Louisiana businesses grow while creating a lasting impact for local workers and families.
Real-World Impact: Louisiana Companies on the Rise
Alta Max | New Orleans, La.
Alta Max is a manufacturing company that produces high-quality packaging and tamper-evident security products for military, government, and commercial customers. With the founder preparing for retirement, the company needed a succession plan that would preserve local ownership.
Through the Louisiana NMJA, Alta Max secured the capital necessary for a senior leader to acquire the business—ensuring continuity, preserving jobs, and driving growth in New Orleans. Today, 40% of Alta Max’s workforce comes directly from the surrounding low-income community, creating career pathways with strong training and benefits.
FlyGuys | Lafayette, La.
FlyGuys is a leader in the drone-powered reality data capture market, helping businesses across industries access the data they need to make informed decisions. Despite its promise, the company was often overlooked by investors compared to coastal competitors.
With Advantage Capital’s investment, FlyGuys expanded its sales and marketing efforts, purchased new equipment, and grew into a larger facility. The company provides accessible jobs—more than twice the area’s median income—along with healthcare and retirement benefits, fostering long-term financial stability for its employees.
Metal Shark Boats | Jeanerette, La.
Metal Shark Boats, one of the nation’s premier designers and manufacturers of welded aluminum vessels for military, law enforcement, fire rescue, and commercial markets, faced the challenge of scaling to meet an expanding contract pipeline
With a Louisiana NMJA-backed investment, the company increased production capacity and fulfilled major contracts, reinforcing its position as a trusted supplier to government clients. Metal Shark has also taken a proactive role in workforce development, offering training for welders and ensuring that 90% of its jobs are accessible to individuals with a high school diploma or equivalent. Welders earn competitive wages well above the regional living wage, alongside robust healthcare and insurance benefits.
Expanding Opportunity in Louisiana
From New Orleans to Lafayette and Jeanerette, these businesses illustrate the power of targeted investment through the Louisiana NMJA program. At Advantage Capital, we remain committed to helping Louisiana entrepreneurs thrive—fueling growth, expanding opportunity, and strengthening communities across our home state.
Are you a Louisiana small business owner or operator looking for growth capital? Our team is here to help. Contact us today to learn how Advantage Capital can provide the flexible financing you need to expand, create jobs, and strengthen the Louisiana economy.
Advantage Capital is an Investment Adviser registered with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission. Such registration, however, does not imply a certain level of skill or training. This release has been prepared for informational purposes and to announce a prior event, and nothing herein should be construed as an offer of investment advisory services or as an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any securities or investment product. All offers of investment interests in any fund or investment vehicle managed directly or indirectly by Advantage Capital are and will be made only to qualified prospective investors pursuant to separate and definitive offering and subscription documents in accordance with applicable federal and state securities laws. Advantage Capital is an equal opportunity provider. The companies referenced herein represent a small sample of Advantage Capital’s investments that were selected solely to illustrate their community impact under state and federal tax credit programs. The profitability of any single investment was not a factor in the selection process. Nothing herein should be interpreted or construed as performance data of any kind, nor as any implication or statement that investments previously made by Advantage Capital were or are successful, or that past performance is any indication of future performance. All investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed.
