Innovation and Economic Development
BRF, headquartered in Shreveport, is an innovation hub and economic development organization establishing North Louisiana as a preferred destination for high-growth initiatives. Diversifying the region’s economy is its mission. It fulfills this mission through initiatives that start new businesses, recruit new businesses and retain current businesses in the region, and through supporting the development of a science and technology-based workforce.
Diversify and grow our region’s economy.
Operate as a catalyst to expand and develop research, entrepreneurship and high-growth businesses in our region.
Innovation. Collaboration. Problem Solving. Bold Action.
FOCUS AREAS
BRF’s diverse economic development initiatives are in Starting new businesses, Recruiting new businesses and Retaining current businesses. Our newest recruitment initiative could be called Economic Development 3.0.
Entrepreneurs in need of resources, services and access to capital to launch their businesses can find what they need through our team of financial analysts and angel investors.
Our unique research and drug discovery and production capabilities, along with our PET scan facilities, increase access to healthcare and improve scientific collaboration.
BRF’s mission to diversify and grow our region’s economy includes fostering a knowledge-based workforce, which is why we support STEM programs in local high schools.
Companies looking for offices or specialized labs can find homes in our facilities or even build their own in our 100-acre smart growth park in central Shreveport.
Texas country artist Joshua Ray Walker is highlighting a gap in medical care for patients his size. BRF's Center for Molecular Imaging and Therapy (CMIT) is helping open up PET imaging to a patient population that didn't have access to it before. Watch the video to learn more about Joshua Ray's story.
Learn more about BRF and its initiatives at our YouTube channel.
Jan 31, 2023
SMART program prepares students for careers in medicine, biomedical fields Enrollment for the 2023-2024 Bobbie Cates Hicks Science and Medicine Academic Research Training (SMART) program is now open...
Aug 12, 2020
Tomakk Glass Partners launches in Shreveport Company plans to serve Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas markets; project will create 50 new direct jobs Tomakk Glass Partners has announced the...
Jun 12, 2019
Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program (EAP) portfolio company RNvention has signed a manufacturing and distribution agreement with Medline Industries, Inc., the largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of medical supplies...
February 26, 2026
June 5, 2026
Feb. 26, 2026
November 14, 2025
The Center for Molecular Imaging and Therapy, formerly the PET Imaging Center, was established as the first positron emission tomography imaging center in Louisiana. It specializes in the production and distribution of radiopharmaceuticals, technologically advanced clinical trials and research opportunities for scientists.
Collaboration Link’s mission is to advance technological innovation in support of government agencies and enhance the economic vitality of Northwest Louisiana.
Launched in September 2020, Shreveport Next’s mission is to recruit small to mid-size businesses from across the country to relocate or build new facilities in the Shreveport-Bossier area, diversifying the region’s business base and bringing new jobs, taxable property, payroll and revenue to Northwest Louisiana.
BRF is committed to providing training and education for our community and chooses to invest in programs that cultivate a workforce with the skills, understanding and creativity to excel in a knowledge-based economy.
The Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program (EAP), launched in 2014, seeks out and evaluates new products and ideas, and with its team of professional analysts, helps entrepreneurs determine the best business model for their product and grooms them to present their product to investors and secure financing to launch their business.
The InterTech Park is a 100-acre urban Brownfields, smart growth initiative located in central Shreveport. Its resident companies represent pharmaceutical, digital media, drug discovery, venture capital support and environmental industries.
BRF recruited Omicron Technology Solutions to Shreveport from Chicago in 2021. Omicron is a software-as-a-service developer and provider serving three industries: transit and rider management, identity and visitor management and student information software.
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