Interview with Josh Fleig, Chief Innovation Officer, as Discussed by Louisiana Economic Development
Josh Fleig, Chief Innovation Officer of Louisiana Economic Development (LED), is steering the state towards a future-focused, innovation-driven economy. With over 20 years of experience in design thinking, technology, and innovation, Fleig has been instrumental in transforming Louisiana's economic landscape.
Fleig's career has been marked by a diverse range of roles. He started his journey teaching fine arts and building a multimedia program in Baton Rouge. He later studied interaction design at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, worked at NBC Universal’s 30 Rock interactive media research team, and was involved in a software company specializing in text-to-TV applications. After a successful stint, he helped recapitalize and sell the company in 2012. Since returning to Louisiana, he has dedicated himself to economic development and innovation in the state for over a decade.
Under Fleig's leadership at LED, significant milestones have been achieved. Through Louisiana Innovation (LA.IO), he has strengthened the startup ecosystem, improved access to coaching, capital, and customers, helping startups grow and scale. He has also led innovation policy efforts to attract investment and foster innovation across sectors. Additionally, Fleig has been instrumental in commercializing research by partnering with higher education institutions to turn Louisiana-based research into businesses and products.
Fleig is also recognised for amplifying Louisiana’s national profile by telling the state's innovation story better, attracting talent, investment, and partnerships. He has spearheaded statewide initiatives to grow high-tech startups and boost Louisiana's local innovation landscape, making LED a key player in transforming the state's economy.
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. To overcome this, they have highlighted real wins, such as companies investing in energy innovation, startups growing in Louisiana, and higher education institutions commercializing research.
Louisiana is leveraging its legacy industries as a foundation for innovation, particularly in areas like petrochemicals, battery technology, hydrogen, and carbon capture. The LED has created 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.
The LED has re-aligned its department to move at the speed of business, removing bureaucratic barriers. Fleig's primary responsibility is to drive innovation across Louisiana, including supporting startups, commercializing research, shaping policy, and telling Louisiana's story as an innovation leader on a national stage. His future goals for LED include strengthening the startup ecosystem, leading in innovation policy, commercializing research, and telling Louisiana's story better on a national stage.
[1] Louisiana Economic Development [2] Louisiana Innovation [3] Tech.Co [4] Greater Baton Rouge Business Report [5] New Orleans CityBusiness
- The Chief Innovation Officer of Louisiana Economic Development (LED), Josh Fleig, has been instrumental in strengthening the startup ecosystem through Louisiana Innovation (LA.IO), improving access to finance, coaching, and customers for startups, helping them grow and scale.
- Fleig's future goals for LED include leading in innovation policy, commercializing research, telling Louisiana's story better on a national stage, and continuing to drive economic growth and innovation in the state's technology sector.
- The LED, under Fleig's leadership, has been successful in leveraging the state's legacy industries as a foundation for innovation in areas like petrochemicals, battery technology, hydrogen, and carbon capture, attracting tech companies like Meta to set up facilities in Louisiana.
