This briefing memo, submitted by the Center for American Entrepreneurship (CAE), shares the major take-aways and policy implications from a November 13^th roundtable. The event focused on the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center (NEC) report, which identified New Orleans as one of eight U.S. metro areas that have outpaced peers in the proportional growth of early-stage companies. To build on this success, participants emphasized the need for: greater support from key industries and educational institutions, more investment in local startups by institutional investors like pension funds, long-term retention of local entrepreneurs and skilled talent, national recognition of the city as an innovation center, and public policies that further de-risk becoming an entrepreneur.