Innovation grows stronger when founders are not alone. When the right support reaches the right entrepreneur — transformation blooms.
That is why the Regions Foundation, a nonprofit funded primarily by Regions Bank, has announced a new $200,000 investment in support of The Idea Village initiatives. It will help extend the reach of entrepreneurial programs that power innovation, including IDEAfuel.
“Investing in entrepreneurs means investing in long-term impact,” said Marta Self, Executive Director of the Regions Foundation. “The Idea Village understands what small-business owners need to grow from mentorship to technology to community. Their work creates opportunity, jobs, economic growth. We’re thrilled to help ensure more founders have access to these valuable resources.”
The grant was presented during the recent IDEAinstitute Fall 2025 Pitch Night in New Orleans. There, five select founders from the Fall 2025 IDEAinstitute cohort pitched their startups to a panel of judges and a live audience.
Investing in entrepreneurs means investing in long-term impact. Marta Self, Executive Director of the Regions Foundation
“The Idea Village’s work plays a role in strengthening our regional economy,” said Graham Ralston, New Orleans Market Executive for Regions Bank. “Pitch Night is a chance for companies that have gone through a competitive process to be spotlighted. Locally, we look forward to it every year so entrepreneurs can take the stage to share their visions and ventures. We appreciate our colleagues at the Regions Foundation for their work in making this possible.”
The new contribution builds on The Idea Village’s 25-year track record in supporting more than 20,100 entrepreneurs, 610 startups through IDEAinstitute, and helping drive over $2 billion in regional economic impact.
MilestoneMate: A Founder’s Journey
One of those founders is Shay Claiborne, the creator of MilestoneMate, a software platform designed to help families and providers track developmental milestones in young children and identify when support is needed sooner.
“I started MilestoneMate because I’ve experienced the challenges of early childhood development from both sides as an early childhood professional and as a mom trying to get timely support for my own daughter,” said Claiborne. “Every time a parent finds clarity or a child gets connected to services sooner, it reminds me why this work matters.”
Her entrepreneurial path began with an early startup, MommyFluent Toys, which she brought to IDEAinstitute in the spring of 2023. She won the pitch night, earning a laptop and a $1,000 grant. Momentum was building. But something deeper was unfolding.
“As families bought toys, many began reaching out for guidance — not just on play, but on development. Even with my background, navigating support for my daughter was hard,” Claiborne said. “That personal experience helped me realize toys alone weren’t solving the real problem. IDEAfuel and my mentor Derek Vanderpool pushed me to create something even more meaningful.”
With the right guidance, capital, and community, early-stage ideas can become tools that change lives. Sean Mulligan, Senior Programs Manager at The Idea Village
Through a customer discovery process guided by IDEAfuel, Claiborne made the major decision to pivot. Backed by $15,000 in funding, MilestoneMate began to take shape, transitioning from a toy-based concept into a tech-enabled developmental monitoring platform.
“The Regions Foundation grant is more than financial support — it’s a catalyst. It allows founders like Shay to test, build, and scale solutions that directly support families and communities,” said Sean Mulligan, Senior Programs Manager at The Idea Village. “With the right guidance, capital, and community, early-stage ideas can become tools that change lives.
Claiborne says in the last 12 months, MilestoneMate has gained more traction: winning 3rd place in the Nexus Louisiana Statewide Technology Cup, awarded $40,000 through the Camelback Ventures Fellowship, and has deployed the first version of the MilestoneMate platform. It is now actively beta testing and piloting with childcare centers across Louisiana.
“Bottom line, The Idea Village is producing real results for real people,” said Mike Scott, Senior Community Development manager for Regions Bank, represented the Regions Foundation and spoke at the event. “What we saw before this most recent Pitch Night affirmed how New Orleans is truly an entrepreneurial town. What our colleagues at the Regions Foundation are doing is sowing seeds for even more success stories in the future.”
About Regions Foundation
The Alabama-based Regions Foundation supports community investments that positively impact communities served by Regions Bank. The Foundation engages in a grantmaking program focused on priorities including economic and community development; education and workforce readiness; and financial wellness. The Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation funded primarily through contributions from Regions Bank.