Lafayette startup Hampr receives $5 million in funding for national expansion

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Hampr, the Lafayette-based technology startup that provides laundry services, secured $5 million in funding to help with the company’s national expansion, the company’s founder Laurel Hess announced Friday.

Hampr has been growing fast, having only launched in early 2020. The company offers a membership service that provides four Hampr laundry hampers, then users pay $10-$15 per wash. A washer — or washr — picks up the clothes, washes them, then drops them off.

Opportunity Machine opens new downtown building

Lafayette’s business incubator, the Opportunity Machine, unveiled its new Downtown Lafayette facility Friday — potentially bringing dozens of businesses to the heart of Acadiana.

The Opportunity Machine, which was started by the Lafayette Economic Development Authority in 2009, provides workspaces and resources for its member businesses, which are typically high-growth technology startups. The Opportunity Machine was previously housed at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

LEDA acquired the Downtown Lafayette building, which had previously been the Karma nightclub and the Knight’s/Lee’s Furniture Store. After its renovation, the property mixes the sleek aesthetic of the technology startup world with the building’s historic roots, showcased by the wooden ceilings and supports.

With the opening of the space, the Opportunity Machine is bringing the majority of its 80 member businesses to Downtown Lafayette. The new facility is 22,000 square-feet and located at 314 Jefferson Street.

New Iberia native named to high Coca-Cola position

New Iberia native Susanne Hall will be the new senior vice president and chief commercial officer of Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, the third largest Coca-Cola bottling operation in the U.S.

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Hall will take over Aug. 1, replacing Mike Suco, who was named the president and CEO.

“Having worked with Susanne for more than 20 years, I know first-hand the knowledge, experience and skill set she brings to our Coca-Cola UNITED family,” said President and CEO John Sherman. “Her leadership and deep relationships – combined with her deep understanding of our industry, our company and our customers – will surely help UNITED achieve continued success in the future.”

Oil Center business moving to new location

Summit Financial Wealth Advisors has moved to a new location, but the business is staying in the historic Oil Center area, it said in a release.

The business is now at 1021 E. Saint Mary Boulevard, less than half a mile from its previous location on Heymann Boulevard. Summit Financial Wealth Advisors had been at its Heymann location for 15 years.

“After outgrowing our space on Heymann Blvd., it was important for us to find a location able to give us more room to support our current growth trajectory. Our new space on St. Mary Blvd. allows us to better support our team, clients and our community for years to come,” said managing partner David Daniel. “This move represents years of hard work and dedication from our team and the successes we’ve achieved for our clients.”

The firm has its headquarters in Lafayette and three locations in North Lousiana with a total of 17 professionals.

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This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Business Buzz: Hampr receives $5 million in funding for national expansion