Haptech, Inc. is partnering with Louisiana Economic Development to recruit and upskill local tech and engineering talent, a move that will strengthen the state’s workforce while advancing the company’s award-winning work cultivating the next generation of training systems for the U.S. military.
The company was among the honorees at LED’s Spotlight Louisiana Awards last week, a celebration of the state’s small businesses and entrepreneurial spirit. Haptech won the Innovative Company of the Year award, a new category in 2025, that is given to visionary companies that demonstrate a commitment to excellence who display forward-thinking strategies that have a transformative impact on their industry.
“Congratulations to Haptech on receiving the inaugural Innovative Company of the Year award, and to Kyle Monti on his vision for expanding Haptech’s workforce in partnership with FastStart,” LED Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois said. “Haptech’s expansion sits at the intersection of two priority sectors laid out in our strategic plan — technology and defense — and is powered by the kind of innovation that drives long-term impact. We are excited to support this homegrown company on their groundbreaking work and thank them for their recommitment to our state and workforce.”
With the assistance of LED FastStart, Haptech plans to hire 10 new positions and train them to develop Haptech’s highly specialized products for the military and law enforcement. The company will also retain 21 current employees at its facility in the New Orleans Warehouse District.
Haptech has secured contracts from the U.S. Army and Marine Corps to support research and development of its patented recoil technology and integrated data-tracking dashboard for advanced training systems. Central to this effort is the company’s exclusive linear motor system and ERIS product line, which are positioned to replace traditional pneumatic-based military training weapons. This next-generation approach is designed to lower costs, reduce training-related injuries, streamline logistics and reinforce Louisiana’s growing reputation as a hub for technological innovation and defense-sector advancement.
“We are proud that Haptech is making Military and law enforcement training safer, easier to maintain and more affordable because of technology and products developed in our home state by some of Louisiana’s brightest creators,” Haptech CEO Kyle Monti said. “Growing our local technology workforce is a priority for Haptech, and thanks to LED’s partnership, more Louisiana engineers and technicians will lead tech teams of the future, including those here at Haptech. I want to thank Sec. Bourgeois and LED for their support of our growing company and Louisiana’s emerging industries.”
Founded in 2014, Haptech is a Louisiana-born company led by local innovators committed to growing their business in their home state. Monti grew up in Luling and is a graduate of the University of New Orleans. The company’s Chief Operating Officer, Conrad Rolling, is a Hammond native and graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University and Loyola University of New Orleans School of Law.
“This expansion highlights how New Orleans continues to grow cutting-edge companies with global impact,” City of New Orleans Director of Economic Development Jeff Schwartz said. “By creating high-wage jobs and deepening its roots here, the company is strengthening both the local economy and the nation’s defense readiness. The Office of Economic Development is proud to support their continued growth as part of a dynamic and diverse innovation ecosystem."
Along with the utilization of the comprehensive workforce development of LED FastStart, the company is also expected to participate in the state’s Quality Jobs program.
“Haptech’s growth in New Orleans is an exciting step forward for the diversification of our local economy,” Greater New Orleans, Inc. President and CEO Michael Hecht said. “By expanding at the intersection of technology, defense, and advanced manufacturing, Haptech is showing that Greater New Orleans can be home to companies doing nationally significant, innovation-driven work. These new, high-wage jobs strengthen our workforce and help build a more resilient and future-focused economy for the region.”