The University of New Orleans Research and Technology Foundation is a 501 (c)3 that was created for the betterment of the University of New Orleans. It supports the research, scholarship, and commercialization activities at UNO and advances the development of the greater New Orleans economy by providing space for growing business, public, and non-profit enterprises. The Foundation leads and maintains The Beach. This public-private partnership combines the best of the Research & Technology Foundation and the University to bring together academia, government, and entrepreneurial endeavors to maximize innovation and find solutions in the STEM and social science fields.

The Foundation cultivates these rich public-private connections to support the tenants at The Beach. These collaborative connections give tenants the unique opportunity to engage in joint proposals, collaborate on research projects with university researchers, and supplement their workforce through internships for undergraduate and graduate UNO students.