As the technology and startup culture of Baton Rouge expands, the physical incubators and coworking spaces that house these companies also continue to grow.
Fleur De Lis Hydroponics and GPS Consultants are the latest two companies to become tenants at the Louisiana Business and Technology Center, located at the LSU Innovation Park in Baton Rouge. Other tenants include GiftMeo, HydroFlame, and Classes on Demand.
Fleur De Lis develops research-based agricultural products that target the hydroponic industry, while GPS Consultants is a business consulting firm that captures and analyzes financial and business information for management to make decisions.
The principles of Fleur De Lis are Kenneth Waters III, Blake Waters and LSU Department of Chemistry alumna Laura Efferson.
Hydroponics, the growing of plants without soil, is a fast-developing industry and has become a reality for greenhouse growers in virtually all climates, D’Agostino said in a press release. “Fleur De Lis Hydroponics fits the ‘green tech, clean tech, clean energy’ focus of the LSU Innovation Park,” D’Agostino said.
Areas of research being conducted by Fleur De Lis include formulating plant-specific products; improving buffering systems; improving surfactants and wetting agents; developing innovative growing systems; designing automated nutrient and pH pumps; investigating alternative growing methods; and creating economical fungicides, pesticides or deterrents.
The company also provides education to consumers regarding the benefits of hydroponic agriculture.
Christopher Peters, an alumnus of the LSU Flores MBA program, is the chief financial executive at GPS Consultants. He formerly worked for the LBTC.
“GPS Consultants is focused on improving business performance for companies and developing systems to minimize inefficiencies, fraud and waste,” Peters said in a statement.
The company helps companies with productivity, strategy and growth through streamlining accounting and administrative processes, risk and compliance assessment, performance monitoring, record keeping and business problem-solving through forensic accounting.
The Louisiana Business and Technology Center is part of the LSU E. J. Ourso College of Business’ Stephenson Entrepreneurship Institute. It is an incubator for fledgling businesses, providing advice and shared office space and services with tenants.