Week in Review: April 8, 2013

The Silicon Bayou has been buzzing with tech and entrepreneurial news. Here are the most popular stories published on Silicon Bayou News in the past seven days:

Community-Minded Digital Agency Lanyap Creative Has Launched

A new digital agency has launched today, providing another boost to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in New Orleans. Two passionate technologists, Joe Corbett and Jason Seidman, founded Lanyap Creative and are focused on delivering effective and impactful campaigns. The company announced they will continue to do three things on a daily basis: create amazing campaigns for clients, build a stronger tech community, and have fun at all costs. Lanyap is also keyed into the design, development, strategy, and community elements of all projects.

The DOcast: Interviewing People Doing the Unthinkable

The DOcast is a series of interviews with entrepreneurs across Louisiana. The series is the brainchild of Richard Hanley Jr., the startup food entrepreneur SBN covered earlier in March. Hanley is interested in talking to people doing the unthinkable and finding out their story and how others can learn from them. Subscribe on iTunes, YouTube, Stitcher Radio, and The blog for more on the DOcast. If you know anyone who would be a good guest on The DOcast, let them know!

Lafayette’s CajunCodeFest 2.0 Kicks Off April 24

Another code-a-thon is approaching on the Silicon Bayou.CajunCodeFest, now in its second year, is an event held in Lafayette where participants compete over 27 hours (April 24-26) for a grand prize of $25,000. The coding competition is focused on transforming data into innovative healthcare solutions.

Founder2be Matches Entrepreneurs with Ideas to Potential Co-founders Online

Some of the best success stories stem from the combination of two already existing ideas or platforms designed to solve a problem. Oliver Bremer created Founder2be or, “Match.com meets LinkedIn,” to connect entrepreneurs with ideas to others who want to see those ideas come to life. Simply put, Bremer connects co-founders. As Bremer said, a co-founder and an idea is all you need, so we encourage all the Silicon Bayou entrepreneurs to register today!

Ecosystem Summit Challenges Global Leaders to Design the Future of New Orleans Entrepreneurship

Over one hundred global partners gathered during theEntrepreneurial Ecosystem Summit during the fifth New Orleans Entrepreneur Week to discuss best practices for sustaining entrepreneurial ecosystems. A report was published on Monday (April 1) with information about the Summit, which challenged the leaders in attendance to discuss and examine the future of the city’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

UNO Adds Game Development Concentration to Computer Science Department

There is a growing demand for game developers in the Silicon Bayou and beyond, which is why the Department of Computer Science at the University of New Orleans (UNO) has announced the addition of a game development concentration. The university curriculum committee has already approved the concentration. The department will offer introductory and advanced courses in both game development and mobile application programming. Taken with computer graphics and programming courses, the gaming courses will build out the concentration that prepares students for careers in game development.

Launch Fest Attracts National Speakers to Inspire Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

Launch Fest, a New Orleans startup conference and demo day will take place on Thursday, May 2nd, 2013 before Jazz Fest. The event features practical advice from founders who want to inspire the next generation. Speakers include: Alexis OhanianReddit and Y CombinatorPatrick ComerFederated SampleRyan DelkGumroaDick TalensFitocracyPaul Singh500 StartupsDashboard.ioSteve Schlafman, Lerer VenturesTaylor Davidsonkbs+ Ventures; and Blair GarrouDFJ Mercury.

One Last Showcase of Digital Marketing in Louisiana’s Online Lagniappe

Unfortunately for SBN readers, Flynn Zaiger will be taking a break from his weekly column, Louisiana’s Online Lagniappe, to focus on his company Online Optimism. His last digital marketing done right showcase highlights GrowNOLAStay Local!, and Silicon Bayou News’ own Silicon Bayou 100. Know a great company? Sent Flynn an email at Flynn@onlineoptimism.com and it might be featured in the column down the road.

The Receivables Exchange Rumored to Make Additional Staff Cuts Today

The Receivables Exchange (TRE), the real-time online marketplace for the sale and purchase of receivables, laid off 26 employees on March 15th, all in their sales and marketing departments in New Orleans and New York. The company that turns invoices into cash is continuing to experience changeups in many of its departments. Last Thursday (April 4), the company was rumored to be letting go of 8-10 more people on the product and back office teams.

Four Finalists Announced for LSU Student Incubator’s Venture Challenge

The LSU Student Incubator, a program of the Louisiana Business & Technology Center (LBTC) in Baton Rouge, is preparing for its second annual Venture Challenge. Four finalists will pitch for $25,000 in seed capital on April 19th, 2013. The judges chose four teams for the final competition on the 19th: Econofy, Frosted, Rock Water, and Supedup Auto LLC.

March Madness Stirs up Potential Trademark Litigation over “Dunk City”

March Madness is always an exciting time of year. This year, Florida Gulf Coast University from Fort Myers became the first ever 15-seed to advance to the Sweet 16. Along the way, the team acquired the nickname “Dunk City.” This attention caused a music producer to establish a trademark to the name. Trademark disputes can result in highly specialized litigation in federal court (i.e., expensive) whether it is because of a basketball team in Florida or a startup in Louisiana. It will be interesting to see where this goes.

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We’d like to thank our April sponsor:  Search Influence. Want to be a sponsor next month? Email julia@siliconbayounews.com!