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:
Social Dining Experiment Dinner Lab Launches in Nine New Markets
Nearly doubling in size, the pop-up supper club Dinner Lab has announced expansion into nine new markets: Baltimore, Denver, Charlotte, Houston, San Antonio, St. Louis, Philadelphia, San Diego and Milwaukee. Those who register with an annual membership, which range from $100 to $200 depending on the market, could be dining in as little as 45 days. The social dining experiment, which combines up-and-coming chefs with unique locations and a curated guest list, was already available in its native New Orleans in addition to Austin, Nashville, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago and Washington D.C.
Ridesharing Companies, Including Uber, Get the Green-Light in Baton Rouge
On Wednesday (June 25), the Baton Rouge Metro Council voted 8-2 in favor of allowing ridesharing companies, such as Uber, Lyft, and Sidecar, to operate in the area. The Baton Rouge ruling came just one day after a similar deliberation took place at the New Orleans City Hall, although it was less focused on ridesharing options in the city and more focused on the limos and black cars in the transportation industry. Uber GM Tom Hayes and Ryan Berni, a member of Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s administration spoke in favor of the proposed changes to the for-hire vehicle code.
Baker Donelson Selects New Orleans Startup to Present at Regional Event in Atlanta
The law firm Baker Donelson announced the 15 emerging companies selected to present at its second annual Southeastern Regional Capital Connections event held on May 15th. GetHealthy, Inc. was the only New Orleans company to make it, presenting alongside the other companies in Atlanta to the 23 capital investors in attendance. The company has created a web-based platform that gives physicians and employees 24-hour access to physicians, nurses, educators, and our own personalized health information. More information about the second annual event is available here.
Entergy to Donate $5,000 in Prizes to Select Startups at PowerMoves.NOLA
Entergy has partnered with PowerMoves.NOLA, designed to increase the number of venture-backed minority entrepreneurs, to launch the Entergy Power Boost Challenge. The company will award $5,000 to both a Louisiana-based company and Entergy “Series A” Power Pitch participant who receives the most votes via Facebook. The votes can be cast on Entergy’s Power to Care Facebook page:www.facebook.com/thepowertocare.
One Quarter of the Way Through 52businesses – A Look at the First 13 Weeks and First 13 Businesses (Part 2)
Colin Grussing concocted a plan to launch a new business every week for a year. 13 weeks into 52businesses, he recaps his experience on Silicon Bayou News. From football players and charities to books and a bus, the company has managed to keep everything rolling. Find out more about the first quarter of the year here.
Trading Cards or Trading Secrets?
Micah Fincher is an associate at Jones Walker inn the firm’s Intellectual Property (IP) section within the Business & Commercial Litigation Practice Group. Fincher is a contributor to the recently launched Trade Secret Insider, which chronicles legal insights on trade secrets, non-competes, computer fraud and confidential data theft. This article was originally posted on tradesecretsinsider.com.
Moonbot Studios Becomes First YouTube Program to Win 2014 Daytime Emmy Award
Based in Shreveport, Moonbot considers the company a secret, zero-gravity colony inhabited by interstellar beings. Its unique animation skills have led to projects including the book The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, various animated games and, of course, “The Scarecrow,” in partnership with Chipotle Mexican Grill. It has just been announced that Moonbot and Chipotle, in collaboration with Creative Artists Agency (CAA), received two Daytime Emmy® awards for their work. “The Scarecrow” animated short film and video was awarded Outstanding Directing in an Animated Program and Outstanding New Approaches – Original Daytime Program or Series, which recognizes excellence in interactive media productions.
New Orleans Startup Launches Kickstarter for Cord Management Solution
There is currently no standard for length and thickness in the wire industry, often leading to major clutter and confusion with wires and cords in homes and offices around the world. A New Orleans trio– Hung Pham, Minh Vuong, Karsen Krauss– has launched a Kickstarter campaign for their solution to the problem to address the clutter issues. WrapAround is a cord management system that organizes wires without requiring extra hardware, tools, or devices, and it doesn’t sacrifice utility for design.
Geocent Wins High-Tech Award from U.S Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has awarded 25 high-tech small businesses throughout the country with the Tibbetts award, which honor outstanding small businesses and individuals who participate in the organization’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. Geocent, a software engineering firm with headquarters in Metairie and offices in six other locations, is of one this year’s honorees.