This post by Blackstone Content Correspondent Summer Suleiman originally appeared on ideavillage.org.
As a writer, I just love to read a good, long, in-depth report. Yup—I’m a total nerd. I know.
Currently, I’m loving this report that was just released from the US Chamber of Commercebecause it explores the evolution of New Orleans as an entrepreneurial city, from its’ beginning as a buzzing port city, to the “restarting” post-Katrina. It sheds light on how far New Orleans has come, and where it’s going.
During this past NOEW, the US Chamber of Commerce and 1776 a global incubator and seed fund, visited the IP building to see how New Orleans does entrepreneurship. So what’d they find?
One of my favorite quotes from the report sums it up-“There’s an energy to the city that’s palpable. Something special is going on, like New Orleans has found some secret that it’s getting ready to share.” I love it because it articulates what I’ve felt ever since I first moved back to New Orleans in 2013
And of course I love a great quote just because that’s the writer in me 🙂
But if you’re a super busy entrepreneur, and don’t have time nor do you enjoy pouring over lengthy reports, I’ve summarized the highlights for you.
- Entrepreneurship is an agent of change in New Orleans.
- New Orleans was born as a port city. It boomed in the late1960s, but lost much of its talent in the years following that boom.
- After Katrina devastated the city in 2005, New Orleans essentially became a startup city by necessity.
- New Orleans is light on capital, but heavy on community.
- Katrina pushed out long-time residents, but also brought in much needed talent from all over the country.
- Capital is becoming more available, but New Orleans has yet to see a big exit.
- Grassroots movements work. Entrepreneurs started their own movement, and it’s gained momentum.
- New Orleans is attracting outside talent, but it still needs to produce and retain its own talent.
- New Orleans needs more civic leaders, not just government leaders.
- New Orleans has emerged from the dust of Katrina as a thriving startup city.
My Five Favorite Quotes:
“There’s an energy to the city that’s palpable. Something special is going on, like New Orleans has found some secret that it’s getting ready to share.”
“New Orleans in time became known as an incubator of the arts-a refuge for lost soul.”
“I think New York should be worried.”
“Katrina swept away parochialism, that great enemy of dynamism, and left in its place clusters of bright young people to serve as a beachhead of the modern age. That is New Orleans’ great secret, and one that other cities are soon to discover.”
You can read the full report by Michael Hendrix here
This post was originally published on the US Chamber of Commerce’s Website atUSChamberfoundation.org._