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:
“Trust Me, I’m Lying” Book Signing at Octavia
Ryan Holiday is having a book signing for his recent published work ”Trust Me, I’m Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator” tomorrow evening at Octavia Books. For more information check out Octavia’s page or the facebook event here.
New social app dedicated to drinks launches just in time for Tales of the Cocktail
The new app BarNotes launched last week in conjunction with the Tales of the Cocktail event in New Orleans. It connects users with people who are creating and sipping some delicious and unique drinks. Contributing writer Adriana Lopez writes, “it’s the love child of Mixologist Drink Recipe app, Instagram, and Twitter, so you can upload, share, and search for new cocktail inspirations through the social media network.”
Ameritas Technologies Opening 300-Job Tech Center In Baton Rouge
Ameritas Technologies said today it will open an information technology center employing 300 workers in downtown Baton Rouge. Ameritas Technologies CEO Brian Keane, Gov. Bobby Jindal and Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden participated in the announcement. The development will bring 300 new direct jobs with an average salary of $63,000 plus benefits, and will result in an additional 306 new indirect jobs, according to a press release.
BikeBusNOLA.com Supplements Google Maps for Bicyclists
Molly Oehmichen recapped the event held by Neighborland and GOOD Ideas for New Orleans that featured the results of the four teams’ challenges facing the city. The challenges included non-automobile transport, affordable, accessible, and sustainable healthy food, disrepair of street corners, and food truck politics and opportunities. One particular project that caught Molly’s eye was BikeBusNOLA.com. The website is a free service optimized for mobile use that provides quick and easy directions for combining a bike ride with a bus ride. She said, “it is a great example of a manageable and meaningful technical solution to a community problem.”
All About You: Dominique Ellis
Dominique Ellis is an entrepreneur based in New Orleans and ownerCopy That Services, which offers marketing and social media management, public relations and event coordination. She has clients in both New Orleans and NYC. Her hobby and passion is interior design, upcycling furniture and other items that some would think is trash. She spends her weekends going to garage sales and looking for treasure on a budget. She says she is working on turning that passion into a business as well. Follow her on Twitter @dominiqueellis and check out her company at copythatservices.com.
Stun Gun iPhone Case Reaches Minimum Fundraising Goal and Will Begin Production
The World’s first smartphone defense case, housing a 650k volt stun gun for protection, will go into production upon completion of the Indiegogo campaign on next Wednesday. The Yellow Jacket Case for the iPhone is now available for pre order through the crowdfunding site Indiegogo. At first, many doubted the company could reach its $100,000 goal. With 16 days left they had raised just over $12,000. Now, with 41 hours to go, Yellow Jacket has raised $86,409 and is moving full speed ahead to get these cases into production and out to customers across the country.
Biofuels Startup Golden Leaf Secures $250,000 Series A
The New Orleans Startup Fund, which is funded through private donations and public programs, announced today that Golden Leaf Energy has closed its first round of financing. The Startup Fund made an initial investment of $50,000, allowing Golden Leaf to secure additional funding of $200,000, bringing the total to $250,000. The financing provided will create 11 new jobs and help expand production.
Coworking Spaces Spark Innovation and Promote Entrepreneurial Spirits
I wrote a post last week about the magic of coworking spaces in New Orleans. Launch Pad, the Icehouse, and soon to open HUB New Orleans all have a coworking environment working in favor of entrepreneurs and innovators, the types of movers and shakers that keep our startup and business climate going strong. Read more to find out which companies were highlighted for being awesome.
LSU Seeks To Honor Fastest Growing Tiger Businesses in 2013 LSU 100
The LSU Stephenson Entrepreneurship Institute, or SEI, has announced the nomination process is now open for the third annual LSU 100: Fastest Growing Tiger Businesses. Nominations will be accepted until September 30th, 2012. The LSU 100 is a highly competitive annual program that honors the fastest growing companies owned or operated by former LSU students. In addition to celebrating the success of the honorees, the LSU 100 provides a forum to pass lessons on to the next generation of LSU entrepreneurs.