Week in Review: March 18, 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:

 

Entrepreneurs and Registrants Prepare for NOEW with New Idea Village App

The Idea Village app, which is now available in the app store, features 40 entrepreneur profiles and information about the six pitch competitions scheduled for New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (NOEW), March 16-22, 2013. The app was designed by Chris Boyd, Founder of Apptitude, and officially launched today in partnership with NOLA Media Group. It allows users to interact with company founders, read the latest NOEW news, and vote on their favorite ventures.

NOLA Meetup Preview: NOEW Edition Attracts Zappos Keynote and MBA Student Presentations

After the change in venue for December’s NOLA Meetup and the Silicon Bayou 100 Release Party, we’ll be changing it up again and heading to Barcadia, next Wednesday, March 20th, 2013. The event falls right in the middle of New Orleans Entrepreneur Week, so we are expecting a great crowd. Doors will open at 7:00 pm so don’t forget to head over after Wednesday at the Square! Speakers include members from the MBA IDEAcorps teams, representatives from Salesforce and Silverline, and Jamie Naughton from Zappos.

Angels of Southwest Louisiana Invests in Tech Startup VoiceHIT

Developer of the Better Day™ Health (Better Day™) clinical management software platform, VoiceHIT, announced it has received an investment from The Angels of Southwest Louisiana. VoiceHIT is a Louisiana-based electronic health record (EHR) startup that, with this investment, will initiate their second beta site, Center for Orthopedics. The platform was launched on March 5th, 2013 during the annual Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) conference and exhibition held in New Orleans.

Popular Stun Gun Smartphone Case Yellow Jacket Gears Up for Release of New Models

First came the fun and often custom designed smart phone cases. Then came the extended battery life cases. Now, Baton-Rouge basedYellow Jacket has upped the ante again with their iPhone 4/4S case that doubles as a stun gun, while boosting the battery life of your phone, of course. The case safely holds more than 650,000 volts and is equipped with a protective cover to prevent any negligent discharge of the stun gun. It also gives phones up to 20 hours of additional battery life, equivalent to one full charge.

eTax Credit Exchange Takes Company to Next Level, Launches in Louisiana Market

eTax Credit Exchange founders Peter Loop and Raelynn Tammariello Loop are working to change the online marketplace for buying and selling tax credits. The company recently launched in the Louisiana market, which brings the company one step closer to unlocking the $7 billion tax credit industry.

Gleason Challenge Added to NOEW Event Lineup

In a recent addition to New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (NOEW) lineup, the Gleason Challenge, named after Steve Gleason, seeks to, “challenge inventors, entrepreneurs, investors and scientists to create technology that provides solutions for people with disabilities, right here in New Orleans.” The potential panelists include Jim Marggraff, Lars Gilbertson, and Hugh Evans.

How Nola Expat Peter Ostroske Raised $5M and Started the Top Fashion E-commerce Brand in Brazil

New Orleans native Peter Ostroske started Old Harbor Outfitters right after college, then went on to school at Wharton for one year before dropping out and moving to Brazil. He eventually founded olook, a fashion brand in Brazil which has since raised $5M. Read the full story by clicking here.

Six Finalists Announced for inNOLAvation Challenge During NOEW

inNOLAvation is a local non-profit that was created to facilitate innovation within the minority community. The organization has created the inNOLAvation Challenge to encourage high-growth businesses within the community. The finalists are: Advano, Joyhound, Memorandom, NOLA Pure, Snapp, and SocialChomp.

Chaffe Entrepreneur Challenge Awards Business Development Prize Packages to Bissap Breeze and Dyverse City

New Orleans’ oldest law firm, Chaffe McCall, in partnership with the Idea Village, held the Chaffe Entrepreneur Challenge last month where five local entrepreneurs competed for generous prize packages. Bissap Breeze, Digital Forensics Solutions, EnrichED, Dyverse City and Connect for a Cause pitched for the chance to win a package valued at $35,000, which includes office space for a year and 50 hours of free legal advice.

Red Cross Launches Tornado App, Brings Safety Information to Mobile Devices

The American Red Cross launched its new Tornado App during the annual National Severe Weather Preparedness Week (March 3-9, 2013) to bring safety information to mobile devices. The Tornado App provides real-time information and an alert signal in case of emergency. The app is free for Apple and Android users and is available in both English and Spanish. The app contributes an important safety bonus for users because tornadoes can happen any time throughout the year and often occur at night.

Digital Content, Video Game Incubator Opening in LA Tech Park

The Louisiana Technology Park in Baton Rouge has set aside around 1,800 square feet for a new video game, app, and digital content incubator, said to open any day now. “The focus will be on things that can be digitally distributed and not just games,” said Jesse Hoggard, a spokesman for the Tech Park. Companies in the incubator will receive the same benefits as other Tech Park members, including discounted office space, data center access, and consultation services.

Louisiana’s Online Lagniappe Covers Food, Music, and Penguins!

This week’s Louisiana’s Online Lagniappe covers a mix of companies doing online marketing right: Café ReconcileTaceaux Loceaux, and Essence Festival. The Lagniappe’s Lagniappe goes to  @kohlthepenguin. Is your Louisiana-based business doing absolutely stupendous things online? Send Flynn Zaiger of Online Optimism a note at Flynn@onlineoptimism.com and it just might be included in next week’s column.

Richard Branson Keynote and Pitch Competition on 2013 GrowCO Agenda

Inc Magazine’s Grow Your Company Conference (GrowCO) is a conference that will bring together big thinkers, successful entrepreneurs, and dynamic headliners in New Orleans on April 10-12, 2013 at the Hyatt Regency in New Orleans. Sir Richard Branson will deliver the opening keynote on April 10th. The keynote will be a, “no-holds-barred conversation where he opens up about his awe-inspiring entrepreneurial journey and ever-growing empire.” The new Enrich Your Pitch! Competition is also an expected highlight of the week. It’s a fast-paced, 90-second pitch competition for capital. Inc’s, “all star panel of seasoned experts,” will pick the winner after a question and answer round.

‘Match.com for Education Purposes’ Haystack EDU Launches One Week Before Pitching at NOEW

Haystack EDU has officially launched! The company held a soft launch on Tuesday and then an official launch party last night at Bridge Lounge. Founder Tom Hayes considers Haystack the match.com for education purposes because the online platform helps match educators and schools based on needs. Haystack EDU’s platform will help replace more traditional methods of teacher placement such as job boards and headhunter organizations.

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