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:
Baratunde Thurston: The Bourbon-Based Renaissance and Advice to Entrepreneurs
Baratunde Thurston is the one of a kind man Obama once called “someone I need to know.” Baratunde is the CEO and Co-Founder of Cultivated Wit, Co-Founder of Jack & Jill Politics and author of How to Be Black. The tech-loving comedian was recently in town for Inc Magazine’s Grow Your Company Conference(GrowCO) to share what goes on inside his creatively intelligent mind. For New Orleans entrepreneurs, Baratunde had one specific piece of advice: “do it Nola style.” Baratunde also had more general advice for global entrepreneurs here.
Two New Projects Emerge from New Orleans’ Civic Hacking Marathon
Geeks Without Bounds hosted several Random Hacks of Kindness events around the country in conjunction with the National Day of Civic Hacking. New Orleans was the main event. Codemkrs Founder Travis Laurendine said, “The weekend led to two new apps that could help address the issue of violence in our neighborhoods. Stop the Beef encourages kids and community members to identify and help prevent violence using community leaders as conflict mediators. Check In for Good is a game that adds incentives for kids to stay on a positive path.”
Startup Effect Seeks $10,000 to Expand Program Into Additional Classes and Cities
Two Venture for America (VfA) fellows, Mike Mayer and Billy Schrero, are taking eighth grade education to the next level by teaching entrepreneurship through the VfA youth initiative Startup Effect. It’s a hands-on, action-based, experiential learning program that engages the students and provides them with valuable tools for the future. After a few months up and running, the program is seeking $10,000 to expand.
Major Music Festival Recruits Codemkrs to Produce its First Official Hackathon
Following the Super Bowl Hackathon, the first ever Music Hackathon in Louisiana and the National Day of Civic Hacking event in New Orleans, Codemkrs has announced yet another chance for developers and designers to compete for top prizes. Bonnaroo, Nashville’s four-day music and camping festival, hosted its first official hackathon, Hackeroo over the weekend (June 8-9).
Three Reasons New Orleans Businesses Need Apps
Apptitude team member Susana Bobadilla succinctly explained why New Orleans businesses need apps to engage and communicate with customers: changing demographics, mobile lifestyles and thriving tourism.
Hacking to Make the World a Better Place
Contributor Jason Seidman recaps his experience at Launch Pad during the National Day of Civic Hacking in which, “a small group of exceedingly talented individuals came together to use their skills in an effort to better our world…In an effort to find better disaster management and crisis response solutions, teams worked toward goals they set at the start of the event. These teams chose to focus on trying to reduce crime rates by keeping kids in school, as well as reduce unnecessary rivalries between gang members open to confidential conflict resolution.”
Committee For A Better New Orleans Seeks Emerging Community Leaders
Committee For A Better New Orleans (CBNO) is an organization working to address issues and works to better the city. They advocate for collaboration and conversation among community members. Each year, they host the Bryan Bell Metropolitan Leadership Forum (BBMLF) for emerging leaders from various sectors of the city.
The Benefits of Vine as a Marketing Tool
Local digital marketing firm Online Optimism recently hired Patrick Rafferty. In his latest post for SBN, he explores the massive benefits of using vine as a marketing tool. He said, “Though Vine is already taking the nation by storm, businesses and individuals have only reached the tip of the iceberg in terms of marketing potential. As of now, like every other social media app in its infancy stage, Vine is overwhelmingly used by individuals with no intention of promoting a product or a brand, but rather events in their lives. Forward-thinking businesses, though, have begun to see the true marketing value within the App.”
NolaSec Meeting to Host Three Speakers for “Fire Talks” on IT Security
Local IT security group NolaSec (Nola Security) is hosting its June meetingin the “fire talk” format on Thursday, June 27th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at The Bridge Lounge. The group has nailed down three speakers who will present a wide range of technical talks. It will be an informal event where attendees and speakers can network while enjoying food and drinks.