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:
Tulane Introduces Business Model Competition, Offers $35,000 in Prizes
After hosting one of the region’s premiere college business plan competitions for 14 years, the Tulane Entrepreneurs Association (TEA) has completely redesigned the contest to better reward the practical aspects of what make startups successful – the ability to rapidly adapt to customers’ needs. Tulane is now taking after the International Business Model Competition. Applications are due February 14th. More information is available here.
Idea Village Reveals Expanded Lineup for New Orleans Entrepreneur Week
The Idea Village held a press conference to reveal the expanded lineup for New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (NOEW). Mayor Mitch Landrieu, Idea Village CEO Tim Williamson and many more were in attendance, announcing the ever-expanding lineup and partnerships for the “Jazz Fest of entrepreneurship.” The 6th annual event will take place March 22 – 28, 2014 in downtown New Orleans. For the full lineup, click here.
The 2013 Silicon Bayou 100: Group 5
The Silicon Bayou 100 is a list of 100 people who have done the coolest stuff in Louisiana entrepreneurship and tech and have most influenced Louisiana’s startup, entrepreneurial, tech, and digital communities this year. Group 3 highlights the third batch of names on the alphabetical list. Thanks again to our sponsors: 365 Connect, New Orleans Startup Fund, Launch Pad, Ron Bienvenu,Eiffel Society and The Idea Village!
Capitalizing on Curiosity
Eric Nelson was a high school social studies teacher with a problem: his students were disengaged at a time when global competence matters more than ever. He wondered how he could get his 9th grade students to care about geopolitics. While checking his fantasy football league and researching his players for the week, Nelson realized he was learning a lot about the NFL. “Why can’t all learning be this fun?” he wondered. Nelson decided to capitalize on curiosity and turn his social studies class on to his new platform, Fantasy Geopolitics, a social learning game that follows countries and world leaders as they compete for world headlines.
Baton Rouge Tech Company CellControl Featured on ‘Today Show’
CellControl, based out of the Louisiana Technology Park in Baton Rouge, was recentlyfeatured on the Today Show during a segment spotlighting great new products at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The company is preparing to launch their newest product, DriveID, which is designed to eliminate distracted driving.
Metairie School Named Best in State in Verizon Innovative App Challenge
In November, the Verizon Foundation, in partnership with the Technology Student Association, launched the second ever Innovative App Challenge. Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies, located in Metairie, LA, was named the Best in State at the Verizon Innovative App Challenge and will now go on to compete in the national competition that engages students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects.
First NBC Bank Backs Second Annual JEDCO Challenge
Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission (JEDCO) has announced its collaboration with First NBC Bank for the second annual JEDCO Challenge, a pitch competition showcasing the brightest entrepreneurs living and working in Jefferson Parish with unique ideas that have the high potential to grow and positively impact the area. The bank is now the presenting sponsor, donating $10,000 to the winners of the challenge.
Tweets from Entrepreneur Magazine’s 6th Annual Growth Conference
Entrepreneur Magazine held its 6th annual Growth Conference (#GrowthCon) in New Orleans earlier this week (January 22). They conference seeks to inspire, inform and celebrate entrepreneurs. During the 2014 Growth Conference, attendees learned about branding, sales, revenue goals, failures, successes and everything in between. Tweets from the conference can be found here.
Godfather of Growth: How to Add Top Producers to Your Organization
Last week contributor Don Lazzari wrote about producers, the sales people who know how to find business, close business and continue to take their contribution to the organization higher – quarter after quarter and year after year. He also explains how to find the right producer to hire and how to keep them once you do.