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:
5th Annual Launch Fest Expecting Sold Out Demo Day and Startup Conference
Each Launch Fest, the New Orleans demo day and startup conference, is bigger and better than the last, showcasing the best that New Orleans tech has to offer. The daylong event will be held on May 1st, 2014 at the New Orleans Museum of Art. Launch Fest is held annually in conjunction withThe New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and brings together bring together investors, mentors, and speakers for a half day of a traditional conference and a half day in a pitch event format, which lets out at 3:30 PM practically steps from the entrance to Jazz Fest.
Software Firm Announces New Headquarters in Jefferson Parish, Bringing 320 Jobs
The Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission (JEDCO) made a major announcement earlier today: systems and information technology company 4th Source will be establishing corporate headquarters and delivery services center in Kenner. 4th Source is a leading technology company in North America that provides nearshore tech and services across a number of industries. The new headquarters–the fourth opened office for 4th Source in the United States– is expected to create 320 direct jobs and an additional 412 indirect jobs, as estimated by Louisiana Economic Development (LED).
Smooth Scaling: How to Keep Your Startup Afloat
As the online marketplace continues to evolve, it becomes more and more important for businesses to scale their business model to fit their ever changing environment. Adaptation is crucial for smaller businesses, considering the highly personal nature of conducting business with companies with less than 25 employees. To do so, it’s important to start by recognizing what stage your business is on. Your business plan will change as your business grows and you move into different stages. Click here to view the infographic.
Recipe for Success: How the NBA Plans to Expand One of the Largest Social Media Communities in the World
The NBA All-Star Tech Summit, which accompanies the All-Star game in respective cities each year, was host to some of the biggest names in basketball and technology last month in New Orleans. Home to one of the largest social media communities in the world, the NBA along with industry leaders in both fields, assembled to discuss the future of the two and how basketball can keep up with technology and vice versa. The focus is on mobile NBA and bringing the most watched sport into the palm of your hand (and on every other screen available). The organization has over 500 million followers and likes combined across all league, team, and player pages on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and others. Read the rest of the post here.
Biotech Startup Tympanogen Wins 5th Place in World’s Largest Business Plan Competition
New Orleans-based Tympanogen, led by a team of engineers and physicians at Tulane University, has created a new medical technology, a gel patch called Perf-Fix, that will provide a non-surgical treatment to eardrum perforations. Their innovative technology led them to the Rice University Business Plan Competition, the largest graduate-level student startup competition in the world. After being named one of only six finalists out of over 500 applicants, the startup finished the competition with three prizes totaling $44,000 at the final round in Houston, Texas.
NOLA Game Developers Reveal Launch Fest Play, an Expo of Video Game Development
New Orleans-based developers and gamers Barrett Conrad and Paul Teall have decided to take the NOLA Game Developer meetup to the next level. The duo has announced Launch Fest Play, an expo of the video game development happening in and around New Orleans, happening next week. Conrad said there around around 40 people signed up now and have more registering each day. The conference will take place the evening before Launch Fest, April 30th, from 5:00 to 9:00 PM at Launch Pad.
The Idea Village Releases Record-Breaking Entrepreneur Season Impact Report
The Idea Village, a hub for entrepreneurship and producers of the annual New Orleans Entrepreneur Week, announced the record-breaking numbers tied to the nine-month cycle of programs and events known as the Entrepreneur Season. Over the 2014 season (July 2013 – March 2014), The Idea Village engaged 6,104 of the nation’s most innovative professionals, business leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, MBAs, and high school students through 222 workshops, consulting sessions, pitch competitions, and networking events. The number of individuals reportedly engaged represents a 103% increase compared to last year, and the ever-expanding network is responsible for investing $2,262,655 in capital, consulting, and resources to support the efforts of 834 New Orleans-based entrepreneurs.
Music Rising at Tulane Launches Platform for Exploring Musical Cultures of Gulf South
Music Rising at Tulane is a brand new initiative, launched last week at the Wilson Center Atrium on Tulane University’s uptown campus, that provides users with a comprehensive way to explore the musical cultures of the Gulf South region. It features educational resources, video, images, and resources including Tutti Music Player. Scholars, teachers, students, musicians and more can explore nearly every genre of music with the engaging core course content, including the Tutti Music Player, which allows users to interact and play along with master musicians.
International Business Model Pro Sends Advice to Tulane Business Model Competition Finalists
Roy Daya is a business consultant with over 15 years of experience innovating to create better, smarter and more sustainable businesses. His oftentimes invaluable advice to startups and expanding businesses proves popular from London to New Orleans. Now called “The Business Model Pro,” Daya is based in Israel and travels the world giving keynotes, coaching, and engaging in conversations about business models and business strategy. The recently concluded Tulane Business Model Competition and its three promising startup finalists attracted attention from the international strategist.
Financial Fridays: What are banks looking for when you apply for a loan?
Financial Fridays is a recurring column where Hibernia Bank tackles a financial topic that entrepreneurs and technological business owners will likely run into as they grow and expand. This time, they are discussing loans. “Sure, they might not seem as “fun” to receive as a pitch competition prize. But for safe, steady, and necessary growth, there’s no better way to do it.” Click here to read more.
eMerge Partners with United Real Estate to Assist Growth Strategy
The national provided for online lead nurturing for real estate professionals, eMerge, recently announced its partnership with the urban real estate franchise United Real Estate. The Slidell-based company released that the partnership is designed to assist United Real Estate in consolidating and scaling its franchise sales and agent recruitment web marketing strategies.
New Orleans Attorney and Startup Supporter Introduces Community to Cleantech Open Accelerator
The Cleantech Open is a national accelerator and networking program works with technology companies focused on sustainability, energy and the environment. The ultimate goal is to have a global startup network in which mentoring, raising capital and networking can cross continents. The accelerator boasts a network of over 1,500 professional volunteers from eight regions throughout the United States. Local attorney and managing member ofGraffagnini + Associates, LLC, Mark Graffagnini, is also affiliated with the accelerator through his work as the regional director in the area. He learned about the program while working as an attorney in Palo Alto prior to moving to New Orleans.