The Idea Village Announces Three New Entrepreneurs-in-Residence for 2016 Season

As a hub for entrepreneurial activity in New Orleans, The Idea Village is host to a number of accelerator programs for areas such as energy, digital media and scalable businesses.

Idea VillageEach year, the organization brings in experts in their fields, known as Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, to provide startup consulting and help shape the participating entrepreneurs throughout the year. This year’s EIRs include serial entrepreneur J. Anthony Miguez, digital marketing expert Megan Hargroder, and private equity investor Hank Torbert, equaling over 50 years of combined experience.

“The Idea Village supports entrepreneurs by engaging experienced mentors to support founders during the critical startup phase,” said Tim Williamson, Co-founder and CEO of The Idea Village. “The 2016 EIRs and startup experts all have unique backgrounds, unparalleled experience, and robust personal networks for entrepreneurs looking to start and scale a venture in New Orleans.”

Miguez, Hargroder and Torbert will actively particpate in the following accelerator programs:

  • IDEAx: 12-week program for 5 New Orleans-based founders creating scalable businesses. Learn more here.
  • DIGITAL MEDIAx: 12-week program for 5 New Orleans-based founders with innovative digital information sharing concepts readily accessible on a mobile platform, hosted in partnership with NOLA Media Group. Learn more here.
  • ENERGYx: 12-week program for 5 Louisiana-based oil and gas startups, hosted in partnership with the Southeast Louisiana Energy Initiative. Learn more here.

More about the 2016 Entrepreneurs-in-Residence below:

A serial entrepreneur, Miguez has been working with early-stage companies for nearly two decades. He was head of strategy for Zurich Scudder’s venture capital group, where he led the development and implementation of the firm’s eFinancial Services investment approach. He works as both an advisor and member of numerous investment funds, angel investors, and promising startups. Back for his second year as IDEAx EIR, his specialties include competitive assessment, business model development, customer development, investor segmentation and approach, and investor pitch prep.

Hargroder, Co-founder of Conversations, LLC, is dedicated to helping startups create digital and social media strategies that work. With a robust background in broadcast journalism, video production, and communications, she’s worked with over 100 businesses and individuals including, local hero Steve Gleason, nonprofits like the Junior League and the League of Women Voters, New Orleans retailers like Earth Savers and Jean Therapy, and campaigns like Partners for Healthy Babies, and Tobacco Free Living.

Torbert, a partner at RLMcCall Capital Partners, has spent the last 20 years in private equity and corporate finance. He has deep industry experience in oil and gas, alternative energy, transportation and technology, and he has played a key role in the launch and expansion of numerous businesses in industrials and other sectors. His specialties include private equity, business development, operations management, corporate restructuring, investment selection and analysis, due diligence, and financial engineering. Over the last few years, he has supported and mentored startups and early-stage ventures through his EIR roles at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business and The Idea Village.

For more about the accelerator programs, visit ideavillage.org