Fifteen ventures have been selected for IDEAVILLAGEx, the suite of accelerator programs designed by The Idea Village for Louisiana-based entrepreneurs.
IDEAVILLAGEx includes DIGITALMEDIAx, focused on digital content-sharing ventures, ENERGYx, ENERGYx focused on ventures in the petroleum industry, and IDEAx, designed for all startup ventures regardless of industry.
Each is an intensive 12-week accelerator focused on creating scalable and fundable businesses in New Orleans across a range of industries. The programs are part of larger Entrepreneur Season, which kicks off each year in July and runs through the 9th annual New Orleans Entrepreneur Week in March.
The entrepreneurs participating in the 2017 accelerator programs include:
DIGITALMEDIAx:
- Dreamster Media Group – Brandon Bulliard
Dreamster Media Group is an online media network and production company currently focused on producing content for the rapidly expanding podcast market.
- iDWELL – Anne McQueen
iDWELL.co is a platform to help connect people who are looking for a furnished or unfurnished rental property to property owners and the businesses that surround them.
- The Host – Brittney Greene
THE HOST is a property and traveler assist platform, connecting individuals remotely with real-time service professionals.
- Scenehound – Michael Underwood, Matt Maurel
scenehound is a mobile application that tells users how busy bars and restaurants are in real-time to help them plan the perfect night out.
- WannaDoStuff – Chinwe Onyenekwu
WannaDoStuff is a mobile app that connects users who are interested in attending events or doing activities but do not want to do them alone, providing a platform where users can find and create events and connect with others to go with them.
ENERGYx:
- Cleargistix – Steven Toups
Cleargistix intelligently connects the field to the office, providing a more efficient digital means for companies still utilizing paper and other outdated technologies to capture revenue, activity, safety, compliance, payroll and other information in the field.
- Haring Laboratories – Chris Haring, June Haring
Haring Laboratories designs and manufactures cutting-edge hydrogen engine efficiency products to make carbon-burning engines highly efficient in the utilization of their fuel, creating better fuel economy, lower emissions, and cleaner-running engines.
- L&M Environmental Response – Margo Moss, Lee Lemond
L&M is an environmental consulting company providing specialized services in regulatory compliance and response management for the oil & gas industry. L&M is developing the LDAR program to address the new 2016 EPA NSPS Methane Regulations in an innovative way.
- The Offshore Exchange – Brittan Breaux
The Offshore Exchange provides a logistics management platform (SaaS) & online marketplace (B2B) to implement shared logistics models and optimize offshore services.
IDEAx:
- craftDIY – Daniel Galvez, Sam Olmsted, Trevor Gopnik
craftDIY sells high-end, prefabricated, do-it-yourself craft kits for consumers to create the perfect craft at home with zero hassle.
- Doorman Designs – Alex Geriner
Doorman Designs crafts unique furniture that evokes a sense of place and tells a story, while giving centuries-old materials a new life. Doorman Designs produces pieces both for residential and commercial projects and can be customized specifically for a client’s space.
- FollowMyCal – Richard Carthon, Carlos Wilson
FollowMyCal has the goal of making the best social and shareable calendar by providing a product that is simple, seamless, and customizable.
- Junction Place Sports – Josh Tolbert
Junction Place Sports is a mobile youth sports company. Our model is based on partnerships with existing schools/youth organizations to provide service for sports/PE needs not met.
- NavaTarang – Pradnesh Mohare, Rahul Khopkar
NavaTarang’s technologies enable ultra-slim, ultra-light, and aesthetically pleasing audio solutions at significantly better price points and levels of quality.
- White Rabbits – Nicole Rock, Kristen Bykowski
White Rabbits, using its custom-built database, Magic Bank, specializes in creating custom gifts, events and experiences for clients seeking something extraordinary. Our research is what sets us apart, focusing on pinpointing the most unique gifts, best venues and service providers, and most specialized experiences globally.
“Our team is looking forward to working with this cohort which reflects our dynamic local entrepreneurial community,” said Emily Madero, Acting CEO of The Idea Village. “Upon completion of these programs, these entrepreneurs will join a network of 218 IDEAVILLAGEx alumni who have secured more than $109 million in private capital, created more than 2900 jobs, and earn $168 million in annual revenue. We are excited to have our accelerator companies contribute to the further growth of the entrepreneur ecosystem that is such a critical component of creating a thriving future for our city.”