Launch Pad featured on WWL

Posted in: Blog, Press by Chris Schultz on July 15, 2009

Everyone is buzzing around here after a great piece on Launch Pad being at the center of the New Orleans startup ecosystem last night on WWL.

I was thrilled that Scott Satchfield and WWL put together such a nice and relevant story about what is really going on here right now, and the energy around the NOLA startup scene. Lot’s of the members of Launch Pad who were around on Monday & Tuesday when WWL was filming made cameo’s in the piece.

We had a great StartSpark event at Launch Pad and appreciate the support that Microsoft is offering entreprenuers through the BizSpark program, of which Launch Pad is a network partner. The attention that Microsoft bringing to the local tech community by hosting its WPC conference here is a real tribute. Here’s a snippet from the story:

Last month, he introduced what he hopes will become a spark for entrepreneurs in the New Orleans tech industry. It’s called Launch Pad — and the name says it all. It’s an incubator, where Schultz will help companies clear hurdles standing in the way of most tech startups.

“We’re seeing a lot of activity, and sort of the entrepreneurial eco-system is coming together from all of the facets that you need to start a business,” Schultz said. “You know, from a capital standpoint, from a space standpoint.”

Entrepreneurs work in a shared space, where the exchanging of ideas and skills is encouraged.

Software developer Matthew Tritico said new companies seem to have the mutual goal of helping the New Orleans tech community become a major player both nationally and globally.

“That’s really what it’s all about,” he said. “It’s just getting different people from different backgrounds — designers, entrepreneurs, coders, all of us together to talk it out and see what we can do.”

Thanks to Tiffany Ingargiola, Scott Satchfield, GNO, Inc, Tiffany Starnes, Christian Thilmany from Microsoft, Matt Tritico, Neel Sus and the NOLA Ambassadors and most of all the incredible Launch Pad members for making this happen.

Microsoft SparkStart Meetup @ Launch Pad during WPC – July 14

Posted in: Blog, Events by Chris Schultz on July 2, 2009

Microsoft is going to be all over NOLA in a couple weeks for the 2009 Microsoft Worldwide Partners Conference. Launch Pad is pleased to participate in this exciting week by hosting a StartSpark meetup to introduce the local startups, entrepreneurs, & developers to the BizSpark program.

Launch Pad is an official Network Partner of the BizSpark program which means whether you’re at Launch Pad or not, we can help your startup become part of BizSpark.  What’s that mean? Well, good question:

• BizSpark is a program designed to help startups get off the ground through three pillars: software, support & visibility
• Startups in the BizSpark program get free development tools, platform technologies and production licenses

Learn more about the BizSpark program by downloading the datasheet here.

We’re going to introduce BizSpark to the entrepreneurs, startups & software developers, the folks who are doing stuff and supporting the tech community here in New Orleans:

• When: Tuesday, July 14 – 5-7pm
• Where: Launch Pad – 643 Magazine St. Suite 102 (map)
• What to expect: Barcamp style meetup, open discussion of program from Microsoft folks & local developers.
• Who: Representatives from Microsoft & the BizSpark program, developers, techies, conference attendees, all are welcome to join the conversation

This is a great program by Microsoft to place their tools in the hands of developers & startups.  Don’t miss this chance to learn about the program and show Microsoft what a strong community we have.

We can discuss: SilverLight 3, Nextweb, Expression Studio, VS2010 since they are being released July 10th.  Or what else would you like to hear about? Let’s start the convo right now, please comment and let us know what you would like to see covered in the event?

Please RSVP for this event below: