Launch Pad featured on WWL

Posted in: Blog, Press by Chris Schultz on July 15, 2009 | 1 Comment

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.

Launch Pad coverage in Baton Rouge

Posted in: Press by Chris Schultz on April 24, 2009 | No Comments

It’s been a good week for Launch Pad coverage. I wanted to share this article from the Baton Rouge Advocate before Jazz Fest today. Ben & I are going to be announcing something else shortly too.

Chris Schultz, a 34-year-old principal in Launch Pad, said he’s stoked by his $25,000 prize. He moved from Los Angeles after meeting his future wife at the 2002 Jazz Fest.

A serial entrepreneur who operates a Web strategy company, Voodoo Ventures, Schultz and partners Will Donaldson — a Tulane MBA student — and Barre Tanguis, a real estate developer — will be based at the Launch Pad’s offices.

There, they’ll rent desk space to technology and business professionals at monthly rates of $750 for a closed-door office, $450 for a desk in the open environment, and $275 for a shared “co-working desk.”

“Getting into office space is very expensive, especially with three-year leases,” Schultz said. “We’re going to work with startups and creative class knowledge workers who may be freelancers who otherwise would work from home and who might need office space.”

Garland Robinette <3’s Twitter

Posted in: Press by Chris Schultz on April 23, 2009 | No Comments

Launch Pad was featured on WWL radio with Garland Robinette yesterday, and I had a lot of fun being on the radio again yesterday. I tempted him during one of the breaks to talk Twitter and we got into it.

Check out Launch Pad discussions @ the 18:20 & 22:30 marks.

Will gets shoutout in CityBiz Blog

Posted in: Press by Chris Schultz on | No Comments

Will get’s props in a post on the City Business Blog by Greg Larose about the IP:

Will Donaldson typifies the spirit behind the IP. The Tulane MBA student is one of the partners in The Launch Pad, which will provide workspace and meeting facilities at the IP for fledgling entrepreneurs who aren’t ready to commit to a long-term office lease.

Congrats Will, great stuff.

Launch Pad in Times Picayune & City Business

Posted in: Press by Chris Schultz on April 15, 2009 | No Comments

Launch Pad had a great press day yesterday (and Barre had a great hair day). We were fortunate enough to be featured by the Times Picayune and City Business. We feel great about this, and look forward to continuing the positive exposure for all the members. We really are confident that this is going to be a tremendous story for the entreprenuerial community in New Orleans.

From the Times Picayune article “Former McGlinchey Stafford building becomes hub for entrepreneurial companies:”

“There will be a lot of interaction by virtue of being in the same building,” said Chris Schultz, whose is starting a company called Launch Pad that will provide low-cost office space to freelance writers, designers and others launching a new business who cannot afford to sign a long-term lease.”

And from City Business “504ward ready to pick Business Competition winner:”

The Idea Village is down to five finalists for its 504ward Business Competition, and the winner of $200,000 in products and services will be announced Saturday.

The contest is geared toward business ideas that will retain young professionals in New Orleans. The Idea Village launched the competition in September with a promotion and support team from Google. By a December submission deadline, the competition received more than 140 applications from 14 states. Panels of young professionals and members of the business community narrowed down the field to five finalists: Launch Pad, NOLA Social Sports, New Orleans Dance Institute, New Orleans Development Co., and Play NOLA.

As much as we like the attention, we are ready to shift the spotlight to our member companies. We’re in talks with our first founding members right now, including a VC-backed startup that is a very exciting business. Are you ready to take flight? Sign up here and let’s talk.