Shreveport-Bossier is on a path to creating an “innovation ecosystem” as part of a business unit within the Biomedical Research Foundation of Northwest Louisiana or BRF.
The IC² Institute of the University of Texas at Austin is presenting its fourth workshop in Shreveport on Thursday, Sept. 10. It will wrap up the first year of a multi-year consulting contract to nurture more startup companies that grow and stay here, according to BRF’s executive director of its Entrepreneurial Acceleration Program David Smith. The Austin think tank, Smith says, wants to see more cooperation along the I-20 corridor.
“They think there are incredible silos of excellence all around North Louisiana. What they’re going to help us do is build collaboration between all those silos. I know there will be a major effort along those lines,” Smith said.
An effort is underway to get angel investors working hand-in-hand throughout the state. Smith says now private investors are talking about business deals in New Orleans, Lake Charles and Shreveport-Bossier. That hasn’t happened before.
“We’re in a great position in Shreveport. We have established the New Louisiana Angel Fund with 53 angels. They’ve already invested in seven startup companies in Shreveport. Then, we have the New Orleans Angel Network,” Smith said.
Thursday’s symposium features IBM’s corporate affairs manager for the Ark-La-Tex Sandy Dochen and IC² Institute’s senior research scientist Gregory Pogue. The program will focus on industry involvement in an innovation economy. It begins at 11 a.m. at the Shreveport Club.
IC² Institute is involved in business development initiatives in more than 30 countries.
The consulting work with IC² Institute is funded through a BRF public-private partnership with the city of Shreveport and the Caddo Parish Commission, Smith says.
