Launch Pad Ignition Joins TechStars Network To Accelerate Startup Businesses and Enhance Entrepreneurship in New Orleans

As a TechStars Network Member, Launch Pad Ignition Takes Part in White House Startup America Program

NEW ORLEANS, LA – February 1, 2011 – Launch Pad Ignition is today announcing that it is now a member of the TechStars Network, a newly launched White House sponsored alliance of independently owned and operated startup accelerator programs from dozens of cities across the United States and around the world. The TechStars Network is comprised of other startup accelerator programs similar to Launch Pad Ignition that provide seed funding and mentorship to innovative entrepreneurs. Launch Pad Ignition will collaborate with these organizations and learn best practices from the mentorship-driven model pioneered by TechStars, the leading startup accelerator program in the United States. As a member of the TechStars Network, Launch Pad Ignition will have access to a rich set of strategic resources including professional development and ongoing support to effectively lead and mentor innovative entrepreneurs in New Orleans. The TechStars Network is part of the Startup America initiative, launched yesterday by President Obama. In partnership with the White House, the goal of the TechStars Network is to become an engine for job growth by ensuring that over the next four years, 5,000 experienced business leaders and investors will mentor and support 6,000 promising young entrepreneurs. The aim is to increase the success rate and sustainability of each program, and to ultimately create 25,000 new economy jobs by 2015. “We are pleased to have Launch Pad Ignition join the TechStars Network,” said David Cohen, Founder and CEO of TechStars. “The TechStars Network signals and formalizes our support for credible mentorship-driven programs like Launch Pad Ignition. We believe the proliferation of the mentorship-driven accelerator model is healthy for entrepreneurs. Through this network of independent organizations, we can help increase their impact dramatically and make entrepreneurial communities the real winners.” “Launch Pad Ignition is thrilled to be part of the launch of the TechStars Network. Techstars is the leader in this new generation of incubators and accelerators that actually work because

of their mentor-driven approach to helping entrepreneurs build companies. We share the core values of TechStars approach and are excited to be bringing Launch Pad Ignition to New Orleans which has emerged as hotbed of entrepreneurship” said Chris Schultz, co-founder of Launch Pad Ignition. Launch Pad Ignition joins a select group of invitation-only TechStars Network member organizations in major cities across the United States and around the world. Today the network is open to all entrepreneurial thought leaders and organizations interested in building or enhancing mentorship-driven startup accelerator programs. About Launch Pad IgnitionLaunch Pad Ignition is a startup accelerator that provides seed funding and mentorship to startups. It is program of Launch Pad, a co-working & incubator space in downtown New Orleans. With 12,000 sq ft of shared workspace and more than 60 companies, Launch Pad is at the heart of the entrepreneurial renaissance in New Orleans and is one of the most successful co-working spaces in the country. For more information visit:http://launchpadignition.com About the TechStars NetworkThe TechStars Network is a membership organization that ensures the sharing of resources and best practices between independently owned and operated mentorship-driven seed acceleration programs across the globe. Currently, the TechStars Network includes charter members in dozens of cities, including AlphaLab, Pittsburgh, PA; Arizona State University, Scottsdale, AZ; Betaspring, Providence, RI; Blueprint Health, New York, NY; BoomStartup, Salt Lake City, UT; Excelerate Labs, Chicago, IL; Founders Co-op, Seattle, WA; Incubate Miami, Miami, FL; Joyful Frog Digital Incubator; Singapore; Jumpstart Foundry, Nashville, TN; LaunchPad Ignition, New Orleans, LA; Ryan Academy Propeller Seed Accelerator Program, Dublin, Ireland; Springboard, Cambridge, UK; Startupbootcamp, Copenhagen, Denmark and Madrid, Spain; TechStars Boston, MA, New York, NY, Boulder, CO and Seattle, WA; Tech Wildcatters, Dallas, TX; The Brandery, Cincinnati, OH; The Elevator, Tel Aviv, Israel. The TechStars Network is quickly expanding its membership. For more information, visit http://www.techstars.org/network. Contact: Chris Schultz, chris@launchpadnola.com, 504-298-8884

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