SHREVEPORT, LA – Louisiana’s top entrepreneurial minds, economic development leaders, and academic representatives gathered in Shreveport last week for Startup Prize: Focus on Innovation, an inaugural event designed to foster collaboration and drive economic growth through innovation.
Hosted by the Prize Foundation with support from Louisiana Economic Development (LED), the event connected Louisiana-based stakeholders with national thought leaders and mentors who have successfully built entrepreneurial ecosystems in cities like Denver, Boston, and Austin. The discussions centered on actionable strategies to support startups, enhance collaboration, and establish Louisiana as a national leader in innovation.
A Unified Vision for Innovation
Gregory Kallenberg, executive director of the Prize Foundation and founder of Startup Prize, highlighted the significance of the event in aligning Louisiana’s innovation efforts.
“It was incredible to see all of these leaders in the room together, unifying to create a way forward for entrepreneurs in our state,” said Kallenberg. “If nothing else, it shows how the Startup Prize can help create a beacon for our region to lead Louisiana towards being a national innovation leader.”
The event began with a Welcome Dinner at Second Act Supper Club, allowing attendees to network and exchange insights. Friday featured a full day of roundtable discussions led by industry experts, with a focus on crafting strategic solutions to drive innovation-driven economic development.
Key Discussions Led by National Experts
Some of the event’s most impactful sessions included:
- Building Strong Innovation Ecosystems – Led by Chris Bauer (MassChallenge), this session explored how cities can create sustainable startup environments.
- Strategic Partnerships – Urvashi Bhatnagar (The Good Science Fund) shared insights on leveraging collaborations between businesses, investors, and policymakers.
- Private-Public Sector Collaboration – Eric Drummond (Denver Innovation Corridor) discussed how government and industry can work together to foster regional innovation.
- Funding the Future – Cian Robinson (Robinson Ventures) addressed investment strategies for scaling startups.
- Fostering a Culture of Experimentation – Dr. Karl Krumm encouraged risk-taking and innovation in entrepreneurship.
“I’ve been really impressed with the passion and the work that’s being done here to create the opportunity and the foundation for a robust environment for innovation,” said Eric Drummond, Founder and CEO of Denver’s Innovation Corridor. “Startup Prize has brought leaders together from around the state, and now it’s time to get to work. I look forward to watching Louisiana’s progress toward their ambitious goals.”
Next Steps for Louisiana’s Innovation Economy
The event concluded with a wrap-up session, “Building an Innovation Empire,” which outlined steps for continued collaboration, ecosystem growth, and long-term support for entrepreneurs.
For more information about Startup Prize and upcoming programs, visit startupprize.com.
About Startup Prize
Founded in 2014, Startup Prize is a nationally recognized entrepreneurial competition where innovators from Louisiana and beyond compete for a $10,000 cash prize, mentorship, and investment opportunities. The competition has supported over 450 companies and 800 entrepreneurs, making it the largest startup gathering in Northwest Louisiana.
About the Prize Foundation
The Prize Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was established in 2012 to promote economic development, workforce training, and entrepreneurship through festivals, contests, and educational initiatives. The Foundation runs six major programs: Film Prize, Film Prize Junior, Startup Prize, Food Prize, Music Prize, and Fashion Prize, all of which aim to support local talent and drive economic growth in Northwest Louisiana.