The Idea Village

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Welcome to The Idea Village, a depot of talent and collaboration, created for innovators in New Orleans.

The Idea Village is a 501(c) (3) economic development organization whose mission is to ignite innovation by providing strategy, talent and resources to entrepreneurial ventures. Since 2002, we have engaged a powerful network of talented individuals committed to developing a vibrant entrepreneurial community in New Orleans.

The Idea Village is an independent organization whose attitude is best exemplified by our mantra: “Trust Your Crazy Ideas.”

Background:

In 1999, The Idea Village was founded by a group of local entrepreneurs who believe that innovation creates economic change. While New Orleans has the natural assets to be a world-class entrepreneurial community, in order to unleash this powerful spirit, we must create a linked network of resources to accelerate the development of entrepreneurial ventures. To put their ideas into action, the group hosted a business plan competition in 2001 and ignited a movement that brought together public, private and university resources in a focused effort to foster innovation.

Formalized in 2002, The Idea Village has become the primary driver for business innovation in New Orleans by developing strategic initiatives to support the growth of over 210 local entrepreneurial ventures. The Idea Village engages a talented network of over 500 individuals with generous support from private corporations, foundations, national universities, Greater New Orleans, Inc., the City of New Orleans, and the State of Louisiana.

The Idea Village Programs :

To achieve our mission, The Idea Village has developed strategically integrated programs to drive business innovation in New Orleans, specifically, Village Ventures, Innovative Spaces, IDEAcorps™ and The Innovation Network.

Village Ventures: We have accelerated the development of entrepreneurial ventures through business strategy, connecting entrepreneurs to business mentors, and facilitating access to professional services and capital resources.

As of February 2008, The Idea Village has:

Supported over 210 entrepreneurs through grants, strategic assistance, and events, 90% remain open and 38% have expanded.
Retained over 1174 jobs and $86 million in revenue.
Improved targeted industries: technology, retail, childcare, tourism, po-boy, art and music.

Innovative Spaces: We have developed a linked network of innovative spaces to revitalize key commercial corridors in New Orleans, with the office on Camp Street as the original "Business Innovation Center." The Business Innovation Centers provide access to technology, technical assistance, financial services, and other resources essential to growing entrepreneurial ventures.

As of February 2008, The Idea Village has:

Executed initiatives on five strategic neighborhood corridors: Magazine Street, French Quarter, Oak Street, Freret Street and Bayou Road.
Developed plans for a linked network of innovative spaces that encourage cross collaboration and serve as catalysts for economic growth in each community.
Launched the first physical affiliate in the Upper 9th Ward (The Idea Village @ N. Galvez), in partnership with Regions Bank, New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity, Tulane University and Mercy Corps.

IDEAcorps™: We have co-developed with Tulane University a Peace-Corps like initiative for business and civic-minded students who provide direct consulting and revitalization strategies to innovative ventures in New Orleans.

As of February 2008, The Idea Village has:

Engaged over 220 students from 7 national universities.
Partnered with leading universities: Stanford’s Graduate School of Business, Harvard Business School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Masters Urban Planning Program, Columbia University Masters Urban Planning Program, DePaul’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business, University of Pennsylvania Engineering School and Tulane University Business School and School of Social Work.

Innovation Network:With a goal of creating positive change in New Orleans, our powerful network of over 500 individuals from different generations, career paths, socioeconomic and geographic upbringings inspire passion and energy to accelerate the growth of the entrepreneurial community.

Early Believers: Adam Knapp, Aidan Gill, Aimee! Bell, Alden McDonald, Allen Bell, Allen Eskew, Alton Doody, Andrea Eatherly, Beth James, Bill Hines, Bill Metcalf, Bruce Roch, Carla Fishman, Chad Guice, Ches Eaton, Chris Connolly, Christian Lagarde, Darryl d'Aquin, Darryl Glade, Daryn Dodson, David Guidry, David Sylvester, David Voelker, David Waller, Dickie Brennan, E. Tiffany Adler, Ed Michael Reggie, Ellie Rand, Elliott Bouillion, Elly Lane, Emily Mitchell, Erin Murphy, Gardner Boulmay, Garland Robinette, George Cloutier, Greg Meffert, Gurvinder Gandhi, Harlan Schwartz, Jackie Adams, Jamal Brown, James Hardy, Jan Jobe, Jim Gradl, Jimmy Treuting, Joe Carrere, John Chamberlain, John Deveney, John Elstrott, John Kallenborne, John Koerner, John Payne, Jonathon Ferrara, Josh Mayer, Keith Crawford, Kelly Longwell, Lauren Baum, Laurie Azzano, Leslie Gottsegan, Lee Reid, Lee Zurik, Leslie Jacobs, Lisa Levatino, Lori Bertman, Mark Romig, Mason Granger, Matt Carmichael, Matthew Wisdom, Mayor Ray Nagin, Mel Lagarde, Merritt Lane, Michael Azzano, Michael Johnson, Michael Karnjanaprakorn, Michele Carrere, Miji Park, Morial Vallot, Nicky Cohen-Henriquez, Nicole Provosty, Nikhil Patel, P.K. Scheerle, Peter Couhig, Stacey Sutton, Quentin Dastugue, Rayne Reynolds, Rob Tompkins, Robbie Vitrano, Rod West, Ron Forman, Sally Forman, Sam Giberga, Sarah Kracke, Scott Cowen, Scott Jacobs, Senator Anne Duplessis, Sharon Courtney, Steve Perry, Steve Rosenthal, Susan Gundlach, Suzanne Mestayer, Ted Kritikos, Tim Johnson, Tim Ryan, Tim Williamson, Tommy Pritchard, Van Gallinghouse, Yvette Jones.
Private Partners: Jones Family Foundation, Regions Bank, Entergy, J.P. Morgan Chase, Cortopassi Family Foundation, Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation, Canal Barge, HCA, New Orleans Business Council, Mercy Corps, Leslie Jacobs, Jones Walker, Trumpet Group.
National Universities: Tulane University, University of New Orleans, Stanford University, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania, De Paul University.
Economic Development Partners: Greater New Orleans Inc, SeedCo, Good Work Network, NewCorp, Hope Credit Union, LANO.
Government: City of New Orleans and State of Louisiana.