Incu-Biz - Out to Lunch - It's Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge has a bustling economy and plenty of entrepreneurs with
great ideas, but baton Rouge doesn t have an ecosystem for
entrepreneurs. Whether it s a culture, a lack of capital, or a
little of both, Stephanie s guets on Out to Lunch each have a
unique perspective on what it will take to build a better ecosystem
for entrepreneurs. Byron Clayton is President and CEO of the
Research Park Corporation, which created and operates the Louisiana
Technology Park, a business incubator here in Baton Rouge that
recently rebranded as Nexus. Byron comes from Cleveland Ohio, where
he had extensive experience in the entrepreneurial sector. Since
coming to Louisiana in early 2015, he s been making some changes to
the way business at the business incubator is done. Louis Freeman
ia president and CEO of Innovation Catalyst, a nonprofit venture
development organization created by the RPC that Byron Clayton
heads. Innovation Catalyst provides startup money to fledgling
businesses through its nonprofit Catalyst Fund, and is looking for
deals. Louis has a foot both in baton rouge and New Orleans and is
working in both cities to help make deals happen and bring the two
business communities closer at the same time. Mark Drennen ia
Senior Vice President of lobbying group Cornerstone Government
Affairs. Mark has an impressive resume, having previously served as
the head of New Orleans economic development organization, GNO
Inc., before that as the Commissioner of Administration under Gov.
Mike Foster, and prior to that as head of the esteemed Public
Affairs Research Council. Mark has seen deals get done from various
different perspectives and as a result has a unique insight into
the way things work here in south Louisiana. Thia conversation is
an insightful look back at where Baton Rouge business has come from
and more importantly the bright future ahead. Photos at Mansurs on
the Boulevard by Ken Stewart.

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