News 

Freeman and The Idea Village team up to rebuild New Orleans

July 24, 2006

The Idea Village, a New Orleans-based non-profit dedicated to supporting entrepreneurial ventures, and the Freeman School have joined together to launch IDEAcorps, a new initiative that will put MBA students, community volunteers and professional consultants to work helping local businesses recover from Hurricane Katrina.

Funded in part by a grant from the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation, IDEAcorps will identify, evaluate and award relief grants to small businesses in Orleans Parish that are integral parts of  the city’s economy and culture. The first round of grants will focus on tourism-based businesses. Qualified businesses will be eligible for grants of up to $10,000 as well as consulting services to be provided by the Idea Village, Freeman School MBA students and professional consultants from the community.

“We expect this diverse and talented team to have a significant impact on local small businesses and the New Orleans economy,” says John Elstrott, clinical professor of business, whose course Rebuild New Orleans helped to spearhead the initiative. “The program will pave the way for continued expansion as local universities join us in launching IDEAcorps teams that focus on other industries and sectors vital to the New Orleans economy.”

Tim Williamson, president of the Idea Village, add, “This program represents a unique opportunity for the Idea Village to leverage New Orleans’ greatest asset—bright, talented individuals—to further our mission of assisting and accelerating the development of local entrepreneurs that drive the New Orleans economy.”

For more information and to apply for grants, visit www.theideavillage.org.