We all know that Steve Jobs didn’t invent computers but he did re-invent how people would use them. Partners, John Schneider and Brace B. Godfrey, Jr., did not invent the entrepreneur incubator concept but they did envision a concept to take the idea that had already been growing in the U.S. and Europe and take it to another level. Their idea, based on four decades each of business experience, was to establish a downtown entrepreneurial campus housing a collaborative partnership between non-profit and for-profit entities with the specific mission of stimulating, nurturing and growing creativity in our next generation of entrepreneurs.
Knowing that most start up businesses have a 90% failure rate, their goal was to reverse that rate among entrepreneurs by offering a platform of resources that most entrepreneurs rarely get a chance to experience. Whether it be technologically advanced, office space to work from with the full compliment of ancillary amenity services; availability of on-site coaching and mentorship on a daily basis; access, as needed, to experienced representatives from a broad array of professional service firms; initial seed dollars to keep the vision going and equity financing to propel growth; job opportunity with an integrated marketing company to meet expenses; or, an event facility to promote the project, their vision had been to establish the one-stop, full-service, entrepreneurial environment that an aspiring entrepreneur has only dreamed about.
Springboard baton rouge, a 501(c)(3) non-profit entity, occupies a prestigious 2nd floor address in the meticulously renovated Kress building located in downtown Baton Rouge at the corner of Third and Main streets. The 10,000 sq.ft. office space houses the latest in technological amenities, resources and support to launch the next generation of business owners.
