Launch Pad Ignition Joins TechStars Network To Accelerate Startup

Businesses and Enhance Entrepreneurship in New Orleans

As a TechStars Network Member, Launch Pad Ignition Takes Part in White House
Startup America Program

NEW ORLEANS, LA – February 1, 2011 – Launch Pad Ignition is today announcing that it is
now a member of the TechStars Network, a newly launched White House sponsored alliance of
independently owned and operated startup accelerator programs from dozens of cities across
the United States and around the world.

The TechStars Network is comprised of other startup accelerator programs similar to Launch
Pad Ignition that provide seed funding and mentorship to innovative entrepreneurs. Launch Pad
Ignition will collaborate with these organizations and learn best practices from the mentorship-
driven model pioneered by TechStars, the leading startup accelerator program in the United
States. As a member of the TechStars Network, Launch Pad Ignition will have access to a rich
set of strategic resources including professional development and ongoing support to effectively
lead and mentor innovative entrepreneurs in New Orleans.

The TechStars Network is part of the Startup America initiative, launched yesterday by
President Obama. In partnership with the White House, the goal of the TechStars Network is to
become an engine for job growth by ensuring that over the next four years, 5,000 experienced
business leaders and investors will mentor and support 6,000 promising young entrepreneurs.
The aim is to increase the success rate and sustainability of each program, and to ultimately
create 25,000 new economy jobs by 2015.

“We are pleased to have Launch Pad Ignition join the TechStars Network,” said David Cohen,
Founder and CEO of TechStars. “The TechStars Network signals and formalizes our support
for credible mentorship-driven programs like Launch Pad Ignition. We believe the proliferation
of the mentorship-driven accelerator model is healthy for entrepreneurs. Through this network
of independent organizations, we can help increase their impact dramatically and make
entrepreneurial communities the real winners.”

“Launch Pad Ignition is thrilled to be part of the launch of the TechStars Network. Techstars
is the leader in this new generation of incubators and accelerators that actually work because
of their mentor-driven approach to helping entrepreneurs build companies. We share the
core values of TechStars approach and are excited to be bringing Launch Pad Ignition to New
Orleans which has emerged as hotbed of entrepreneurship” said Chris Schultz, co-founder of
Launch Pad Ignition.

Launch Pad Ignition joins a select group of invitation-only TechStars Network member
organizations in major cities across the United States and around the world. Today the network
is open to all entrepreneurial thought leaders and organizations interested in building or
enhancing mentorship-driven startup accelerator programs.

About Launch Pad Ignition

Launch Pad Ignition is a startup accelerator that provides seed funding and mentorship to
startups. It is program of Launch Pad, a co-working & incubator space in downtown New
Orleans. With 12,000 sq ft of shared workspace and more than 60 companies, Launch Pad is at
the heart of the entrepreneurial renaissance in New Orleans and is one of the most successful
co-working spaces in the country. For more information visit:
http://launchpadignition.com

About the TechStars Network

The TechStars Network is a membership organization that ensures the sharing of resources
and best practices between independently owned and operated mentorship-driven seed
acceleration programs across the globe. Currently, the TechStars Network includes charter
members in dozens of cities, including AlphaLab, Pittsburgh, PA; Arizona State University,
Scottsdale, AZ; Betaspring, Providence, RI; Blueprint Health, New York, NY; BoomStartup,
Salt Lake City, UT; Excelerate Labs, Chicago, IL; Founders Co-op, Seattle, WA; Incubate
Miami, Miami, FL; Joyful Frog Digital Incubator; Singapore; Jumpstart Foundry, Nashville, TN;
LaunchPad Ignition, New Orleans, LA; Ryan Academy Propeller Seed Accelerator Program,
Dublin, Ireland; Springboard, Cambridge, UK; Startupbootcamp, Copenhagen, Denmark and
Madrid, Spain; TechStars Boston, MA, New York, NY, Boulder, CO and Seattle, WA; Tech
Wildcatters, Dallas, TX; The Brandery, Cincinnati, OH; The Elevator, Tel Aviv, Israel. The
TechStars Network is quickly expanding its membership. For more information, visit http://
www.techstars.org/network.

Contact: Chris Schultz, chris@launchpadnola.com, 504-298-8884

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