From Startup to Exit
Welcome to the Startup to Exit podcast where we bring you world-class entrepreneurs and VCs to share their hard-earned success stories and secrets. This podcast has been brought to you by TiE Seattle. TiE is a global non-profit that focuses on fostering entrepreneurship. TiE Seattle offers a range of programs including the GoVertical Startup Creation Weekend, TiE Entrepreneur Institute, and the TiE Seattle Angel Network. We encourage you to become a TiE member so you can gain access to these great programs. To become a member, please visit www.Seattle.tie.org.
From Startup to Exit
How Louisiana is driving innovation, A Conversation with Josh Fleig, CIO for the State of Louisiana
You may not think of the State of Louisiana as a software innovation hub but it is doing a lot to attract startups to its state. It has a $100 million seed capital fund to match VC investment dollar for dollar. It is willing to rebate 25% of your software development dollars for software development done in its state. It is also
providing sales tax rebates to attract large data centers to its state.
Josh Fleig is responsible for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship across the state, while assisting small businesses with access to award-winning programs and services designed to accelerate growth and elevate Louisiana’s standing as a hub for innovation and high-value jobs.
He is an experienced senior executive with over 20 years at the intersections of technology, economic development and education.
Most recently, Fleig served as the Senior Vice President of Business Development at Greater New Orleans, Inc., where he led his team to developing a project pipeline of over $20 billion. Under his guidance, the team engineered strategies to develop key industries across Louisiana’s Southeast Region, with initiatives ranging from entrepreneurship and innovation to future energy and entertainment.
Before his tenure at GNO, Inc., Josh was a trailblazer in the growth of Louisiana’s technology industry. Starting with the Jindal administration in 2012, he was the architect of a recruitment strategy that sparked dozens of software and digital media project wins at Louisiana Economic Development. His contributions included the co-creation of the state’s Entertainment Development Fund.
Earlier in his career, Josh established a track record of innovation as the Director of Media and Brands at SinglePoint (now Bally’s Corporation). There, he managed publisher relationships for the SaaS business, driving interactive TV engagements that captivated audiences across major broadcasters like CBS, Disney, Viacom and Discovery. His journey into the media industry began at NBCUniversal, where he
thrived as a technical producer in interactive media product design, creating hundreds of groundbreaking fan engagements for NBC Sports, Bravo, Syfy, MSNBC, CNBC and more.
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