After successfully working with Texas A&M’s Center for New Ventures and Entrepreneurship for the past 7 years, I was appointed this past spring to join the LSU Stephenson Entrepreneurship Institute (SEI) Advisory Board. One of my suggestions to the SEI in the past was to consider the creation of the LSU 100 a program modeled after the Aggie 100. During the fall of 2009 SEI representatives Jill Roshto, Director of Development and Jarett Rodriquez, Associate Director attended the Aggie 100 program to perform their due diligence. They took the idea back to LSU to garner support and we now have the LSU 100. Good job Jill and Jarett!
The LSU 100 is a celebration of the fastest growing businesses around the globe that are being run by a former Tiger. Criteria includes:
Company Size and Longevity The Company must meet both of the following criteria: – Have been in business for 5 years or more as of November 15, 2010, and – Have had verifiable revenues of $100,000 or more for calendar year 2007.
LSU Leadership The Company must meet one or more of the following three criteria: – A Louisiana State University former student or group of former students must have owned 50% or more of the company, January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2009, or – A Louisiana State University former student must have served as the Company’s chief executive (for example chairman, CEO, president or managing partner) from January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2009, or – A Louisiana State University former student must have founded the company and been active as a member of the most senior management team from January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2009.
Company Character The Company must operate in a manner consistent with and in keeping with the values and image of Louisiana State University.
For you long time follows of my blog, you will note the similarity of the two programs (Aggie 100 & LSU 100). I am every bit confident that the LSU 100 will become at Louisiana State University, what it has become at Texas A&M. Outside of sports events and graduation, it is the single largest attended event on the campus of Texas A&M! And I know the LSU 100 will become the same in Baton Rouge.
If you are an LSU Alum, own or run your own business, or you are the CEO, President, or Chairman of a commercial organization, please nominate yourself for the LSU 100! If you have clients or friends where the top executive is a Tiger, don’t miss out a chance to be the person who nominated that Company to the LSU 100. There only be one first time for the LSU 100 and you have a chance to make that list. My experience tells me that in Years 2 and beyond it will be a catfight to make the list, because by then, everyone will want to be on the list.
You can nominate someone by going to the following link:
http://www.bus.lsu.edu/centers/ei/
Geaux Tigers and I look forward to the First Annual LSU 100 in the spring of 2011.