Baton Rouge and Amsterdam accelerators form partnership

Springboard Baton Rouge, a new startup “accelerator” based at the Kress at Third & Main, will be able to benefit from the experience and contacts of Rockstart, a similar accelerator based in Amsterdam. Rockstart co-founder James Digby was in Baton Rouge today, speaking at a luncheon celebrating the beginning of Springboard and its affiliated fund, Capital Regions Venture Partners. Digby says the Baton Rouge startups will have access to Rockstart’s mentor network, and Springboard will be able to learn from Rockstart’s established program. Digby says technology, social media and the proliferation of startup funds like Capital Regions helps to make now a particularly ripe time to be an entrepreneur. “The stars are aligning to enable entrepreneurs to go global on day one, but also to reach out and find their new customers in areas that weren’t available before,” he says. Capital Regions Venture Partners will be focused on technology, digital media and film, and real estate, says John Schneider, managing partner of Springboard and Vision City Development Group, the entities spurring creation of the fund. Schneider says the fund, which has so far raised about $1 million and hopes to raise $35 million by 2014, will invest $250,000 at most per company, helping that company create a viable product that can be pitched to other investors. For more about the first companies set to join the accelerator and the fund, click here. —David Jacobs