Entrepreneurs’ Row: Fueling New Orleans' Startup Ecosystem
In the heart of New Orleans, a unique architectural and business experiment took root to stimulate the city's economic landscape. Entrepreneurs’ Row is a loft-style office building designed specifically to house fledgling startups, providing a collaborative environment where new businesses can grow side-by-side.
Located at 220 Camp Street, the facility is owned by the International House Hotel. It was the vision of entrepreneur Sean Cummings, who sought to create a physical space that would foster innovation and professional synergy within the Crescent City.
The Origin of a Collaborative Hub
The concept for Entrepreneurs’ Row materialized in May 2007. The catalyst was a conversation between Sean Cummings and Nicolas Perkin, the co-founder and president of the Receivables Exchange—an electronic marketplace dedicated to the buying and selling of commercial receivables. When Perkin sought Cummings' advice on moving his operations from New York to New Orleans, Cummings encouraged the move, sparking the idea for a dedicated entrepreneurial center.
By July 2007, Entrepreneurs’ Row officially opened its doors, with the Receivables Exchange becoming the first tenant to occupy the space.
Strategic Growth and Economic Vision
The primary objective behind the development was clustering, a strategy of grouping like-minded entrepreneurs together to build their businesses collectively. Cummings aimed to use this concentrated hub of activity to fuel a local tech-based economy, creating a support system where startups could leverage each other's strengths.
The growth of the hub was rapid. By November 2008, nine different companies had established offices within the building. Demonstrating his commitment to the tenants, Cummings personally invested in six of these resident companies.
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Key Facts
- Location: 220 Camp Street, New Orleans.
- Founder: Sean Cummings.
- Owner: International House Hotel.
- Established: July 2007.
- First Tenant: Receivables Exchange.
- Growth: Nine companies were resident by November 2008.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Building Style | Loft-style office |
| Primary Goal | Clustering entrepreneurs to fuel a tech-based economy |
| Key Figure | Sean Cummings |
| Initial Anchor Tenant | Receivables Exchange (Nicolas Perkin) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Entrepreneurs’ Row?
Entrepreneurs’ Row is a loft-style office building located at 220 Camp Street in New Orleans that serves as a hub for early-stage startup companies.
Who founded Entrepreneurs’ Row?
The facility was created by entrepreneur Sean Cummings in July 2007.
What is the Receivables Exchange?
The Receivables Exchange is an electronic marketplace for buying and selling commercial receivables; it was the first tenant to move into Entrepreneurs’ Row.
What was the goal of clustering entrepreneurs in one building?
The goal was to bring like-minded entrepreneurs together so they could build their businesses collectively and help stimulate a local tech-based economy in New Orleans.
How many companies were in the building by late 2008?
By November 2008, nine companies had offices at Entrepreneurs’ Row, six of which received personal investment from Sean Cummings.