Shreveport's Keith and Ken Hanson, the co-founders of software development company Twin Engine Labs, beat out more than 1,200 applicants to participate in the StartUpBus, and their development team's application out-placed 38 other apps to win this year's competition.

Launch Pad Ignition, a New Orleans seed accelerator program and partner in the TechStars Network, recently announced its 2011 inaugural class of startup companies during New Orleans Entrepreneur Week. 

StartUp Weekend, a 54-hour event where developers, designers, marketers, product managers, and startup enthusiasts come together to share ideas, form teams, build products, and launch startups, settles in Baton Rouge April 8-10. 

The Bayou State was well represented at this year's SXSW in Austin. Louisiana Entertainment and regional entertainment allies promoted creative business development in the state at the SXSW Trade Show. Numerous musicians performed amazing showcases. "Super," "Live at Preservation Hall: Louisiana Fairytale," and "Fightville," - all films with Louisiana ties - debuted to glowing reviews. Louisianans sat on panel discussions across all three areas: interactive, film, and music, and several Louisiana organizations proved no one can throw a party quite like Louisianans, even in Austin. For a recap of Louisiana-related SXSW events, see our calendar.