Ignite Residential Learning Community

The Ignite RLC brings together first-year students with an interest in entrepreneurship and innovation. Through experiential learning and academic coursework, this RLC will foster an entrepreneurial mindset and provide opportunities for residents to explore and share ideas. Ignite students will learn about launching and building a business from those who have done it, including student startup founders, the vibrant New Orleans business community, and Tulane Alumni. Whether they are coming from a family business, have a business idea they want to launch, or simply want to learn more about the startup process, students will forge meaningful connections and gain real-world experience in entrepreneurship.

As a member of the Ignite RLC, you must take a Tulane Interdisciplinary Experience Seminar (TIDES) course that is affiliated with the RLC. The TIDES program offers first-year courses to students to promote interdisciplinary scholarship and exploration. In this TIDES course, students will be given a behind the scenes look at the entrepreneurial ecosystem in New Orleans –the lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts and what needs to happen to have a vibrant startup community that is equitable, accessible, and collaborative. From local entrepreneurs to community partners to support organizations to investors and more, this course will bring together some of the most important stakeholders in the New Orleans entrepreneurial ecosystem. We will also leverage our data from the Greater New Orleans Startup Report, hearing from our very own Lepage Center to present an in-depth overview of the current state of the early-stage business economy in New Orleans.