If you don’t know entrepreneurship from Shinola, now’s your chance. The Louisiana Startup Prize is bringing Shinola founder Jacques
Panis in as the keynote speaker for Qualifier Two, Saturday, June 30 at 4 pm in the ballroom at the Remington Suite Hotel & Spa, 220 Travis St. Panis is the co-founder of the luxury brand Shinola and has been working to help spark entrepreneurial activity in Detroit, a city that many had left for dead. “We are incredibly excited to be able to host Jacques at the Startup Prize,” said Gregory Kallenberg, Executive Director of the Prize Foundation. “The amazing thing about him is that he was able to build a thriving ecosystem in a city that many had written off. I think we will 
learn a lot from him.” Panis is equally excited to be coming to Shreveport and share his experiences
with the Startup Prize entrepreneurs. “It is an honor and privilege to have the opportunity to spend a couple of days working with all of the talented entrepreneurs participating in Startup Prize,” said Panis.
“Having been a co-founder of start-ups I am really looking forward to sharing my experiences with the teams. My hope is we find ways to solve issues and overcome challenges the companies are facing within their organizations.”
Panis’ approach towards his endeavors is incredibly unique.
Most luxury brands like Shinola develop in larger markets that are accepting of those brands. His hometown of Detroit was an unlikely candidate. Aside from locating Shinola (maker of luxury watches, luggage bicycles and more) in Detroit, Panis also committed Shinola to hiring local. The result was an incredible success story where Shinola is now a globally recognized brand, and the company now employs over 500 local residents of Detroit.
About the Startup Prize:
The Louisiana Startup Prize is an educational and competitive networking event where entrepreneurs are connected with resources and investors in order to evolve, transform and activate their endeavors. The Startup Prize is now in its fifth year and is open to all entrepreneurs and small business owners.
