News Summary
Tony Zanders has been appointed as the president and CEO of Nexus Louisiana, where he aims to boost the technology sector in the state. Since February, he has introduced initiatives such as the Nexus Technology Cup to inspire innovation among students and tech enthusiasts. Addressing the need for tech talent, Zanders is focused on cultivating a community of entrepreneurs and fostering local technological solutions to drive economic growth in Louisiana.
New Orleans – Tony Zanders has taken the helm as the president and CEO of Nexus Louisiana, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering business development for high-tech companies. Zanders, a New Orleans native and founder of Skilltype Inc., an innovative software platform for library management, steps into a leadership role that has been vacant for nearly three years. His appointment comes with ambitious goals aimed at boosting the technology sector in Louisiana.
Since his appointment in February, Zanders has launched several initiatives, including the Nexus Technology Cup. This competition showcases the software and hardware innovations emerging from Louisiana and invites participation from high school and college students, as well as tech enthusiasts throughout the state. The competition serves as a platform for young innovators to display their creations and engage with the local tech community.
Zanders has identified a key challenge for Louisiana’s tech entrepreneurs: the need to harness and galvanize available tech talent. He emphasizes that, contrary to popular belief, fundraising is not the primary hurdle hindering tech development in the state. Instead, there is a pressing need for countless bright minds from science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields to understand how to utilize their skills to address pressing societal needs.
Nexus Louisiana aims to educate the community about contemporary technology and how these innovations can provide viable solutions to ongoing problems. The organization actively provides programs and a structured curriculum to prepare individuals for bringing their inventive ideas to market, equipping them with the knowledge necessary for successful commercialization.
Zanders envisions a robust community of technology entrepreneurs across all 64 parishes in Louisiana, aspiring to cultivate a thousand new technology founders in the state by 2030. The organization positions itself as a resource, reaching out to tech students and professionals to inspire them to think of themselves as capable entrepreneurs who can contribute to solving local challenges.
An integral part of Zanders’ strategy involves connecting with local high schools, emphasizing the importance of education and technical expertise in nurturing a culture of innovation. By fostering this connection, he aims to inspire the next generation of tech leaders, ensuring they are aware of their potential to drive change through technology.
Moreover, Zanders is determined to harness the unique expertise that exists within the state. He believes that Louisiana should focus on developing high-tech solutions internally rather than depending on external businesses for innovation. This approach is expected to empower local talents across various sectors, including oil and gas, petrochemicals, and academia, to collaborate and generate impactful technological solutions.
Zanders is drawing on his experiences with Skilltype to effectively structure Nexus Louisiana’s team and its various programs. His commitment to nurturing a diverse array of technology builders from multiple backgrounds is evident, as he recognizes the potential for collaborative efforts to lead to significant advancements in the tech sector.
As Nexus Louisiana under Zanders’ leadership embarks on this journey, the organization is set on changing the narrative of Louisiana’s tech ecosystem. By motivating individuals to apply their knowledge meaningfully, Zanders is keen on recognizing and transforming the untapped potential of local tech entrepreneurs into actionable solutions that address societal issues.
Overall, this strategic approach aims not only to enhance the tech sector in Louisiana but also to inspire a new generation of innovators capable of addressing the challenges of tomorrow through technology.
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NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
