Not competing in Louisiana Startup Prize? No problem. You can still gain valuable business advice this Saturday.

Louisiana Startup Prize is hosting another qualifying event for those competing in the prize. However, if you are a business owner or are looking to start, you can still garner savvy business advice from a top startup consultant.

Here's more from Louisiana Startup Prize:

LOUISIANA STARTUP PRIZE ANNOUNCES COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY STARTUP CONSULTANT AS KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Shreveport-Bossier City, LALarry Seibert, a New York City-based adviser and mentor at Columbia University’s School of Business Entrepreneurship Program, will present a free keynote address and provide mentoring at Louisiana Startup Prize’s qualifying event on Saturday, May 30. Seibert is a nationally-renown startup guru and investor who specializes in mentoring entrepreneurs and their budding business ideas.

The Louisiana Startup Prize is an education and competition event featuring a $70,000 grand prize in cash and professional consulting services for entrepreneurs nationwide.

Seibert’s keynote address will be presented during the event’s May 29-31 Qualifier Two session on Saturday, May 30 from 4pm-5pm at the Bossier Arts Council (630 Barksdale Blvd., Bossier City, 71111). This presentation is free and open to the public; to RSVP, visit the Louisiana Startup Prize keynote event Facebook page: www.facebook.com/events/1598729373716025/.

Seibert will also conduct mentor sessions throughout the competition’s Qualifier Two session; to attend, startups, entrepreneurs, and small businesses must first register for Qualifier Two at www.LaStartupPrize.com. For more information about competing in Louisiana Startup Prize 2015, contact Emily Smith at (318) 213-6437 or lastartupprize.com.

Seibert served as a Louisiana Startup Prize 2014 judge and led the investment round for one of the 2014 finalist.

“I am excited to see what this year’s Startup Prize will bring,” said Seibert. “Last year I was only involved in the finals and so to be involved in the contest from an earlier stage and particularly involved in the keynote, I think will bring another element of excitement for me. I see so much potential in the area and the entrepreneurs that have been brought to the competition.”

Seibert has worked in the public and private sectors and currently specializes in startup markets, and has founded, invested in, and run numerous early-stage companies.

“There has clearly been a shift in this country over the last 5-10 years towards a more entrepreneurial culture,” said Seibert. “The small company spirit is one that allows people more creativity and freedom in what they do. The interest in creating a business of your own calls for a great deal of skill and people need to know exactly which ones they need acquire to succeed. The LA Startup contest is an exciting way for entrepreneurs to meet others just like them, and find the help they need to break out and be successful.”

Seibert currently works as a Strategic Adviser and founding investor for a young, Dubai-based renewable energy company called Qmega.

The Startup Prize is a unique concept connecting entrepreneurs with mentors and experts who can help them grow their startup from just an idea to a successful business. Its purpose is to energize and incentivize local, regional and national entrepreneurs who have an early-stage new business or want to start one. The goal of the startup competition is to evolve businesses through a series of Qualifying Events consisting of keynotes, panels, mentor sessions, and $1,000 mini-competitions.  In addition to the grand prize, participants and their businesses gain exposure to potential investors.

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