From "Net Results" Article in New Orleans City Business.

By Keith Brannon


The Homework Site is among six finalists in a grass-roots contest to give the most viable local Internet start-up $115,000 in cash and in-kind services, including a year of free, top-quality office space downtown. The group selected MD Technologies, PetroDesigns, RezMD.com, Workboatrentals.com, The Homework Site, and America Insurance Online out of 75 contest entries. The winner will be named Feb. 15 at a ceremony at the House of Blues.

The Loa Group, comprised of five local Internet entrepreneurs, started the contest in August by offering $10,000 cash for the group with the best idea for a new local Internet company. The idea snowballed into a dot-com barn-raising: a law office, accounting firm, hotel, consulting group, leasing office, and information technology companies all asked to donate services to the winner. The contest has become a flashpoint cause for locals who want to attract more lucrative technology jobs to the city; it is also a coveted stamp of approval for eager start-ups vying for investors.

All six finalist companies filed into a glass-enclosed conference room on the 41st floor of the downtown Bank One Center on a recent Saturday to give 30-minute presentations before Loa judges on why they deserve the grand prize.

The group is judging the contestants on their presentation, innovation, potential to penetrate their market, management, and profitability, says Loa member Greg Meffert: "Can they pull it off? Is what they are doing really different and going to have an impact?"

     The Homework Site is the finalist that is furthest along in marketing its product. The company posts homework assignments, test schedules, syllabi and even lunch menus on-line for schools. So far, 50 schools across the country use the service, including local schools Academy of the Sacred Heart, St. Christopher the Martyr and St. Paul's High School.

     "Our model is working; we do have business," says owner Gene Becker. The Harahan company employs six.