INNOV8 Acadiana is bringing its signature competition event, the Energy Innovators Pitch Challenge, to the Cajundome as part of the LAGCOE Education & Innovation Summit, which runs Oct. 26-27.
Innovators interested in participating must submit their innovations and business plans by Sunday, Oct. 16.
“This is our second year doing it,” says Pete Prados, director of INNOV8 Acadiana. “The energy pitch is really an opportunity for anybody in the energy industry that has a novel idea that they’re trying to get to market to showcase their product in front of a group of investors. It’s kind of Shark Tank-style where the ones that are selected will go up on stage to pitch their idea.”
This year, the Oct. 26 Energy Pitch Challenge will begin with a keynote luncheon with Chesapeake Energy Corporation Vice President of Drilling David Bert, from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. The Pitch Challenge starts right after the luncheon and will be judged by a panel of Acadiana Angels investors.
Each participant will have access to the Acadiana Angels and the New Orleans Angel network, which opens doors to accredited investors all across Louisiana who are actively looking for business opportunities to invest.
“We’ve got a group called the Acadiana Angels,” says Prados. “They are going to be looking at the products and looking at the the business models and, hopefully, what will happen is the ones that are selected, not only will they win a prize, but they will have access to the whole network across Louisiana of accredited investors.”
Innovators interested in participating must submit their innovations and business plans by Sunday, Oct. 16. Up to five innovators will then be chosen by a team of judges the week of Monday, Oct. 17.
Each innovator will be given five minutes to pitch their innovation to a panel of investors in front of a live audience. A five-minute Q&A will follow after the pitch.
Winners will then be chosen for the judges’ favorite and crowd favorite, with other prizes and awards also handed out immediately following all of the presentations.
Cox Business and Jones Walker have also each put up $2,500 for a $5,000 total cash prize to whoever has the best pitch, and Cox Business is also giving away an iPad Pro for the crowd favorite.
The Energy Innovators Pitch Challenge is open for anyone to apply. Innovators may visit INNOV8Acadiana.org/energypitch for more details and to apply.