Seven Student Teams Will Compete in NexusLA’s BizTech Challenge During Bayou Classic Weekend
(Baton Rouge, La., Nov. 13, 2023) — Nexus Louisiana is proud to announce that Morris Chestnut, executive producer and host of “Rebuilding Black Wall Street,” will be the keynote speaker at the 2023 BizTech Challenge, a STEM-based pitch competition featuring students who attend Louisiana’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). During the event, Chestnut will share the impact of supporting Black entrepreneurs on building and sustaining Black wealth.
The BizTech Challenge’s seven finalists represent some of Louisiana’s brightest students from HBCUs from across the state. On Friday, Nov. 24, at 11 a.m. in New Orleans, these seven teams will take center stage to pitch their business ideas and compete for cash prizes of up to $20,000.
Meet the finalists:
- Representing Dillard University, Campus Connect is a specialized platform providing a space where undergraduates, graduate students, and Ph.D. candidates from various universities can connect, collaborate and network.
- Representing Southern University Law Center, LegalLit aims to close the access-to-justice gap in America through a chatbot that answers consumers' questions about common legal issues, such as child custody, evictions and collections.
- Representing Grambling State University, SU(D)M Kiosk is a high-tech information hub for educational institutions, providing students, teachers and visitors with an interactive map that hosts information on campus events, classes, and more.
- Representing Southern University at New Orleans, Cookie-Bytes is an app that simplifies vital record storage by securely housing documents like passports, birth certificates, and licenses in one digital location.
- Representing Southern University, Blue Pages is an app connecting college entrepreneurs with students, allowing entrepreneurs to showcase their offerings and students to easily discover and engage with local businesses.
- Representing Southern University, ME Company is a cutting-edge web-based platform that streamlines the creation and sharing of digital business cards and provides insights into users’ engagement with them.
- Representing Xavier University, LegalEase is an app that uses generative AI to answer legal questions and help decipher legal jargon.
Each team will be allotted five minutes to present their business ideas and two minutes for Q&A. The top three teams will receive a total of $20,000, with up to $10,000 going to the first-place winner. The winner will be selected based on innovation, business model and technical achievement.
The BizTech Challenge is presented by Louisiana Economic Development and sponsored by Block Inc., Stone Pigman, and Innovation Catalyst.
For more information or tickets to attend the BizTech Challenge, please visit https://biztechchallenge.com/.
About NexusLA
Nexus Louisiana’s mission is to accelerate the growth of high-potential companies by providing them with coaching, capital and connections. Our programs leverage regional collaboration to foster mentorship, investment and opportunity for local entrepreneurs to grow their ideas and transform the technology industry in Louisiana. For more information, please visit https://nexusla.org.
About Louisiana Economic Development
Louisiana Economic Development is responsible for strengthening the state's business environment and creating a more vibrant Louisiana economy. Its mission is to cultivate jobs and economic opportunity for the people of Louisiana through integrated economic development strategies. With dedicated and knowledgeable professionals committed to Louisiana's economic future, LED strives to help businesses find the resources they need to make relocation and expansion a successful, profitable endeavor. For more information, please visit https://www.opportunitylouisiana.gov.
About Block, Inc.
Block, Inc. (NYSE: SQ) is a global technology company with a focus on financial services, and is made up of Square, Cash App, Spiral, TIDAL, and TBD. In 2020, Block established a $100 million (USD) social impact investment fund in support of minority and underserved communities, driven by the company’s purpose of economic empowerment and its ongoing commitment to racial equality. $10 million has been allocated as an investment in international funds and lenders focusing on underserved communities in Block’s markets outside the U.S. For more information, please visit https://block.xyz/news/impact.
About Stone Pigman
Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann L.L.C. has been a leader in the legal and business communities for over 90 years. From New Orleans and Baton Rouge offices, the firm represents clients ranging from Fortune 50 companies to regional businesses, public entities, startup ventures and families. Its business lawyers assist clients in drafting, negotiating and closing business transactions that are regional and national in scope. The litigation professionals handle matters for clients in state and federal courts throughout Louisiana and the Gulf South.
About Innovation Catalyst
Innovation Catalyst is a nonprofit venture development organization formed by community leaders to strengthen and broaden Louisiana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and drive new high-tech company formation through coaching, connections and capital. For more information, please visit https://innovationcatalyst.us.