Twenty teams from across Louisiana set to showcase innovative technology in front of leading tech companies.
BATON ROUGE, La. — The 2025 Nexus Technology Cup, a premier statewide competition designed to spotlight Louisiana’s innovation and entrepreneurial talent, begins today. Over the course of three days, this event will serve as a launchpad for the state's brightest minds—bringing together college students and independent developers to showcase groundbreaking software and hardware solutions that are shaping the future.
This year, more than $100,000 in cash prizes is up for grabs, including a special award for the Most Innovative. Winners will also receive personalized coaching and exclusive membership opportunities to accelerate their ventures and broaden their impact. The TecCup features a vibrant and diverse group of innovators, representing top universities and startups from a dozen parishes across Louisiana.
The College Track finalists include teams led by standout students from institutions such as Louisiana State University and the University of Louisiana system:
Aeero
David Nintang
Grambling State University
APNE
Mehrasa Amiri Besheli
Louisiana State University
Autism Speaks AI
Anjan Mandal, Pradeep Poudel and Roshani Pathak
University of Louisiana at Monroe
DonorSync
Rochak Shrestha, Baibhav Acharya, Cecil Pradhan and Nobel Timshina
University of Louisiana at Monroe
Dristi
Divya Shah and Unika Bista
University of Louisiana at Monroe
FarmSmarter.ai
Grant Muslow, Colin Raby, Cole Lacombe and Julius Pallotta Louisiana State University
RespirAPPtion
Hritika Pandey and Colin E. Dupuis
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
David Nintang
Grambling State University
APNE
Mehrasa Amiri Besheli
Louisiana State University
Autism Speaks AI
Anjan Mandal, Pradeep Poudel and Roshani Pathak
University of Louisiana at Monroe
DonorSync
Rochak Shrestha, Baibhav Acharya, Cecil Pradhan and Nobel Timshina
University of Louisiana at Monroe
Dristi
Divya Shah and Unika Bista
University of Louisiana at Monroe
FarmSmarter.ai
Grant Muslow, Colin Raby, Cole Lacombe and Julius Pallotta Louisiana State University
RespirAPPtion
Hritika Pandey and Colin E. Dupuis
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Rhyme AI
Dinesh Chhantyal and Abhishek Amgain
University of Louisiana at Monroe
Solara
Johny Lopez
University of New Orleans
Dinesh Chhantyal and Abhishek Amgain
University of Louisiana at Monroe
Solara
Johny Lopez
University of New Orleans
The Open Track finalists include emerging startups and visionary founders across various industries:
Build-A-Way, Inc.
Ashton Hilliard and Josh Bartholomew
New Orleans
Ashton Hilliard and Josh Bartholomew
New Orleans
Cinelevels
Teddy Smith and Stephen Acheson
Baton Rouge
Teddy Smith and Stephen Acheson
Baton Rouge
DarQ Security
Joseph Khoury, Dr. Elias Bou-Harb, Kauai Mansur, Bassel Succar and Bharath Kollanur
Baton Rouge
Joseph Khoury, Dr. Elias Bou-Harb, Kauai Mansur, Bassel Succar and Bharath Kollanur
Baton Rouge
Encore CO2
Jordan Losavio, William McGehee, Dr. John Flake and Monsuru Dauda
Baton Rouge
Jordan Losavio, William McGehee, Dr. John Flake and Monsuru Dauda
Baton Rouge
Flange Aligner
Ricardo Porter and Eddrin Williams
LaPlace
Jammaround, Inc.
Donovan Williams, Brent Craige and Marlon Butler
New Orleans
MilestoneMate
Shay Claiborne
New Orleans
QueryLake
Kyle McCleary
Baton Rouge
Trendsic Corporation, Inc.
Jelani Clark, Warner King, Michael Rougeau and Caryn Clay
Baton Rouge
Ricardo Porter and Eddrin Williams
LaPlace
Jammaround, Inc.
Donovan Williams, Brent Craige and Marlon Butler
New Orleans
MilestoneMate
Shay Claiborne
New Orleans
QueryLake
Kyle McCleary
Baton Rouge
Trendsic Corporation, Inc.
Jelani Clark, Warner King, Michael Rougeau and Caryn Clay
Baton Rouge
Unknown Cyber, Inc.
Arun Lakhotia, James Hess, Lee Hubbard, Chris Thibodeaux and Evan Vamperine
Lafayette
Arun Lakhotia, James Hess, Lee Hubbard, Chris Thibodeaux and Evan Vamperine
Lafayette
Zepity
Randall Nachman and Zeeshan Zafar
Baton Rouge
Randall Nachman and Zeeshan Zafar
Baton Rouge
Students from Baton Rouge Magnet High School (Hexlio - Benjamin Namikas) and West Monroe High School (POSEIDON - Ren Hopkins, Aiden Bass and Brady Afeman will demo their projects also.
The event, hosted by Nexus Louisiana, offers an unparalleled platform for innovators to demo their projects before a panel of industry leaders, technologists, and investors. From June 17 to 19, at The Estuary at the Water Campus in Baton Rouge, participants will have the opportunity to compete and engage.
Nexus Louisiana President and CEO Tony Zanders emphasizes the importance of this event. "Louisiana is home to some of the most talented and innovative minds in the country," said Zanders. "Our institutions continue to produce remarkable talent with the drive to shape what’s next, and the Nexus Technology Cup is a showcase for that brilliance. It’s more than a competition—it’s a celebration of Louisiana’s ability to lead in the future of technology and entrepreneurship."
The lineup of judges for the inaugural Technology Cup includes industry leaders from the world's leading tech companies including Amazon, Block and MIT. Ryan Williams, founder of pioneer fintech company, Cadre is slated to judge the event and serve as a featured speaker.
For additional questions or information about the Nexus Technology Cup, please contact Na’Tisha Natt at (225) 408-5018 or natisha@nexusla.org.
For additional questions or information about the Nexus Technology Cup, please contact Na’Tisha Natt at (225) 408-5018 or natisha@nexusla.org.
About Nexus Louisiana
Created by the Louisiana Legislature, Nexus Louisiana operates as a nonprofit dedicated to fostering high-tech entrepreneurship and innovation. In partnership with Louisiana State University, Southern University, and local economic development organizations, Nexus supports the growth of Louisiana’s innovation economy through programs, resources, and events that empower emerging tech leaders.
Created by the Louisiana Legislature, Nexus Louisiana operates as a nonprofit dedicated to fostering high-tech entrepreneurship and innovation. In partnership with Louisiana State University, Southern University, and local economic development organizations, Nexus supports the growth of Louisiana’s innovation economy through programs, resources, and events that empower emerging tech leaders.