Baton Rouge, LA - Nexus Louisiana today announced Carbon Horizon, a student team from the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM), as the winner of the DevDays ClimateTech Challenge, held in partnership with Future Use of Energy in Louisiana (FUEL) and Baker Hughes.
The competition recruited 30 students representing 11 finalist teams from ULM, Grambling State University, LSU, and the University of New Orleans to tackle one of Louisiana’s most pressing industry challenges: carbon management.
Developed by ULM students Cecil Pradhan, Jeevan Parajuli, Sujal Thapa, and Prasanna Kumar Jha, Carbon Horizon is an AI-powered web application that enables companies to manage every stage of their Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) operations. The platform not only centralizes carbon data and automates compliance with evolving environmental regulations but also has the potential to revolutionize the wider market with its use of GPT-4.0 and custom AI models for anomaly detection, operational efficiency enhancement, and data-informed decision-making.
Designed for accessibility and collaboration, Carbon Horizon supports both automated and manual data uploads. It serves as a shared hub that connects companies, universities, and industry partners to exchange research and development insights. Its public transparency dashboard visualizes verified carbon performance data, promoting accountability and trust across the energy sector.
Pradhan, a sophomore studying computer science, admitted the challenge initially felt intimidating.
“It seemed daunting because we didn’t know much about climate tech or carbon capture—we're computer science students,” said Pradhan. “But we took on this challenge, and I’m really proud of myself, my team, and everyone who supported us."
“Carbon Horizon embodies what DevDays was designed to inspire - Louisiana-based technology developed by Louisiana-based engineers,” said Tony Zanders, president and CEO of Nexus Louisiana. “It’s proof that when industry and academia come together, Louisiana can lead the world in solving complex challenges.”
Pradhan, who competed in the Nexus Technology Cup this summer, said the experience sparked his determination to return stronger after falling short of a win. “It lit a fire inside of me,” he said. He compared the competition to sports, describing how it made him “feel like an athlete—not for sports, but for tech.” Participating in DevDays, he added, has strengthened his team’s skills in research, development, and public speaking. “This isn’t just practice,” he said. “It’s a legitimate competition.”
The DevDays ClimateTech Challenge marks the first in a series of statewide innovation competitions designed to connect Louisiana’s top talent with real-world industry problems. The next DevDay, held in partnership with Ochsner Health, will take place on November 14, 2025, and focus on sports medicine, ACL injury prevention, and treatment.
For more information about Nexus Louisiana and upcoming DevDays competitions, visit nexusla.org/devdays.
Media Contact:
Na’Tisha Natt
natisha@nexusla.org
(225) 408-5018
Na’Tisha Natt
natisha@nexusla.org
(225) 408-5018
