Nexus Louisiana Announces Fall Innovation Programming, Technology Cup Applications, and New Downtown Community Events

BATON ROUGE, La. — Nexus Louisiana today announced its Fall 2026 programming lineup, bringing together entrepreneurs, technical talent, students, educators, investors, and industry leaders through a series of competitions, networking events, and community-building initiatives designed to strengthen Louisiana’s innovation economy.

The season will be highlighted by the return of the Nexus Technology Cup, Louisiana’s premier technology and innovation competition, which will award $150,000 in cash prizes to winning teams. Applications are now open and will remain available through September 30. The competition is open to founders, builders, professors, computer science and engineering students, and high school students from across Louisiana.

The Nexus Technology Cup Finals will take place December 14–16 at Nexus Louisiana’s new downtown Baton Rouge headquarters, bringing together innovators from across the state to showcase technologies and solutions with the potential to create meaningful economic impact.

The Technology Cup is part of Louisiana Economic Development’s Statewide Innovation Event Series, an initiative that directly connects regional entrepreneurship gatherings into a coordinated statewide calendar, helping innovators access new markets, funding opportunities, and strategic connections.

Nexus Louisiana, in partnership with LA.IO, will also bring back its popular Tech Tailgates series this fall, creating opportunities for meaningful connections among innovators, investors, corporate leaders, and ecosystem partners from across the state. Each event will feature a curated theme and audience experience focused on key sectors shaping Louisiana’s future, including startup accelerators, healthcare innovation, energy, and artificial intelligence.

The 2026 Tech Tailgate schedule includes:

• September 5 | LSU vs. Clemson — Startup Accelerators and Angel Investment
• September 26 | LSU vs. Texas A&M — Healthcare Innovation
• October 17 | LSU vs. Mississippi State — Agriculture
• November 7 | LSU vs. Alabama — Energy

"Louisiana's innovation economy grows stronger when talented people have more opportunities to connect, compete, and build together," said LED Chief Innovation Officer Josh Fleig. "Nexus Louisiana has become an important catalyst for entrepreneurs in our state, and we're proud to partner on initiatives like the Technology Cup, Tech Tailgates, and DevDays that help founders, students, and innovators transform ideas into companies. By bringing these programs together, we're creating more pathways for talent, capital, and opportunity to move across Louisiana."

As part of its commitment to developing Louisiana’s next generation of innovators, Nexus Louisiana will also host its final DevDays competition of 2026 on September 24 in partnership with Ochsner Health. The challenge will focus on cancer care and invite college students from across Louisiana to develop innovative solutions that improve patient outcomes and healthcare delivery. Applications for DevDays are due August 23.

The September competition marks the second collaboration between Nexus Louisiana and Ochsner Health. Last year’s challenge focused on adolescent ACL injury prevention and recovery, giving students the opportunity to apply technology and innovation to real-world healthcare challenges.

This fall also marks the launch of new community programming at Nexus Louisiana’s downtown Baton Rouge headquarters. Founder Fridays will take place on the first Friday of each month, providing founders and aspiring entrepreneurs with opportunities to connect, share insights, and build relationships within Louisiana’s growing innovation ecosystem.

Nexus Nights will also debut this fall, bringing together members of the broader innovation community for networking, collaboration, and conversations around entrepreneurship, technology, and economic opportunity.

“The future of Louisiana’s economy will be shaped by the people building new ideas, launching companies, solving complex challenges, and creating opportunities for others,” said Tony Zanders, President and CEO of Nexus Louisiana. “As we move into our new headquarters and expand our programming, we are creating more pathways for talent to connect, collaborate, and contribute to a stronger innovation ecosystem across the state.”

Through strategic partnerships, statewide programming, and community-driven initiatives, Nexus Louisiana continues to create opportunities for innovators at every stage of their journey while strengthening Louisiana’s position as a place where technology and entrepreneurship can thrive.

For more information about upcoming programs, events, and application deadlines, individuals are encouraged to join the Nexus Louisiana mailing list at nexusla.org.

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