Make an energy inovation pitch at LAGCOE

Jul 24, 2015 / News

LAGCOE has always focused on showcasing new technologies in the oil and gas industry. New for LAGCOE 2015 is the Energy Innovators Pitch Challenge — a "Shark Tank”-style pitch competition that will be held on Oct. 29.

The event stems from a collaborative effort between LAGCOE, Innov8 Acadiana and LEDA’s Opportunity Machine. The challenge seeks to connect the best emerging energy innovators with investors ready to move their business ideas forward.

"The Energy Innovators Pitch Challenge allows us to help move new technologies and ideas forward from their earliest stages, which is very exciting,” said Angela Cring, LAGCOE executive director.

All energy-related businesses and ideas are encouraged to participate. Ten selected candidates will be notified the week of Oct. 12 to participate in the "Shark Tank”-style pitch competition on Oct. 29.

"Investors from around the state are motivated to invest in new energy related innovations coming for this exciting event,” said Pete Prados, INNOV8 Acadiana director. "Whether you are a start-up or a thriving business with room for growth, now is the time to launch to the next level of success!”

The selected candidates will be given complimentary table space at LAGCOE’s new Energy Innovators Pitch Tent to showcase their emerging innovation or idea and pitch their ideas one at a time to everyone interested on Oct. 29. Each innovator will be given three minutes to pitch their idea to a panel of investors following a three-minute Q&A in front of a live audience. The best presentation will receive the INNOV8 Award and possible funding for their idea.

"There has never been a better time in the industry than now to launch an energy idea to streamline a process, make something safer or open new doors of commerce,” Prados stated. "No opportunity is too small or large to pitch to investors.”

Prados urges interested businesses and individuals to attend an Innov8 Acadiana meet up, where professionals are present to listen to ideas and offer tips for a successful pitch. Sign up can be found online at INNOV8acadiana.org.

"This area is rich with generational innovators who have made it big in the energy industry. It’s time for the next generation to get their piece of the action and grow something meaningful that creates commerce and builds wealth. Get in on the action and see if you have what it takes to build the next big thing.”

All candidates will be invited to pitch again on Nov. 14 at the INNOV8 Acadiana Technology and Entrepreneurial Summit in Lafayette. Three winners from the November event will be awarded an all-expense-paid trip to New Orleans for Idea Village’s New Orleans Entrepreneur Week, where hundreds of investors will also hear their pitch and are motivated to invest.

Lauren Rabalais is marketing coordinator for Louisiana Gulf Coast Oil Exposition, one of the country’s largest and oldest oil and gas shows held biennially in October at the Cajundome & Convention Center. Register online for the next show which will be held Oct. 27-29, 2015 at lagcoe.com/register.

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