INNOV8 Acadiana, the showcase of creativity and innovation in Lafayette, is gearing up for Summit 2015, a major technology and entrepreneurship event November 12-14 that will have over 30 sessions and 20 speakers.
“The Big Weekend” at INNOV8 Acadiana is next weekend, November 12-14 in Lafayette.
The organization bridges the gap between entrepreneurs, business leaders, investors, mentors, professional service companies, speakers, educators, and just about anyone else interested in growing personally or professionally in the business community.
Highlights include award ceremonies, a job fair, CajunCodeFest, and the Delta Challenge Pitch. Other sessions include topics such as crowdfunding, product development, angel investment, innovations in education and much more.
“Technology across all business sectors is emerging as the fourth pillar of Lafayette’s economic base,” explains organizers. The INNOV8 Technology Career Fair will connect job seekers with companies looking to fill a range of technology positions.
INNOV8 changed its typical formatting this time around to host events throughout the year leading up to next weekend, rather than schedule most events during the week of International Festival in the spring like years past.
On October 29, INNOV8 hosted a shark tank style pitch event for ten energy entrepreneurs. Energy Innovators Pitch Challenge was held in partnership with Louisiana Gulf Coast Oil Exposition (LAGCOE) and The Opportunity Machine, which awarded $25,000 in marketing and legal services to Flange Cuff LLC, a product with the potential to save oil and gas producers millions by, “not forcing them to shut in a platform to change the nuts and bolts on four-bolt flanges,” according to Billy Gunn with The Advocate.
All finalists are invited to pitch again on November 14 at the Summit as part of the Delta Regional Authority pitch competition. Three winners at the summit will get an all-expense-paid trip to the Idea Village’s New Orleans Entrepreneur Week, to be held March 11-18.
Each year, CajunCodeFest focuses on a different health care theme that widely affects the population. This year’s selected is diabetes. This year the event expanded into a multi-stage challenge, with opening ceremonies next week where teams will be selected to work towards the final round in April.
For more information about scheduled events, visit innov8acadiana.org/.