For decades, rival football teams the Southern University Jaguars and the Grambling State University Tigers have played in the annual Bayou Classic game. This year, technology and job placement played a major role in the Bayou Classic.
Through a new technology competition created in partnership with Nexus LA, organizers hoped to offer solutions to small businesses impacted by natural disaster. The BizTech Challenge gave students from all six Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in Louisiana the opportunity to compete to create top technology solutions.
“The BizTech Challenge is a terrific opportunity for our students to showcase how their innovative ideas can help improve communities devastated by natural disasters,” said Gov. John Bel Edwards. “It is especially timely as Louisianans work to rebuild after historic floods in March and August of this year. I commend all of Louisiana’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities for their commitment to higher learning and partnering on such a worthwhile effort, one that champions entrepreneurship and employment.”
Sixty eight students across 19 teams participated in the challenge. The winning team was selected by a panel of expert judges, including Chris Read from local software development studio LookFar. The pitches took place following the Bayou Classic Career and College Expo on November 25.
Grambling State University was awarded the $10,000 grand prize during the Bayou Classic at the Mercedez-Benz Superdome. Second place and $6,000 was awarded to Xavier University, and Southern University of New Orleans (SUNO) came in third, taking home $4,000.