Wolf Pack LaunchU 2026 Final Pitch Competition
Wolf Pack LaunchU 2026 Final Pitch Competition Presented by Dr. Bobby and Lori Kent Savoie
After a summer of intensive bootcamps and hands-on mentorship, 8 finalists are taking the stage.
The Wolf Pack LaunchU Final Pitch Competition is the culmination of four months of real work by Loyola University New Orleans founders — students, alumni, faculty, and staff who committed to building something from the ground up. This year's cohort began with 15 ambitious ventures. Following First Round Pitches, 8 finalists were selected to take the stage on September 10.
Those 8 finalists will pitch their ventures to a panel of judges for a share of nearly $50,000 in funding and support, including the Michelle Gauthier Award for Emerging Food Entrepreneurs.
Meet the 2026 Top 8 Finalists:
Clarity (Joshua Emery ’22) – An AI platform using smart assistants to replace expensive meetings, keep teams aligned, prevent project failures, and protect the bottom line.
Crescent Compass (Jake Azzano ’26) – Helping small businesses grow by turning real insights into clear, actionable marketing and PR strategies.
Future Pathways (Mia Javadpour ’29) – A nonprofit advising program equipping high school students—especially from underserved communities—to navigate college and career paths with confidence.
Kiah's Coffee (Makiah Bonnette ’27) – A community-first coffee space creating a genuinely welcoming environment where people can relax, stay, and connect.
Savvy Socials (Savannah Hanson ’27) – A wedding content creation service delivering high-volume, candid photo and video content within 24–48 hours.
The Executive Room (Candice Wright ’23) – Helping founders and operators build businesses with clarity, systems, and intention, starting with inward reflection.
Uptown Vending (Max Hemperley ’24) – A modern vending company providing convenient snack and beverage options through smart machines.
YourScholar.AI (Faculty Raza Mustafa) – Empowering academic research through intelligent search and professor insights to close the gap between students and expertise.
🚪 Doors open at 5:00 PM
🎤 Pitches begin at 5:30 PM
Enjoy a cocktail reception when the doors open at 5:00 PM — then stay for the pitches and awards presentation as we find out who takes home the top prize.
🔗 Learn more about the finalists, their mentors, and our final pitch judges in our blog post.
This event is free and open to the public. All are welcome.