IDEAinstitute Pitch Night
We’re back for Pitch Night with the Spring 2026 IDEAinstitute Cohort!
Join us on June 18th at The Hangar in New Orleans for one of the Gulf South’s most exciting gatherings for entrepreneurship and innovation.
Looking to discover what’s next in the New Orleans startup ecosystem? Pitch Night brings together founders, investors, academics, business leaders, creatives, and community members for an evening celebrating early-stage excellence and the future of innovation in our region.
Pitch Night is a semiannual showcase featuring select founders from the current IDEAinstitute cohort as they pitch their ventures live before a panel of judges and an in-person and virtual audience. Each founder will have 5 minutes to pitch, followed by a 5-minute Q&A session. Companies will be evaluated on their concept, validation, business model, and market opportunity. The winning company will receive a cash prize to help propel their business forward.
But Pitch Night isn’t only about the pitches.
It’s also a gathering place for the broader startup and innovation community.
Throughout the evening, attendees will also experience the Big Idea Showcase, featuring IDEAinstitute alumni companies displaying their ventures and inviting guests to vote for the most promising idea. The Showcase winner will join the stage for a short fireside chat while judges deliberate.
Whether you’re a founder, investor, student, mentor, entrepreneur, or simply curious about innovation in New Orleans, Pitch Night is an opportunity to experience the energy of the ecosystem all in one room.
Join us at The Hangar to connect with entrepreneurial-minded individuals, engage with business leaders and investors, and celebrate the founders building what’s next.
ATTEND VIRTUALLY: [Livestream link coming soon]
Agenda:
5:30 PM — Doors Open to General Public
6:30 PM — Pitches Begin
8:00 PM — Networking and Happy Hour
Free, non-metered street parking is available on S Rendon St. and the surrounding neighborhood blocks.
IDEAinstitute Pitch Night is an in-person event with livestream viewing available for remote audiences. Register today to receive updates and the event link.
The next IDEAinstitute cohort launches in Fall 2026. Interested founders can complete the Founder Profile Form on our website to be considered for the next round.
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IDEAinstitute is a 12-week, idea-stage accelerator that introduces innovative entrepreneurs and first-time startup founders to the tools they need to turn an idea into a scalable venture. This accelerator runs two times per year, one in spring and one in fall; find more information on our website.
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The Idea Village champions innovation and entrepreneurship in New Orleans and throughout the Gulf South. Since its founding in 2000, The Idea Village has supported over 23,700+ entrepreneurs with mentorship, coaching, and access to capital. Alumni companies have generated more than $2 billion in regional economic impact. A 501c3 non-profit, The Idea Village provides business accelerator programs that guide startups from the idea stage through venture capital rounds. The Idea Village works every day to cultivate a robust startup community and create an inclusive, vibrant, and future-driven economy. www.ideavillage.org