Wolf Pack LaunchU, Presented by Dr. Bobby and Lori Kent Savoie

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What is Wolf Pack LaunchU 2026? More funding, greater opportunity. 

Do you have an idea for a business, an existing early-stage company, or a side hustle that you want to turn into a successful venture? Loyola is inviting you to apply to the FREE Wolf Pack LaunchU startup boot camp, presented by Dr. Bobby and Lori Kent Savoie! Now returning for its fourth year, this incubator program will give you in-depth skills, expanded connections, and a greater opportunity to pitch for your share of $34,000 in non-dilutive seed funding for your idea. That's right! The 2026 edition returns with the additional $4,000 in funding, specifically allocated for food and beverage-based companies. No matter the industry, this program is here to support your entrepreneurial journey!

The Bootcamp is an intensive 5 days in May 2026 and is open to EVERYONE in the Loyola family (students, alumni, faculty, staff, and parents). During the bootcamp you will drill into all aspects of your business, learning from experts in business development, IP protections, financial projections, brand development, marketing for startups, and funding. You and your team will be connected to leading professionals within the alumni and New Orleans business community who will serve as mentors and part of your growing business network. You will continue to develop your business and work with your mentors through the summer.  In the Fall, each participating venture is eligible to compete for a portion of the $34,000 non-dilutive prize funding and ongoing mentor support.

Now in its fifth year, Wolf Pack LaunchU has provided over $129,000 of funding to small businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs from throughout the Loyola University New Orleans community, from current students and faculty to alumni of all ages. 

 

Important Deadlines and Details:

• April 10, 2026: Applications Close
• Late April 2026: Invitations Extended to the participants
• May 11 - 15, 2026: The Bootcamp @ Loyola University New Orleans
• May - August 2026: Bi- Weekly Zoom Meetings and Mentorship
• August 21, 2026: First Round Pitch Competition (asynchronous)
• September 10, 2026: Final Pitch Competition @ Loyola University New Orleans

Schedule

January 28 – April 10, 2026: Application Period

Wolf Pack LaunchU is FREE and non-credit bearing, but you must be selected to participate.

April 2025: Invitations extended to the Bootcamp

While the program is FREE, the participants are responsible for their own travel, accommodations and food expenses. Housing accommodations are available for students living on-campus.

May 11 - 15, 2026: The Bootcamp

This is a 5-day intensive training program equips up to 20 teams of entrepreneurs with strategies for customer and market validation. The hands-on bootcamp includes sessions on intellectual property, business formation, digital marketing, market research analytics, branding, social enterprises, nonprofit formation, prototyping, market and competitor research, fundraising and much more. 

May - August, 2026: The Incubator

Each team, working in their own location throughout the summer, will have a mentor that they work with while they continue to develop their business.  Zoom training and update meetings will be held bi-weekly to support the teams’ ongoing progress and connect them with further opportunities.

August 21, 2026: First Round Competition

On August 25, each team will make a 10-minute pitch through zoom.  Our judges will assess who will go into the final pitch competition, which will be held in person at Loyola New Orleans. 

September 10, 2026: Final Pitch Competition 

Eight to ten semi-finalist teams will pitch their ideas to a live audience at Loyola and through online streaming.  A panel of judges composed of professionals, alumni, investors and faculty will determine the amount awarded to the final winning teams.  All semi-finalists will be invited to participate ongoing in the Loyola Incubator which will include on-site work space, and mentorship. 

Want to learn more about Wolf Pack LaunchU? Reach out!

 

Past LaunchU Winners:

2025:

Katamaran Reptile Ranch - $15,000 - Kat Lee, '27

Breeze Shuttles - $7,000 - Tristan Sariego, '24

Fresh Dripd - Michelle Gauthier Prize for Emerging Food Entrepreneurs $7,000 - Aimee Alleman, MBA '05

Camila & Catherine Co. - $5,000 - Aja Cousin '23

 

2024:

RITUALI - $12,000 - Breanna Kane, '10, MBA '18

Hey Hey Honey - $7,000 - Sean Mulligan, '20, MBA '21

Drunk and Board - $7,000 - Austyn Malynn, '24

Gumbo Film Labs - $4,000 - Hayden Parker '24

 

2023:
Marcel's New Orleans - $10,000 - Ken Faucheux, '04, and Joy Bruce, WLA Cohort 2
DependentCares - $10,000 - Tom Daly, '98
Newrospace - $5,000 - Greg Buisson and Hannah Guihur, '23
HandOffur - $5,000 - Aubin Duchier, '22, MBA '23, Farah Wells, '23, and Gabriel Porges, '23
 

2022:
Port Lookout - $7,500 - Srinee Bajaj, '15
The Safety Pouch - $7,000 - David Price, '23
Beaucoup Beauty - $5,000 - Andreca Johnson, '22
Presson Productions - $4,500 - Jonathan Presson, '25
ceres - $4,000 - Rich Simmerman, '21
The Lovelace - $3,000 - Sal Mannino, Faculty
Ate It First - $2,000 - Andrea Alarcon, '17
SMOse - $2,000 - Aubin Duchier, '22