10 MBA Teams. 10 New Orleans Startups. $30,000 on the Line.
The IDEAcorps MBA Consulting Challenge Final Pitch Competition brings together graduate business students from universities across the country to compete in a $30,000 business pitch competition supporting New Orleans startups.
Over six weeks, MBA teams have worked directly with local founders to develop real-world scale-up strategies — and on March 10, you’re invited to watch them present their growth plans live in this reimagined MBA consulting competition.
2026 IDEAcorps Company Lineup
🌊 AI Control Technologies / AUTODIVE
A patented autonomous aquaculture platform transforming oyster and kelp farming through smart automation and carbon-conscious design.
Paired with Loyola Marymount University – Fred Kiesner Center for Entrepreneurship
🧴 BRUH
A fast-growing men’s skincare brand redefining the category with high-performance products and bold, culturally resonant branding.
Paired with Washington University in St. Louis – Olin Business School
🎵 Giigs
A live music booking and payments platform helping venues and musicians streamline scheduling and compensation.
Paired with DePaul University – Kellstadt Graduate School of Business
🧬 HarmonIQ Biosciences
A health-tech startup developing wearable hormone monitoring technology to transform how hormonal health is tracked and managed.
Paired with Auburn University – Harbert College of Business
🚓 InService
A secure, cloud-based software platform modernizing operational workflows for law enforcement agencies.
Paired with Tulane University – Albert Lepage Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
🪸 POH Farms / REEFBUDS®
A carbon-negative artificial reef system designed to restore coastlines, reduce erosion, and strengthen marine ecosystems.
Paired with Louisiana State University – Flores MBA Program
🌱 Sinkco Labs
A climate-tech company reversing coastal erosion by injecting organic carbon into coastlands while generating high-durability carbon removals.
Paired with The University of Alabama – Manderson Graduate School of Business
🚤 Sunfish
An autonomous underwater vehicle company providing inspection and mapping solutions for complex marine infrastructure.
Paired with Southeastern Louisiana University – College of Business
📺 WhosLive
A live-stream discovery platform aggregating content across multiple platforms into one unified viewing hub.
Paired with Morgan State University – Earl G. Graves School of Business and Management
🧻 Zokyo Potty Pal
An innovative automated toilet paper dispenser designed to teach toddlers proper usage while reducing waste and plumbing issues.
Paired with Loyola University New Orleans – College of Business
A Reimagined MBA Case Competition
Unlike traditional case competitions built on hypothetical scenarios, the IDEAcorps MBA Consulting Challenge pairs graduate business students with active New Orleans startups to solve real scaling challenges. As a Lead Partner Event of New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (NOEW) 2026, we invite you to join us on March 10 to see these strategies unveiled live as 10 MBA teams compete for $30,000 and drive meaningful impact across the region’s innovation ecosystem.
📅 Tuesday, March 10, 2026
⏰ 1:30 - 3:30 PM
📍 Miller Hall 114, College of Business
Loyola University New Orleans
6363 St. Charles Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70118