Announcing the Winners of the 2026 IDEAcorps MBA Consulting Challenge
The 2026 IDEAcorps MBA Consulting Challenge Final Pitch Competition, a Lead Partner Event of New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (NOEW), brought together top MBA talent from across the country to deliver real-world scale-up strategies for New Orleans startups.
After six weeks of hands-on consulting, 10 MBA teams took the stage on March 10 at Loyola University New Orleans to present their recommendations, competing for $30,000 in prize funding in this reimagined case competition.
🏆 1st Place
Loyola Marymount University × AUTODIVE
For the third consecutive year, Loyola Marymount University claimed first place, this time in partnership with AUTODIVE, an innovative aquaculture technology company. Their winning strategy stood out for its depth, clarity, and actionable path to scale, earning top recognition from the judges.
🥈 Runner-Up
Loyola University New Orleans × ZOKYO
Representing the host institution, Loyola University New Orleans secured a runner-up position alongside ZOKYO, showcasing a strong and well-executed growth strategy for the company.
🥈 Runner-Up
University of Alabama × Sinkco Labs
The University of Alabama team, paired with Sinkco Labs, also earned runner-up honors for their thoughtful and impactful approach to scaling a climate-focused venture.
A National Stage for Local Impact
IDEAcorps continues to demonstrate the power of connecting national MBA talent with New Orleans founders to solve real business challenges. This year’s competition highlighted not only innovative strategies, but also the meaningful collaboration between students and startups working to drive growth across the region.
Thank You to Our Judges
A special thank you to our incredible panel of judges, whose expertise and thoughtful evaluation made this competition possible:
- Damian Clark, Strategic Program Manager, Propeller
- Eric Delgado, Co-Founder, Izinga
- Jane Cooper, Founder, Grand Krewe
- Meaghan McCormack, CEO, St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation
- Jey Miguez, Venture Mechanic
- Olivia Scott, Founder, Omerge Alliance
Looking Ahead
The IDEAcorps MBA Consulting Challenge continues to grow as a premier experiential learning opportunity and a powerful driver of entrepreneurial support in New Orleans. In 2026, the program brought together 10 universities from across the country, expanding its national reach and strengthening its network of MBA talent.
This year, we were proud to welcome DePaul University and Morgan State University to the IDEAcorps cohort, further diversifying the perspectives and expertise supporting New Orleans startups. As the program continues to grow, so does its impact — connecting more students, more founders, and more ideas in meaningful ways.
Applications for the 2027 IDEAcorps program — for both MBA teams and participating companies — will reopen in Fall 2026. Be sure to sign up for our email newsletter to be the first to know when applications launch.
We look forward to building on this momentum in 2027 and continuing to elevate IDEAcorps as a leading model for hands-on MBA consulting and startup collaboration.