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. Bigger impact.
Build. Launch. Pitch.
Have a business idea, side hustle, or venture already in motion?
Wolf Pack LaunchU 2026 is Loyola’s FREE summer accelerator designed to help you launch, refine, and grow your venture — with hands-on mentorship, workshops, and the opportunity to pitch for $34,000+ in non-dilutive seed funding.
What You’ll Gain
- 🚀 Turn your idea into a real venture — or scale what you’ve already started
- 🤝 Work alongside experienced mentors and industry professionals
- 🧠 Build skills in strategy, finance, branding, and growth
- 🎤 Pitch your business for $34,000+ in funding
New & Expanded: Michelle Gauthier Emerging Food Entrepreneur Award
🍽️ Building a food or beverage venture? This is your opportunity.
The Michelle Gauthier Emerging Food Entrepreneur Award returns in 2026 with expanded support, recognizing one standout venture at the Final Pitch Competition.
🏆 $19,000+ in funding & support
($4,000 cash award + $15,000 internship funding + 1 year of mentorship)
All eligible food and beverage ventures begin in LaunchU, participate in the first round of pitches, and have the opportunity to advance to the Final Pitch Competition — where one venture will take home this award.
What we’re looking for:
- 🍴 Product innovation
- 📈 Market potential
- ⚙️ Strong execution
- ✨ A compelling brand story
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
Kick off the program with an intensive, in-person, 5-day experience where you’ll dive into:
- Business model development
- Financial projections
- Branding and marketing strategy
- Legal and IP considerations
- Funding and growth strategy
May - August, 2026: The Incubator
Continue building your venture with:
- Ongoing mentorship
- Virtual workshops and check-ins
- Access to Loyola’s entrepreneurial network
August 21, 2026: First Round Competition
On August 21, 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. A panel of judges composed of professionals, alumni, investors, and faculty will determine the amount awarded to the final winning teams.
Who Can Apply
Students • Alumni • Faculty • Staff • Parents
At least one team member must be part of the Loyola community.
Want to learn more about Wolf Pack LaunchU? Reach out!
A Proven Track Record
Now in its fifth year, Wolf Pack LaunchU has awarded over $129,000 in funding to ventures across the Loyola community — supporting founders at every stage, from early ideas to growing businesses.
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