Nexus Louisiana has announced the finalists for its inaugural Technology Cup statewide competition.
The event, scheduled for June 17-19 at the Water Campus, invites college students, developers and creative minds to showcase their innovative software and hardware projects.
This year, more than $100,000 in cash prizes is up for grabs, including a special award for the most innovative. Winners will also receive personalized coaching and exclusive membership opportunities to accelerate their ventures and broaden their impact.
The college track finalists include teams led by students from institutions including LSU and the University of Louisiana system. The finalists are:
- Matthew Cooper – Southeastern Louisiana University
- David Nintang – Grambling State University
- Hritika Pandey – UL Lafayette
- Johny Lopez – University of New Orleans
- Anjan Mandal – University of Louisiana Monroe
- Rochak Shrestha – University of Louisiana Monroe
- Divya Shah – University of Louisiana Monroe
- Dinesh Chhantyal – University of Louisiana Monroe
- Emile Aucoin – LSU
- Mehrasa Amiri Besheli – LSU
- Grant Muslow – LSU
The open track finalists include emerging startups and founders across various industries. The finalists are:
- Jordan Losavio – Encore CO2, Baton Rouge
- Ricardo Porter – Flange Aligner, LaPlace
- Teddy Smith – Cinelevel, Baton Rouge
- Ashton Hilliard – Build-A-Way Inc., New Orleans
- Donovan Williams – Jammaround Inc., New Orleans
- Shay Claiborne – MilestoneMate, New Orleans
- Randall Nachman – Novateus, Baton Rouge
- Jelani Clark – Trendsic Corporation Inc., Baton Rouge
- Arun Lakhotia – Unknown Cyber Inc., Lafayette
- Kyle McCleary – QueryLake, Baton Rouge
- Joseph Khoury – DarQ Security, Baton Rouge
“Louisiana is home to some of the most talented and innovative minds in the country,” says Nexus Louisiana President and CEO Tony Zanders. “Our institutions continue to produce remarkable talent with the drive to shape what’s next, and the Nexus Technology Cup is a showcase for that brilliance. It’s more than a competition — it’s a celebration of Louisiana’s ability to lead in the future of technology and entrepreneurship.”
