Tulane Innovation Institute Webinars
Tulane Innovation Institute expert guests discuss concepts ranging from startup marketing, business legal structure, IP protection, and fundraising. Free and open to everyone, these educational sessions provide an excellent opportunity to meet with individuals from Tulane and New Orleans who share an interest in innovation.
 

Explore whether venture funding is the right fit for your business.

Evan Nicoll and Patrick Hernandez, Managing Partners of 1834 Ventures, bring real-world experience in venture capital and entrepreneurship to the upcoming Venture Funding Basics webinar. Prior to 1834 Ventures, Evan started GWave Holdings, an angel syndicate supporting Tulane-founded startups with over $1.2M in early-stage investments. He’s led efforts from sourcing to due diligence and also teaches entrepreneurship at Tulane. Patrick most recently led the capital access vertical at Propeller, managing SSBCI-backed equity and debt funds and supporting entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses. His background includes private equity at Allianz Capital Partners and co-founding a CPG company with national reach. Both serve on prominent local boards and have been recognized for their leadership. Together, they offer grounded, hands-on insights into venture investing, startup growth, and navigating the capital landscape.

Learn how and when to apply for Tulane Ventures funding and access SSBCI resources, with practical tips from industry experts.

Marco Melero is a Venture Capital Analyst at the Tulane University Innovation Institute, where he supports Tulane Ventures—a $10M seed fund investing in tech-enabled startups across health, energy, and AI/data sectors in New Orleans. In this role, he helps manage deal flow, due diligence, and portfolio support for early-stage companies. Marco also plays a key role in venture programming at the university business school.

Prior to joining Tulane, Marco worked in economic development at the New Orleans Business Alliance. He led research and business development initiatives across sectors including biosciences, retail, and small business growth. His work ranged from managing a $70M tax increment financing district to supporting a $1.4M federal grant for bioscience infrastructure.

Marco is a graduate of Tulane University with a degree in economics and is committed to advancing economic development in New Orleans.

Learn the essential types of insurance every startup needs. Avoid common mistakes and protect your company as you grow.

Join insurance expert Michael Palmer as he breaks down the essential insurance policies every startup should consider. From general liability to cybersecurity and employee coverage, this webinar will help founders understand how to protect their ventures, avoid costly mistakes, and build a resilient business foundation.
 

Learn how to effectively access and use market research databases from the Tulane library to gain a deeper understanding of your industry and its competitors—hosted by Tim Coady, Librarian, A.B Freeman School of Business. 

Gain practical strategies for gathering, organizing, and using customer data to drive growth.
 

Learn the art of Customer Discovery with Tulane Innovation Institute staff members and get real-time feedback on how to build a customer-centered venture.