Tulane Innovation Day — a New Orleans Entrepreneur Week highlight will be held on Wednesday, March 26, 2025
The inaugural Tulane Innovation Day will be held on Wednesday, March 26, at the Marshall Family Commons, Goldring/Woldenberg Business Complex on Tulane University's uptown campus. The Tulane Innovation Institute presents the event in partnership with the Taylor Center for Social Innovation and Design Thinking and the A.B. Freeman School of Business. It is part of New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (NOEW), which celebrates innovation, entrepreneurship, and community impact. Tulane Innovation Day is open to all Tulane community members and NOEW participants; admission is free.
The event will showcase an inspiring lineup of speakers, panel discussions, and competitions celebrating innovative ideas and highlighting successful entrepreneurs. Attendees will gain practical advice for starting their ventures and insights into potential investment opportunities within New Orleans startups.
Pictured from left to right, Brett A. Hurt, Andrea Turner Moffitt, Rebekah Gee and Kalen Hall
Keynote Speaker: Fireside Chat with Brett A. Hurt and Tulane President Michael A. Fitts (12:00 pm- 12:30 pm)
The day starts with a keynote from Brett A. Hurt, an influential entrepreneur, investor, and author known for building multiple transformative businesses. As the CEO and co-founder of data.world, a premier data catalog platform designed for the AI era, Brett has enhanced data discovery, governance, and insights for over two million members, including 90% of the Fortune 500, while operating as a Certified B Corporation. His entrepreneurial journey includes co-founding Bazaarvoice, where he led its IPO and growth into a top public SaaS company in social commerce, and Coremetrics, which IBM acquired for approximately $300 million. Additionally, Brett co-owns Hurt Family Investments (HFI), managing a diverse portfolio of startups. As an Aspen Institute Henry Crown Fellow, he authored The Entrepreneur’s Essentials, a free online resource for aspiring innovators, where readers can engage with the content through AI. Brett's remarkable achievements have established him as a leading figure among contemporary entrepreneurs, and Goldman Sachs recently named him one of the Most Exceptional Entrepreneurs of 2022.
Keynote pre-registration benefits: Attendees who pre-register using this link will receive a complimentary lunch.
Tulane Ventures Panel Discussion (12:30 PM to 1:00 PM)
Andrea Turner Moffitt, founder of Future Heights Ventures and a Tulane Ventures Investment Committee member, will moderate a Tulane Ventures panel featuring Kalen Hall from Informuta and Rebekah Gee from Nest Health. Brett Hurt will also participate as a panelist, offering a venture perspective. The discussion will focus on the importance of venture capital in supporting innovation and impactful ventures that create more companies and jobs in our state.
Taylor Changemaker Institute Showcase (1:00 PM – 2:00 PM)
Attendees will engage with the next generation of Tulane changemakers as students from the Taylor Changemaker Institute present their socially and environmentally conscious business ideas. They will seek live feedback from the audience to refine and grow their ventures.
$50K Demo Day Pitch Competition (2:00- 5:00 pm)
The day culminates with the highly anticipated $50K Demo Day Pitch Competition, where aspiring entrepreneurs from Tulane and the New Orleans area will compete for startup funding. The prizes include $25,000 for first Place, $15,000 for second Place, and $10,000 for third Place. A reception and announcement of the winners will follow, providing networking and celebration opportunities. The top ten finalists are listed here. Support our local entrepreneurs, come watch them pitch!
"Supporting New Orleans Entrepreneurship Week is key to building a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem for our region. We are fortunate to have Brett Hurt and Andrea Turner Moffit as speakers at this flagship community event, as they will share invaluable advice on the importance of venture funding for growth,” said Kimberly Gramm, managing director of Tulane Ventures and the David & Marion Mussafer Chief Innovation & Entrepreneurship Officer at the Tulane Innovation Institute.
“In addition, our $50K Demo Day will highlight the significance of non-dilutive funding giving local startups an opportunity to validate their business model, build a prototype, develop the network to raise capital to eventually scale. This event is one way we are showcasing local startups and their potential."
Tulane Innovation Day will showcase the best in entrepreneurship and innovation. It will allow attendees to connect, learn, and engage with the people and ideas shaping our community's future.
For more information or to register, visit innovation.tulane.edu/noew
