LAFAYETTE, La. — LAGCOE, one of the industry’s largest free Oil and Gas exposition will be held Oct. 24 – 26, 2017 at the Cajun Dome and Convention Center. LAGCOE and INNOV8 Acadiana will host the Energy Innovators Pitch Challenge – a “Shark Tank Style” pitch competition that will be held on October 26 at 10 AM on the second floor of the Cajun Dome Convention Center. The pitch challenge connects emerging energy innovators with Investors ready to move their business ideas forward.
“We are excited to continue great programming this year including our partnership with INNOV8 Acadiana to find and help launch emerging energy innovations,” said Angela Cring, LAGCOE executive director. “These three days will be full of great speakers and events that will appeal to a wide audience. The Energy Pitch Competition always draws a full room of people and is exciting to watch.”
This year, eight high powered energy companies will showcase their businesses in the award winning Energy Innovators Pitch Tent, booth ROS29. All attendees to LAGCOE are invited to meet the teams and then cast a vote for their one Crowd Favorite.
Each of the eight teams will formally pitch their businesses Thursday morning, hoping to find equity partners and win the $5,000 first place cash prize as chosen by a panel of three Acadiana Angel judges. Acadiana Angels and Jones Walker Law Firm will present the check at the end of the competition to the lucky winner. The winning company will also be asked to privately pitch to the Acadiana Angels where last year’s 2016 winner, Gordon Technologies, received funding from the group. The Crowd Favorite winner will be also be voted on and announced at the end of the pitch competition, receiving an Apple iPAD sponsored by Cox Business.
The eight companies competing in the 2017 Energy Pitch Challenge are:
“Members of Acadiana Angels, a group of accredited Investors from South Louisiana, and our partners around the state are eager to invest in new energy-related innovations right now,” said Alan Hebert, Acadiana Angels Director. “Whether you are a start-up or a thriving business with room for growth, now is the time to connect with our investment teams and move your innovations forward. We look forward to meeting all eight teams this year. Each one looks very impressive.”