Tulane Innovation Institute Announces Winners of 2026 Open Season Pitch Competition
“Participating in Tulane Innovation Institute pitch competitions has been one of the most impactful parts of our journey. It has helped us connect with mentors and the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem.”
That’s how Vinoin Devpaul Vincely, PhD, an innovation fellow and a biomedical engineering alum from Tulane University’s School of Science & Engineering, summed up the evening of January 28, 2026, at Oak & Ale. The venue was packed with aspiring entrepreneurs, Tulane and New Orleans community members, interested investors, and volunteer judges. The atmosphere was intentionally welcoming, reflecting Open Season’s purpose: lowering barriers to entrepreneurship and helping more people see what their ideas might become.
Open Season invites Tulane faculty, staff, students, and recent alumni to submit early-stage ideas and present them to the Innovation Institute team in an initial round. A group of finalists then competes for prize money at a public event. Every participant receives guidance and support, regardless of whether they advance. The goal is to give experience with what entrepreneurship can look and feel like, emphasizing that startups often come from personally identified gaps or attempts to address broader societal problems.
