The Lepage Center Student Venture Incubator is a place for students to develop their ideas while providing the tools and resources required to start a venture. Students in the incubator participate in Spark Hours and have access to Innovators-in-Residence and pro-bono legal services. Any students interested in becoming part of the Student Venture Incubator should contact Timekia Mallery.
Spark Hours
Spark Hours are sessions where students can work on new ideas in an individual or group setting and to connect with other startups on campus. During Spark Hours, students get peer-to-peer help with their ventures from Lepage Student Fellows, allowing students at the beginning stage of their startup to develop their ideas and to work on the company’s Business Model Canvas. These scheduled hours also provide the opportunity for students to engage with mentors and other professionals. Spark Hours hosts guest mentors, workshops, roundtable discussions and group meetup sessions. for student to connect with other startups on campus.
Pitch Friday Series
Pitch Friday Series is an excellent opportunity for student startups to pitch their ventures to a panel of judges and receive valuable feedback to incorporate into their ventures. This competition continues to motivate many student startups in the beginning phases to push their ideas to the next level. Pitch Friday series competition is open to all Tulane students across campus, and it helps cultivate the entrepreneurial spirit in students. In addition to valuable feedback on their pitch, the winner from each of the competitions in the series wins a cash prize and a spot in the Grand Prize Round in April.
Mentor Office Hours
Meet with one of our accomplished and knowledgeable Innovators-in-Residence, mentors, entrepreneurs and professionals who can help guide you through your entrepreneurial journey.
Legal Office Hours
Get guidance on the legal needs associated with your startup through legal office hours.
2025-2026 Student Venture Incubator Companies
- Big D's Meats: As a Tulane student who has successfully catered numerous campus events, I recognize the opportunity to address the persistent issues of unreliable and expensive late-night food delivery services that currently plague our campus community.
- BMSE: BMSE's technology enhances cardiac imaging to reveal cellular-level vessel details in real-time, helping doctors make better treatment decisions during procedures.
- Breeze Shuttles: Breeze Shuttles is a student-run, eco-friendly transportation service providing safe, convenient, and completely free rides for both students and local residents in New Orleans
- Exactics: Exactics develops rapid diagnostic tests for infectious diseases, showcased by their 15-minute QuickLyme test and multiplex malaria testing program in Nigeria.
- Macho Protein: Macho Protein's revolutionary marinara sauce, containing 16 grams of protein per serving and free from harmful additives, is setting a new industry standard for healthy pre-made foods, with plans to expand into other protein-infused sauces and condiments.
- Motive8: Motive8 is a goal-tracking and self-improvement app designed to help users achieve their personal objectives through gamification, adaptive coaching, and AI-driven insights.
- Nola Sip & Snack: NOLA Sip & Snack delivers curated New Orleans-themed snack and drink bundles, featuring local favorites like beignets and pralines, with late-night delivery for students and tourists.
- Sparky: Sparky combines an LED-equipped piano key overlay mat with a note-detection app to guide students through playing songs without requiring them to read traditional sheet music.
- WaveRC: A platform that empowers RC plane enthusiasts to easily design, visualize, and manufacture personalized models using a user-friendly 3D design tool.
- Exactics: Exactics develops rapid diagnostic tests for infectious diseases, showcased by their 15-minute QuickLyme test and multiplex malaria testing program in Nigeria.
