Baton Rouge is set to host some of the nation’s top technology leaders this month as the city plays host to the inaugural Nexus Technology Cup, a statewide competition showcasing Louisiana’s emerging tech talent. The event, taking place June 17-19 at The Water Campus, will feature 21 finalist teams competing for $100,000 in cash prizes.
The competition has attracted a prestigious lineup of judges from global tech companies and institutions. They include Karl Reid, former vice president at MIT and executive at Northeastern University and the National Society of Black Engineers; Angie Jones, global vice president of developer relations at Block Inc.; Jason Varghese, tech leader and Cloud/Apps architect for Amazon; Dianna Liu, founder and president of ARIX Technologies Inc.; and Padma Vatsavai, founder and CEO of Vinformatix, a Baton Rouge-based software firm.
According to Nexus Louisiana President and CEO Tony Zanders, attracting national industry experts was crucial for the inaugural event. “We wanted the experience for our finalists to be impactful both personally and professionally,” Zanders said. “To do so, we recruited a panel of judges that reflected the diversity of our finalists. While growing as an entrepreneur is important, seeing people you can relate to who have done it is even more important.”
The competition has narrowed down 74 initial applications to 21 finalists, with university and high school teams set to present on June 18. These include groups from LSU, Grambling State, and Baton Rouge Magnet High. On June 19, tech entrepreneurs from across Louisiana will demo their products, culminating in the announcement of the Most Innovative Award.
The event highlights Louisiana’s growing tech ecosystem and its ability to attract both talent and industry recognition. With a diverse range of participants and judges, the Nexus Technology Cup is poised to make a significant impact on the state’s tech landscape.
