Meet the 2026 Wolf Pack LaunchU Top 8 Finalists
Eight Loyola entrepreneurs are advancing to the Final Pitch Competition on September 10, where they'll compete for nearly $50,000 in funding and support.
Since May, 15 ambitious teams have been developing their ventures as part of this year’s Wolf Pack LaunchU cohort, presented by Dr. Bobby and Lori Kent Savoie. After Bootcamp, a summer of mentorship, customer discovery, and venture development, founders submitted their First Round Pitches on Friday, August 21.
They've built. They've launched. And now, eight ventures are moving on to pitch.
After careful review by our panel of judges, we're thrilled to introduce the 2026 Wolf Pack LaunchU Top 8 Finalists!
Meet the 2026 Top 8 Finalists
Clarity (founded by Joshua Emery ‘22; mentored by Rick Mekdessie): An AI platform that uses smart assistants to replace expensive meetings, keep teams aligned on their own time, prevent project failures, and protect the bottom line.
Crescent Compass (founded by Jake Azzano ‘26; mentored by Brian Danos): Helping small businesses grow by turning real insights into clear, actionable marketing and PR strategies — built by a Loyola student with New Orleans roots at the center.
Future Pathways (founded by Mia Javadpour ‘29; mentored by Matt Glazer): A nonprofit advising program equipping high school students — especially those from underserved communities — with the guidance and resources to navigate college and career pathways with confidence.
Kiah's Coffee (founded by Makiah Bonnette ’27; mentored by Trent Dang): A coffee space that creates a genuinely welcoming environment where people can relax, stay, and connect — without being rushed. Community first, coffee second.
Savvy Socials (founded by Savannah Hanson ‘27; mentored by Marigny de Mauriac): A wedding content creation service that captures and delivers high-volume, candid photo and video content within 24–48 hours — so couples can access and relive their full wedding experience, fast.
The Executive Room (founded by Candice Wright ‘23; mentored by Matt Glazer): Turning inward reflection into outward results — helping founders and operators build businesses with clarity, systems, and intention, starting with the most important aspect of their work: themselves.
Uptown Vending (founded by Max Hemperley ‘24; mentored by Denise (Denny) Bro): A modern vending company providing convenient snack and beverage options through smart machines — reimagining what it means to grab something on the go.
YourScholar.AI (founded by Raza Mustafa, Faculty; mentored by Andreas Pashos): Empowering academic research through intelligent search and professor insights — a platform built to close the gap between students and the expertise that can move their work forward.
The Final Stage: September 10
These eight teams will pitch live for their share of nearly $50,000 in funding and support, including the newly expanded Michelle Gauthier Award for Emerging Food Entrepreneurs.
- Date: Thursday, September 10
- 5:00 PM: Doors open + reception
- 5:30 PM: Final pitches begin
- Location: 114 Miller Hall, College of Business, Loyola University New Orleans
Meet the Final Pitch Judges
Our Top 8 finalists will take the stage on September 10 before a distinguished panel of judges from Loyola and the Greater New Orleans entrepreneurial community:
- Dr. Adam Mills, Ph.D. (Associate Dean, College of Business)
- Dr. Mazhar Islam, Ph.D. (Faculty Director, Center for Entrepreneurship and Community Development)
- Cherie Gauthier (Aluma, Loyola University New Orleans)
- Andrew Albert, '14 (Programs Director, The Idea Village)
- Madeline Trudeau Kawanaka (Director, Innovation Programs, Louisiana Innovation)