How can New Orleans balance economic growth with climate resilience? 

In this panel discussion, industry leaders explore the intersection of sustainability, innovation, and community resilience. Courtney Nicholson (Entergy New Orleans), Michael Hecht (GNO Inc.), Kris Khalil (New Orleans BioInnovation Fund), and Rebecca Conwell (UNO Beach) share insights on how businesses, policymakers, and local initiatives are shaping a more sustainable and prosperous future for the region. 

Tune in for a conversation on the challenges, opportunities, and groundbreaking solutions driving New Orleans’ next chapter.

Louisiana and the Gulf Coast are at the forefront of a historic effort to decarbonize the industrial sector and lead the world in new technology and private partnerships that will help reach the net zero global climate goals by 2050. 

Join this opening fireside chat to talk about the current landscape and opportunities ahead.

This episode showcases the IDEAfuel panel, exploring the barriers BIPOC entrepreneurs face and how The Idea Village’s IDEAfuel program is making strides to overcome them. Supported by the Regions Foundation and other generous donors, IDEAfuel provides non-dilutive capital, mentorship, and unique growth opportunities. The panelists unpack the program’s impact and how it’s shaping a more inclusive ecosystem in Louisiana and beyond.

This episode features Edrizio De La Cruz’s story, titled "From the Barrio to Silicon Valley." 

Known for his grit and vision, Edrizio takes us on his path from the Dominican Republic to launching Arcus, where he overcame countless challenges and carved his path in tech. It's a powerful look at what it means to be a true 'underdog founder'. 

Explore how New Orleans is activating its Climate Plan through the Resilient New Orleans Finance Framework. This panel of public sector leaders dives into key project targets, private sector opportunities, and the long-term vision for a more resilient city.

Speakers:
🔹 Moderator: Holly Horsley, Ballard Spahr
🔹 Damon Burns, Finance NOLA
🔹 Jeff Schwartz, City of NOLA Economic Development
🔹 Greg Nichols, City of NOLA Resilience

Supply chain emissions account for an estimated 5.5 times an organization's direct emissions, making them a critical focus for sustainability efforts. To effectively reduce carbon footprints, organizations must first measure and understand their emissions.

Join Tamra Olin, co-founder and Head of Partnerships at Green Project Tech, and Liz Maxwell, Sr. Director of Strategic Initiatives at The Idea Village, as they explore the complexities of carbon accounting. 

They’ll discuss key types of emissions, best practices for tracking and reducing supply chain emissions, and the pivotal role that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play in global sustainability efforts.

Tune in to learn more about how businesses of all sizes can take meaningful steps toward a lower-carbon future.

This special episode recaps the Statewide Innovation Strategy event, held at The Nieux in New Orleans on October 2, 2024, where industry leaders and policymakers discussed the future of Louisiana’s startup ecosystem and how a statewide innovation strategy could drive the state's economy forward. 

Speakers included Josh Fleig (Louisiana Economic Development), Dino Paternostro (SBIRC), Aimee Quirk (Ochsner Ventures), Hailey Bathurst (SeaAhead), and Representative Matt Willard (Louisiana House of Representatives), who shared insights on government support for innovation, the role of startups in economic growth, and strategies for talent retention. 

Tune in for key takeaways on how Louisiana can foster a thriving innovation community and position itself as a leader in emerging industries.

4o

In the coming decades, resilient Gulf Coast communities will learn to adapt to a radically transformed water-inundated intercostal zone to preserve their rich cultural heritage and way of life. Marine-based floating infrastructure and related ‘Blue’ technologies will replace current infrastructure, services, and residential construction forms. You'll hear from Greg Delaune of the Deep Blue Institute and Elliot Metzger, founder of Talisea. 

Listen to discover how New Orleans can become a global Blue Technology Innovation Ecosystem hub, driving exponential development, deployment, and scaling of the climate technologies that will define this future marine-based Blue Economy.

Big Easy Ideas' final episode of #BioTech is here! And we want to take a moment to thank our partners, Tulane University Innovation Institute, for presenting this season, highlighting the latest advancements and entrepreneurial journeys in BioTech, and showcasing how local innovation can drive global impact.

This final episode features a session on the BioTech revolution and entrepreneurship, recorded during NOEW 2021. You will hear Walter Isaacson, renowned author of Steve Jobs & Elon Musk; Leonard Lauder, American philanthropist; and Dr. Eldora L. Ellison, expert in intellectual property law known for defending patents for groundbreaking technologies like CRISPR gene editing.

Tune in for a compelling discussion on monetizing inventions, protecting intellectual property, and more.

How do investment firms decide who to give their funds to? What is unique about BioTech and healthcare investing, and what does a BioTech startup need to know to raise money? This panel features investment experts who will answer these questions and more, from places like New Orleans and other innovation hubs beyond the East and West Coasts.

This season is brought to you by our partners at the Tulane University Innovation Institute!

The Tulane University Innovation Institute is committed to helping students, faculty, and community innovators develop their ideas, launch startups, and attract the resources to fuel innovation in the Gulf South and strengthen the area's economy. From educational webinars and mentorship, to pitch competitions and funding opportunities, the Tulane Innovation Institute supports entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey.

And they are not just about local impact. They are dedicated to advancing discoveries in the local bio-innovation community, making a broader impact globally by supporting researchers and inventors in navigating the process of developing ideas and bringing new products to market. For more information, please visit the Tulane Innovation Institute’s website at innovation.tulane.edu.

Speakers:

• James Barlia, Vice President, Revolution
• Paul Eisenberg, Venture Partner, Apple Tree Partners
• Aimee Quirk, CEO, Ochsner Ventures