Big Easy Ideas

The Gulf South is on the front lines of climate change—facing immense challenges but also unique opportunities for innovation. This session explores how climate-tech and blue-tech startups can thrive in the region, featuring insights from investors, founders, and thought leaders shaping its future. Moderator: Beaux Jones, The Water Institute Panelists: Christy Swann, RCOAST; Alex Kolker, LUMCON; D...

This session explores the vital role of stormwater management in advancing New Orleans’ long-term climate resilience. Moderator Victoria Phipps (JPMorgan Chase) will guide a conversation with experts including Dr. Janell Hills (Interstate Renewable Energy Council), Diane Jones (University of Texas at Arlington), and City of New Orleans leaders Mary Kincaid and Sunae Villavaso. Emceed by Chuck Mors...

Finance New Orleans' Housing Innovation Challenge, sponsored by Elemental Excelerator, & Ballard Spahr LLP, is designed to introduce new construction and climate technologies that will increase the supply of affordable and sustainable housing in New Orleans.  The leaders of both organizations will engage in a fireside chat to announce the challenge and discuss the long-term desired commun...

This panel explores how major corporations, investors, and universities are embracing the creativity of technology startups to harness disruption and expand opportunities in a rapidly changing business environment. Through case studies and strategies, the discussion highlights how startup–corporate partnership models enable companies to stay agile in evolving markets. From strategic investments to...

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 loca...

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 e...

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...

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 Th...

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 Qu...

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 In...

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...

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 Tul...

In order for technologies to make it from the bench to the bedside, they often need to be developed in a university startup. In this panel, we will hear from four scientific innovators who made the leap into the startup world to bring their discoveries from the lab to the market, learn about their journey, and tips to avoid failure before your innovation gets out into the world. This season is bro...

Translational research seeks to bring advances made in the laboratory to patients. This panel looks at not only the "how and why" of scientific discovery, but also "how and who" of product development. Professionals, doctors, and researchers whose scientific discoveries exist on this exciting border between the laboratory and the patient bedside are sure to help you understand...

Welcome to Season 8 of Big Easy Ideas, presented by the Tulane University Innovation Institute! This season focuses on the newest developments in the BioTech sector. In the first episode of this season, you’ll hear a keynote address from Dr. David Weiner, an author & researcher with extensive experience as a Chief Medical Officer as well as a CEO of therapeutics companies. He gives us an overv...

NFTs and other market developments are allowing artists to connect with their fans and customers in new ways. In this conversation moderated by Angelique Roché of Marvel Entertainment, you’ll hear from Erin Frankenheimer of Amazing Radio; visual artist and jazz fest poster designer Terrance Osborne; and Lindsey Roussel of Nieux Society and Sidewalk Side Studio. Speakers: Terrance Osborne, Terrance...

Technology is creating opportunities to bring new levels of immersion to live performance and events. Join Otura Mun of ÌFÉ, who married traditional Cuban hand drumming with modern sampling technology; Everett Woods, co-founder of spatial computing company Rypplzz; and moderator Lou Hill, to hear how they're expanding the live experience. Speakers: Otura Mun, ÌFÉ Everett Woods, Rypplzz Lou Hi...

Episode 3 consists of a panel on how technology is shaping the music industry, as well as music’s place in the film and gaming industries. The panel is moderated by Alana Harris from the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy, and features: Pell, rapper and co-founder of the GLBL WRMNG collective; Jonathan McHugh, veteran music supervisor and chair in Music Industry Studies at Loyola University; Chris...

This conversation from NOEW 2023 delves into some of the ways that new studio technology is changing the practice of making records, including that looming and often-misunderstood behemoth in the room: AI. Join Lovell “U-P” Cooper, music producer and Professor of the Practice of Hip-Hop and R&B at Loyola University; Albert Allenback of SaxKixAve and Tank and the Bangas; and moderator Lou Hill...

The music industry is always being shaped by technological advancements in recording, distribution, and promotion. In Season 7 of Big Easy Ideas, we'll be looking at some recent developments in music tech through the eyes of local creatives. Join Nate Cameron, co-founder of the GLBL WRMNG collective; local rising pop artist LeTrainiump; and moderator Jasmine Brown DeRousselle of GNO Inc., as...

What's the key to large corporations creating and fostering a culture of innovation internally? Tune in to this fascinating discussion, which touches on but is not limited to health tech, to find out. You will hear entrepreneur and executive Leslie Bradshaw moderating a panel with Michael Cross of Entergy’s Keystring Labs; John Landrum of Intralox; and Charlotte Piper of Ochsner Health. Speak...

Conventional wisdom tends to undersell how much startups and legacy companies stand to learn from each other. In this episode (recorded during New Orleans Entrepreneur Week 2021) you’ll hear from Christina Wallace, serial entrepreneur and Senior Lecturer of Entrepreneurial Management at Harvard Business School, on mutual benefit and cooperation between startups and large corporations. She lays out...

Before it was making national headlines, these local, female founders saw the opportunity to leverage technology to transform health and healthcare for the better. In this episode, you’ll hear from three women founders of New Orleans-based health tech startups, about their experiences growing their companies, the particular strengths that women bring to the field, and the gender disparities in att...