NOEW 2025: A Transformative Celebration of Innovation in the Gulf South

For the first time, NOEW was co-produced by Loyola University New Orleans’ Center for Entrepreneurship and Community Development (CECD) and long-standing innovation leader The Idea Village. This historic partnership delivered a dynamic, citywide celebration of entrepreneurship that empowered thousands and set the stage for a new era of innovation in the Gulf South.

Held March 24–29, NOEW 2025 drew more than 3,300 attendees across 39 official events at 33 venues throughout New Orleans. The week culminated in the NOEW Summit at Loyola University, which alone featured 63 sessions, 132 speakers, and three live stages, bringing together 1,200 founders, students, investors, and professionals.

More than 90 volunteers, consisting of Loyola University faculty, staff, and students, played a critical role in making the week a success, supporting everything from logistics and hospitality to speaker coordination and audience engagement.

This year’s themes—Start It Here, Scale It Here, (Not So) Artificial Intelligence, and Business of the Future—reflected the city’s growing leadership in climate tech, health innovation, and cultural entrepreneurship. Programming throughout the week highlighted the unique strengths of the Gulf South while inspiring participants to build, grow, and innovate locally and globally.

“Our partnership with Loyola will create even more opportunities for our city’s entrepreneurial community to thrive,” said Jon Atkinson, CEO of The Idea Village. “This collaboration strengthens the natural connection between education and business and lays the groundwork for long-term economic growth in the Gulf South.”

Loyola Highlights from the NOEW Summit

The Summit proudly showcased the very best of Loyola University across multiple sessions and stages:

• The Summit opened on Thursday, March 27, with the keynote session “The Benson Leadership Academy: How Investing in Your People Attracts and Retains Top Talent”, featuring Dr. Michelle Johnston, Clifton Morvant Professor of Business at Loyola and bestselling author of The Seismic Shift, alongside Doug Tatum of the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans. The session was introduced by Dr. Bobby Savoie, Dean of Loyola’s College of Business and MBA Class of ’81.
• Loyola alumnus Eric Delgado ’99 shared his founder journey on the Founders' Stage on Friday, March 28, while Madeline Chizmar ’12, co-founder of Brightspot People, led a workshop on Core Values, highlighting the role of purpose-driven leadership in business success.
• Loyola President Dr. Xavier Cole participated in a panel discussion titled “Universities as Catalysts for Innovation in Louisiana” on the JPMorgan Chase & Co. Stage, joining Josh Fleig (Louisiana Economic Development), Greg Trahan (LSU), and Dr. Tará Burnthorne Lopez (Southeastern Louisiana University) to discuss higher education’s role in regional economic development.
• One of the most highly anticipated sessions of the Summit, “Transforming NOLA’s Hospitality Landscape”, featured Robert LeBlanc ’00, Chair of Loyola’s Board of Trustees, and was moderated by Amy Sins ’98, chef, entrepreneur, and Loyola alumna. The conversation also included hospitality leaders Larry Morrow and Zach Kupperman.
• Loyola’s Career Development Center hosted Crescent City Connections: A Spring Recruitment Event, connecting students with local employers.
• The closing Summit session, “My Black Country: Songs and Stories,” was presented by Loyola’s College of Music and Media, blending entrepreneurship, art, and cultural commentary in a powerful and moving presentation.

Additional Event Highlights:

• Tulane Business Model Competition, awarding $125,000 to student-led ventures.
• Future Energy Experience at The Beach at UNO, with panels and startup showcases.
• 3rd Coast Venture Summit, linking startups with national investors.
• BioSpark and the 101 Women in Business Conference at Xavier University.
• CECD’s IDEAcorps MBA Consulting Challenge, awarding $30,000+ in prizes.

The week also featured NOEW in Your Neighborhood, with over 30 community-led events in 26 locations across the city, bringing entrepreneurship directly into New Orleans communities.

“NOEW opened my eyes to what’s possible,” said one attendee. “I used to think I’d just stay in corporate and retire, but now I’m starting my own venture. The resources and connections I found here were truly life-changing.”

As the CECD continues to build a lasting, inclusive platform for entrepreneurship and innovation, NOEW 2025 stands as a testament to what’s possible when education, community, and startup culture come together with purpose—and passion.

See you in 2026.

For more information, visit www.noew.org or cecd.loyno.edu.