SHREVEPORT, La. — Startup Prize is expanding its innovation platform with the launch of Startup Prize: Energy, drawing entrepreneurs from across the United States and abroad to participate in its inaugural event.
The new program follows a record-setting Startup Prize: Health competition that brought 47 companies from 17 states to Shreveport. The energy-focused initiative, developed in partnership with Louisiana Innovation and the Future Use of Energy in Louisiana, will feature 24 companies from 11 states and one international entrant from Switzerland.
Startup Prize: Energy includes two tracks, Fuels and Electricity, and brings together entrepreneurs, mentors and investors for a conference-style event focused on advancing energy innovation.
“Startup Prize: Health has become a focal point for health innovators from all over the country, and we are aiming to have the same success for Startup Prize: Energy,” said Gregory Kallenberg, founder of Startup Prize. “The competition and conference is really intense and involved. We were hoping for 16 startups and, to our surprise and delight, we’ve signed up 24 companies from 11 states and one from Switzerland.”
The program is designed to support startups developing technologies across the energy value chain, including electricity generation, battery storage, grid infrastructure, oil and gas extraction, hydrogen and alternative fuels.
Organizers said the combined efforts of Startup Prize: Health and Startup Prize: Energy are helping position Louisiana as a hub for innovation by connecting national and local startups with mentors, resources and potential investment opportunities.
“We’re incredibly excited about what Startup Prize is doing to attract innovators to our state, and we’re incredibly excited about the potential investments we will be presenting to our investor judges at the end of our process,” Kallenberg said. “Our goal is to activate and elevate innovation, and to connect our entrepreneurs with investment dollars and a possible home to grow their businesses in.”
Finalists for both programs are expected to be announced in July, with selected companies advancing to final events in August. At those events, participants will present their business concepts to investor judges and undergo evaluation on feasibility and market potential.
Winners in each track will receive a $10,000 cash prize. Organizers said the broader opportunity lies in potential investment from participating judges, who may choose to fund companies regardless of competition outcomes.
Startup Prize, founded in 2014 and based in Shreveport, operates as an early-stage innovation platform connecting entrepreneurs with mentors, investors and ecosystem partners. The program is part of the Prize Foundation, a Louisiana-based nonprofit organization.
Louisiana Innovation, a division of Louisiana Economic Development, focuses on strengthening key industries through technology-driven startups and capital access initiatives. The Future Use of Energy in Louisiana initiative works with industry, academic and government partners to advance carbon technology and energy innovation across the state.