Nexus Technology Cup
Statewide Tech
Competition
June 17-19, 2025
Baton Rouge, LA
Competition Overview
This exciting multi-day event will provide a unique platform for tech innovators statewide, inviting high school and college students, as well as skilled developers, to present their cutting-edge software and hardware projects.
Participants can compete in one of three distinct tracks: high school, college, and an open track that welcomes anyone building innovative technology.
To participate applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Each team must have at least one designated team lead/point of contact
- Projects must be original and developed primarily by the team members.
- Lead point of contact must be able to compete in person on June 18 (hardware) and June 19 (software) in Baton Rouge, LA.
- Participants must agree to the event’s code of conduct and intellectual property policies.
- All teams must submit an application and presentation by respective deadlines.
For questions or additional information regarding the Nexus Technology Cup competition, please contact Na'Tisha Natt at (225) 408-5018 or natisha@nexusla.org.
Info Session Recording
Watch our info session recording via the link below to learn more about the competition.
-
When
June 17-19, 2025
-
Where
Estuary @ The Water Campus
1110 River Rd, Baton Rouge, LA -
Time
Noon - 8:00 PM
Join The Competition
To join the competition, complete the online application to get started.
Deadline is April 30.
Winners will be selected by a panel of experts from the world’s leading tech companies including:
MIT
Microsoft
Amazon
Block
Cadre
A total of $100,000 in cash prizes will be awarded!
Additionally, each winner will receive membership and/or coaching. A cash prize will also be presented for the Most Innovative product.
Interested in Participating?
Take the next step by attending an Info Session to learn more or by completing an Application by April 30th.
| Track | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | $10,000 | $7,500 | $5,000 |
| College | $7,500 | $5,000 | $2,500 |
| High School | $5,000 | $2,500 | $1,000 |
| Track | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | $10,000 | $7,500 | $5,000 |
| College | $7,500 | $5,000 | $2,500 |
| High School | $5,000 | $2,500 | $1,000 |
Terms & Conditions: Team members will split the cash prize equally. Anyone receiving a cash prize must have a signed I9 on file.
Interested in Participating?
Take the next step by attending an Info Session to learn more or by completing an Application by April 30th.
Competitor Benefits
As a participant of the Nexus Technology Cup Competition you will receive the following:
Recorded Demo Video
Video Story / Interview
Professional Headshot & Photos
Professional Headshot & Photos
Automatic Program Admission
Automatic Program Admission
Press Release Mentions
Access to Office Space
Track-Specific Eligibility
The inclusive format aims to bring together diverse talent and ideas, fostering an environment of creativity and collaboration. Participants can choose to compete in one of three distinct tracks: high school, college, and an open track that welcomes anyone with a passion for building cutting-edge technology. Applicants must submit original projects primarily developed by team members and be prepared to compete in person on June 18 (for hardware) and June 19 (for software). Deadline to apply is April 30, 2025.
High School Track
- Open to students enrolled in public or private Louisiana high schools (grades 9-12). Home schooled students are welcome to participate.
- Projects must demonstrate technical innovation in hardware or software.
- All projects must be student-led (teachers or external professionals may advise but not contribute).
- Applicants with faculty sponsorship will receive priority consideration.
College Track
- Open to students currently enrolled in a Louisiana college, university, or technical school (undergraduate or graduate).
- Teams may be interdisciplinary, including students from different majors (e.g., computer science, engineering, business).
- Projects should focus on solving real-world problems and have potential for scalability and commercialization.
- Must use a school email address ending in .edu to apply.
- Applicants with faculty sponsorship will receive priority consideration.
Open Track
- Open to Louisiana-based entrepreneurs, early-stage startups, and independent developers.
- Teams may include professionals, hobbyists, and industry enthusiasts.
- Projects must be in the prototype stage or beyond (no conceptual-only ideas).
- Preference will be given to projects with clear feasibility, impact, and market potential.
Important Notice About Faculty Advisors: Applicants with faculty sponsorship will receive priority consideration. The team faculty advisor must be a current teacher/professor at the same college/university as the sponsored team(s). Faculty advisors should serve as a guide and manage the student team throughout the competition process. Faculty advisors may sponsor more than one student team. Faculty advisors are only for the High School and College Tracks.
Meet Our Judges
Angie Jones
Global Vice President of Developer Relations
New Orleans
Ryan Merket
Entrepreneur & Angel Investor
Austin
Jason Varghese
Tech Leader + Cloud/Apps Architect
New York City
Karl Reid
Author, Educator & Executive Director
Boston