UL Lafayette to Host Energy and Manufacturing Collider with Veteran Entrepreneur Pitch Competition

Event brings together industry, academic, and innovation leaders to drive energy innovation and workforce development in Louisiana

Feb. 4, 2026 at 5:23pm

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The University of Louisiana at Lafayette's Louisiana Entrepreneurship & Economic Development (LEED) Center is co-hosting an Energy and Manufacturing Collider event on February 10, 2026, which will include a Veteran Entrepreneur Pitch Competition. The event is supported by federal, state, and private sector partners and aims to accelerate the movement of energy and manufacturing technologies from the lab to the marketplace, strengthening Louisiana's leadership in these sectors.

Why it matters

This event reflects a shared commitment to advancing energy innovation, commercialization, and workforce development across Louisiana. By bringing together industry leaders, researchers, and entrepreneurs, the organizers hope to create an environment where ideas, experience, capital, and execution can collide to drive real-world impact and ensure Louisiana remains competitive in both traditional and emerging energy sectors.

The details

The Energy & Manufacturing Collider will feature hands-on sessions, targeted matchmaking, and investment-readiness programming to help transform university and lab technologies into viable, scalable businesses. The event will conclude with the FUEL Tank Pitch Competition, which will showcase veteran entrepreneurs and their cutting-edge ideas.

  • The Energy & Manufacturing Collider will take place on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, from 1:00PM – 5:00PM.
  • The FUEL Tank Pitch Competition will be held from 4:00PM – 5:00PM on the same day.

The players

Future Use of Energy in Louisiana (FUEL)

A statewide energy innovation initiative that brings together industry, academia, government, and workforce partners to advance Louisiana's role in the evolving energy economy.

University of Louisiana at Lafayette's Louisiana Entrepreneurship & Economic Development (LEED) Center

A center that serves the entire state of Louisiana, providing technical assistance and support to businesses, economic development agencies, and entrepreneurs.

Chad LaComb

Director of the University of Louisiana's Office of Innovation Management, overseeing technology transfer, intellectual property, research commercialization, and industry partnerships.

Geoffrey T. Stewart

Interim Vice President for Strategic Impact and Economic Development at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and Director of the Louisiana Entrepreneurship & Economic Development Center (LEED).

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What they’re saying

“By bringing together industry leaders, researchers, and entrepreneurs, we are accelerating the movement of ideas from the lab to the marketplace and ensuring Louisiana remains competitive in both traditional and emerging energy sectors.”

— Chad LaComb, Director of the University of Louisiana's Office of Innovation Management

“Veteran entrepreneurs offer exceptional leadership and problem-solving capabilities that elevate the State's innovation ecosystem. This Collider equips them with the connections, tools, and exposure needed to transform cutting-edge ideas into market-ready ventures – strengthening Louisiana's leadership position in energy and manufacturing.”

— Geoffrey T. Stewart, Interim Vice President for Strategic Impact and Economic Development at UL Lafayette

What’s next

The Energy & Manufacturing Collider is a free event, and registration is available at the provided Eventbrite link.

The takeaway

This event demonstrates Louisiana's commitment to fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic development in the energy and manufacturing sectors. By bringing together industry, academia, and veteran entrepreneurs, the organizers aim to accelerate the commercialization of cutting-edge technologies and strengthen the state's position as a leader in the evolving energy landscape.