VILLAGEx 2026 Demo Day
Demo Day is the grand finale of The Idea Village’s four-month VILLAGEx accelerator, where high-growth startups refine their business models, sharpen their strategies, and prepare to scale. Over the program, founders gain direct access to expert mentorship, critical resources, and investor connections—positioning them for venture-scale growth. Demo Day 2026 offers a first look at the next wave of startups emerging from the Gulf South—an early indicator of the companies beginning to gain traction and momentum within the region’s innovation ecosystem.
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Thursday, April 30, 2026
Time: Doors open at 11:00 AM CST | Pitches begin promptly at 12:00 PM
Location: New Orleans Jazz Market
Address: 1436 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70113
Cost: Free and open to the public
VLLAGEx 2025 COMPANIES
Meet the 2025 VillageX startups
Click the icons to be directed to company websites, or click below the icons to learn more.
+ CAMPUSKNOT
CampusKnot is a SAAS Student Engagement Platform for professors to help them assess lecture dynamics and foster active learning in real-time by taking a wholistic approach and focusing on three core pillars: community, feedback, and rewards.
Rahul Gopal
CEO
rahul@campusknot.com
+ LOUIE LOUIE
Louie Louie is the "Good Time" Cannabis Seltzer from New Orleans. Made with the highest quality ingredients for an award-winning flavor, our balanced dose of 5MG THC + 5MG CBD can be enjoyed any time - without the hangover.
Marie La France
CEO
marie@drinklouielouie.com
+ CUSTOM AI
Custom AI is democratizing and decentralizing access to the production and use of AI agents.
Callan McGuire
CEO
Callan@thecustom.ai
+ OCD SOLUTIONS
OCD Solutions empowers dealerships nationwide with streamlined processes and data-driven insights, elevating the customer ownership experience and driving sustainable growth.
Maxwell Materne
CEO
max@ocdsolutions.io
+ HELLO GRAVEL
Hello Gravel is empowering homeowners, DIYers, and contractors to bulk purchase gravel and other aggregates online.
Daniel Crowley
CEO
daniel@hellogravel.com
+ P3 TECHNOLOGY
P3 Technology is pioneering inclusive market research by connecting individuals with disabilities to businesses, unlocking unique insights that drive innovation and enhance products and services for all.
Tim Cornelius
CEO
timothy@p3technology.io
INTERESTED IN VILLAGEx?
To apply, submit a Founder Profile—applications for VILLAGEx 2027 will be reviewed in October 2026.
Fill out the Founder Profile here.
Questions? Contact Senior Programs Manager Sean Mulligan.
CHECK OUT DEMO DAYS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS
