Loyola University Awarded Funds to LaunchU Winners

Four student entrepreneurs received a combined $50,000 in funding at the New Orleans university competition.

Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Scholarships

Loyola University Awarded Funds to LaunchU Winners

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Loyola University recently concluded its annual LaunchU competition in New Orleans, distributing $50,000 to four student entrepreneurs. Eight finalists pitched their business ventures to a panel of judges to compete for the funding.

Why it matters

The competition supports student-led business ventures by providing necessary capital to help young entrepreneurs grow their startups. These grants enable students to translate academic work into operational business models.

Makiah Bonette received a combined $22,500, including the Gauthier Award, while Savannah Hanson, Maximillian Hemperly, and Mia Javadpour received $15,000, $9,000, and $2,500 respectively.

The players

Loyola University

This New Orleans-based private Jesuit university hosts annual entrepreneurship competitions to support student innovation.

Savannah Hanson

She is the founder of Savvy Socials and a winner of the university competition.

Makiah Bonette

She is the founder of Kiah's Coffee and the recipient of both a standard grant and the Gauthier Award.

Maximillian Hemperly

He is the founder of Uptown Vending and plans to use his prize money to increase his company's footprint.

Mia Javadpour

She is the founder of Future Pathways and a recipient of funding from the LaunchU competition.

The details

Finalists presented their business concepts to a panel of judges during the event at Loyola University. Among the recipients, Maximillian Hemperly intends to utilize the funding to expand his Uptown Vending business into new locations.

Applications for the next LaunchU cohort opened on September 10, 2026.

Culture Shift

This competition reflects a broader move toward university-led incubator programs that prioritize student venture creation. Such initiatives mark a shift from traditional academic silos toward a culture of direct investment in young entrepreneurship.

Students interested in launching their own businesses can apply to the next cohort to secure potential seed funding and mentorship. Participants must be prepared to refine their business pitches to compete for available awards in future cycles.

The takeaway

Student entrepreneurs should utilize institutional resources and pitch competitions to secure early-stage capital. Developing a clear growth plan is essential for winning funds that can scale a business from a concept to a sustainable local operation.