Thrivvy wins first place at $50K Demo Day

Tulane President Michael A. Fitts joins Kimberly Gramm, along with winners, judges and other Demo Day participants. Fitts was on hand to present the top teams with their winnings.

March 17, 2026

A retail intelligence startup from the New Orleans area that helps food and beverage brands better understand how their products compete across retailers took first place at the Tulane Innovation Institute's annual $50K Demo Day pitch competition during New Orleans Entrepreneur Week.

Thrivvy, an AI-powered market intelligence platform designed for consumer packaged goods brands, won $25,000 in award funding at the March 11 event, after pitching alongside nine other startups before an audience of investors, entrepreneurs and supporters at the A.B. Freeman School of Business.

LumaWave, which is developing portable photoacoustic sensing technology for real-time deep-tissue health monitoring, took second place and received $15,000. Tahda Baby, a culturally responsive maternal care navigation platform, earned third place and $10,000. The $500 People's Choice Award went to Meli, an AI-powered estate-planning tool for financial advisors and their clients. The 2026 competition was funded by the Burton D. Morgan Foundation. Tulane President Michael A. Fitts was also in attendance to hand out the checks to the winners.

The top three finishers will also receive legal support from law firm Stone Pigman and will be fast-tracked for investment consideration by 1834 Ventures, with one finalist set to receive an additional $25,000 investment.

Kimberly Gramm, the David and Marion Mussafer Chief Innovation Officer at the Tulane University Innovation Institute, said the competition reflects the university's ongoing focus on strengthening the regional startup pipeline.

"New Orleans has talent and ideas. $50K Demo Day showcases the programming that turns aspiring entrepreneurs' ideas into investable, scalable businesses," Gramm said. "Mentorship from our Green Wave Innovation Network is part of our support formula. When founders commit to that process, you will see entrepreneurial success and traction."