Innovation Catalyst

MasteryPrep is an educational organization based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, specializing in college and career readiness programs. Founded in 2013, it focuses on enhancing standardized test outcomes, particularly for students scoring below 18 on the ACT. The company provides professional development for educators and administrators, enabling them to effectively implement in-class ACT preparation. MasteryPrep's services aim to improve students' test scores, facilitating their access to college and better future opportunities. By offering tailored support to schools, MasteryPrep has positively impacted the educational landscape for hundreds of thousands of students across the country.

MobileQubes, Inc. offers portable charging solutions for smartphone and tablet users through self-service kiosks that enable the rental and return of compact battery packs. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, the company addresses the common issue of depleted batteries by providing convenient access to charging equipment in high-traffic locations such as airports, transportation centers, hotels, and sports venues. Users can easily rent or purchase these battery packs from the kiosks, allowing them to charge their devices while on the go. In addition to its kiosk services, MobileQubes also sells its products online, enhancing accessibility for customers who need reliable charging options.

ASAP is an app based restaurant platform that connects restaurants and guests. Guests scroll restaurant menus, customize an order, modify any item, add people to a group order, split the check, choose delivery or carryout, and with the push of a button, have an order in their hands. ASAP has transformed the way restaurants reach people & the way people choose restaurants. The ASAP delivery team & on-demand delivery platform differentiates itself from the pack by being built by hospitality professionals for hospitality professionals. ASAP (formerly known as Waitr) began in late 2013 and started in Chris Meaux's home office and moved into the SEED Center, a Lake Charles, Louisiana business incubator near McNeese State University's campus on Ryan Street. In late 2015, by the end of the first year of operations, 57,000 food delivery orders had been placed on the Waitr app. That was when the decision was made by then CEO Chris Meaux to begin to amp up the digital marketing & operations efforts in addition to the engineering and administrative efforts to guide the company. In marketing, Patrick Hardey was added to the team to take over founder Addison Killebrew's marketing role alongside Katie Davis & Chloe Friend. For operations, Matt Sarradet, Charity Grandchampt, and Crystal Day were hired. As they grew quickly, several months into 2016 their first acquisition took place when they bought GoGoGrocer and then a competitor called Requested out of Northern California founded by San Francisco's Jeff Bolante, & Sacramento's Sonny Mayugba, two seasoned marketing veterans who dropped out of Facebook's Global Marketing Team responsible for developing and growing the Facebook Blueprint. With Sonny Mayugba and Jeff Bolante at the helm in combination with an already successful marketing effort they were able to mentor Patrick Hardey into becoming a customer acquisition professional on Facebook rapidly, which was alluded to by CEO Chris Meaux in a 2017 YouTube video. Some time later Patrick Hardey spearheaded an internal business unit embedded in the marketing department called Partner Marketing (premium digital marketing service), and also cofounded the Waitr Impact corporate social responsibility program after a pitch to executives and board members, and afterward was invited to join the operations stewardship council. Subsequently, through their teamwork with operations, HR, sales, and service they posted a 20%+ month-to-month growth rate average for roughly 3 consecutive years before going public through a strategic partner in the world's wealthiest restauranteur who was impressed with their ability to bring in and keep customers happy on the B2B and B2C fronts. Through a SPAC led by Tilman Fertitta (who is the Billion Dollar Buyer (CNBC), owner of Landry's, the Houston Rockets (NBA), and the entire Golden Nugget casino resort franchise) they exited onto the Nasdaq in November 2018 at $308M, Louisiana history's largest tech exit valuation, and the world's second publicly traded food delivery company beating Uber to the public markets.

PatentDive, Inc. is a New Orleans-based company founded in 2013 that specializes in developing visual patent drafting software aimed at improving communication in the patent process. The company's tools assist in invention disclosure and rapid patent drafting, allowing users to transform complex ideas into patent applications efficiently. Funded by the National Science Foundation, PatentDive's software features a visual interface that simplifies the navigation of patent portfolios and translates invention language into actionable data. This innovative platform serves a diverse user base, including patent professionals, inventors, entrepreneurs, corporate innovation teams, in-house patent counsel, technology transfer offices, and educational institutions. Additionally, the application incorporates gamified elements to enhance patent education, enabling users to make informed decisions throughout the patenting process.

MasteryPrep is an educational organization based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, specializing in college and career readiness programs. Founded in 2013, it focuses on enhancing standardized test outcomes, particularly for students scoring below 18 on the ACT. The company provides professional development for educators and administrators, enabling them to effectively implement in-class ACT preparation. MasteryPrep's services aim to improve students' test scores, facilitating their access to college and better future opportunities. By offering tailored support to schools, MasteryPrep has positively impacted the educational landscape for hundreds of thousands of students across the country.

ASAP is an app based restaurant platform that connects restaurants and guests. Guests scroll restaurant menus, customize an order, modify any item, add people to a group order, split the check, choose delivery or carryout, and with the push of a button, have an order in their hands. ASAP has transformed the way restaurants reach people & the way people choose restaurants. The ASAP delivery team & on-demand delivery platform differentiates itself from the pack by being built by hospitality professionals for hospitality professionals. ASAP (formerly known as Waitr) began in late 2013 and started in Chris Meaux's home office and moved into the SEED Center, a Lake Charles, Louisiana business incubator near McNeese State University's campus on Ryan Street. In late 2015, by the end of the first year of operations, 57,000 food delivery orders had been placed on the Waitr app. That was when the decision was made by then CEO Chris Meaux to begin to amp up the digital marketing & operations efforts in addition to the engineering and administrative efforts to guide the company. In marketing, Patrick Hardey was added to the team to take over founder Addison Killebrew's marketing role alongside Katie Davis & Chloe Friend. For operations, Matt Sarradet, Charity Grandchampt, and Crystal Day were hired. As they grew quickly, several months into 2016 their first acquisition took place when they bought GoGoGrocer and then a competitor called Requested out of Northern California founded by San Francisco's Jeff Bolante, & Sacramento's Sonny Mayugba, two seasoned marketing veterans who dropped out of Facebook's Global Marketing Team responsible for developing and growing the Facebook Blueprint. With Sonny Mayugba and Jeff Bolante at the helm in combination with an already successful marketing effort they were able to mentor Patrick Hardey into becoming a customer acquisition professional on Facebook rapidly, which was alluded to by CEO Chris Meaux in a 2017 YouTube video. Some time later Patrick Hardey spearheaded an internal business unit embedded in the marketing department called Partner Marketing (premium digital marketing service), and also cofounded the Waitr Impact corporate social responsibility program after a pitch to executives and board members, and afterward was invited to join the operations stewardship council. Subsequently, through their teamwork with operations, HR, sales, and service they posted a 20%+ month-to-month growth rate average for roughly 3 consecutive years before going public through a strategic partner in the world's wealthiest restauranteur who was impressed with their ability to bring in and keep customers happy on the B2B and B2C fronts. Through a SPAC led by Tilman Fertitta (who is the Billion Dollar Buyer (CNBC), owner of Landry's, the Houston Rockets (NBA), and the entire Golden Nugget casino resort franchise) they exited onto the Nasdaq in November 2018 at $308M, Louisiana history's largest tech exit valuation, and the world's second publicly traded food delivery company beating Uber to the public markets.

MobileQubes, Inc. offers portable charging solutions for smartphone and tablet users through self-service kiosks that enable the rental and return of compact battery packs. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, the company addresses the common issue of depleted batteries by providing convenient access to charging equipment in high-traffic locations such as airports, transportation centers, hotels, and sports venues. Users can easily rent or purchase these battery packs from the kiosks, allowing them to charge their devices while on the go. In addition to its kiosk services, MobileQubes also sells its products online, enhancing accessibility for customers who need reliable charging options.

MobileQubes, Inc. offers portable charging solutions for smartphone and tablet users through self-service kiosks that enable the rental and return of compact battery packs. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, the company addresses the common issue of depleted batteries by providing convenient access to charging equipment in high-traffic locations such as airports, transportation centers, hotels, and sports venues. Users can easily rent or purchase these battery packs from the kiosks, allowing them to charge their devices while on the go. In addition to its kiosk services, MobileQubes also sells its products online, enhancing accessibility for customers who need reliable charging options.

Dinner Lab is a membership-based dining club that connects undiscovered chefs with adventurous diners seeking unique culinary experiences beyond traditional restaurants. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, the company hosts events in unconventional venues, such as rooftops, industrial spaces, and various creative locations. By focusing on the combination of good people, quality food, and enjoyable drinks, Dinner Lab aims to create memorable meals that foster social interaction and exploration of diverse cuisines.

MasteryPrep is an educational organization based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, specializing in college and career readiness programs. Founded in 2013, it focuses on enhancing standardized test outcomes, particularly for students scoring below 18 on the ACT. The company provides professional development for educators and administrators, enabling them to effectively implement in-class ACT preparation. MasteryPrep's services aim to improve students' test scores, facilitating their access to college and better future opportunities. By offering tailored support to schools, MasteryPrep has positively impacted the educational landscape for hundreds of thousands of students across the country.