The Advocate, Baton Rouge, La.
WWR Article Summary (tl;dr)
The Advocate, Baton Rouge, La.
Nine semi-finalists will compete for $15,000 in the Water Challenge, a business pitch competition focused on ideas to rebuild the coast, improve urban water management and create jobs in the local water economy.
Semi-finalists in business incubator Propeller’s competition are:
–Anna Marie Shrimp, Lance Nacio: The Louisiana shrimper is committed to reducing bycatch of unwanted fish and ensuring customers receive shrimp within one day of catch.
–AutoFlow LLC, Peyton Watson: The company’s Autoriser water control gate uses sensors and infrared cameras and other technology to help monitor and control the release of water from agricultural fields and impoundment areas by computer or smartphone.
–Bayou Backer Erosion Control, Joseph Lazaro: Protects marshland and eroding shoreline by installing high-density plastic to reduce the impact of waves caused by boat wakes.
–Landscape Metrics LLC, Benjamin Wellington: Customizes clients’ information and data into interactive maps, visuals and stories for more effective presentations.
–Marine Gardens Marsh Armor, Michael Boatright: Uses industrial-size 3-D printers to construct inexpensive structures from industrial mineral waste streams.
–Marine Turbine Technologies LLC, Ted McIntyre II: Created a twin turbine airboat to replace work vessels needed for projects in fragile wetlands along Louisiana’s coast.
–Bluefin Data, Andrew Peterson: Is creating a software to promote efficient operations for seafood producers and government agencies.
–Orleans Resource Center LLC, William Belisle: Created an oil spill remediation and containment net that can be used to collect oil and restrict oil movement through bodies of water.
–Sustaining Our Urban Landscape, Susannah Burley: Is piloting project You Dig by planting native trees in New Orleans neighborhoods to help reforest the city.
The pitch competition will take place at the Ogden Museum Library from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. March 20 during New Orleans Entrepreneur Week. The Water Challenge is free and open to the public. Registration is required at NOEW.org.
