KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Eight companies selected from over 60 applicants for 2026 VILLAGEx cohort.
- Cohort includes startups in AI, health care, logistics, media, and consumer products.
- 16-week accelerator provides mentorship, investor access, and capital readiness support.
- Program strengthens the Gulf South’s innovation economy, with $2B+ regional impact since 2000.
The Idea Village, the Gulf South’s leading startup accelerator, has announced its 2026 VILLAGEx cohort, highlighting a new wave of growth-stage companies poised to scale in technology-driven sectors including health care, AI, logistics, media, and consumer products.
The eight companies were chosen from more than 60 applicants through a competitive evaluation process assessing market potential, scalability, team readiness, and product maturity. The accelerator program runs 16 weeks and is designed to help startups prepare for raising $1 million or more in outside capital while providing mentorship, investor access, and strategic guidance.
“One of the most exciting parts of welcoming a new VILLAGEx cohort is seeing the signal take shape,” said Andrew Albert, programs director at The Idea Village. “Louisiana has a distinct set of assets that make it fertile ground for innovation, and this group reflects that clearly.”
The 2026 cohort includes:
- Harbor Lynx + Marine OT: A marine technology ecosystem providing real-time fleet management for inland waterway operators.
- Vetavize: An AI platform guiding veterans through benefits and health care resources at no personal cost.
- Dreamland Koffucha: The first sparkling probiotic coffee combining alertness without traditional coffee side effects.
- Gophr: AI-powered logistics platform connecting suppliers and industrial companies with verified drivers for same-day deliveries.
- CultureBot: A Slack-integrated tool helping organizations embed recognition and shared values into daily workflows.
- WhosLive: A live-stream discovery hub aggregating content across Twitch, YouTube Live, TikTok, Rumble, and more.
- Informuta: A techbio company using AI and predictive biomarkers to forecast antibiotic resistance for improved treatment decisions.
- !nService: A browser-based law enforcement platform offering real-time access to RMS systems with AI and drone integration.
Throughout the program, each company will work with dedicated Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, curated advisory boards, and mentors from The Idea Village ecosystem to refine operations and prepare for capital raises.
The VILLAGEx accelerator, alongside initiatives such as the Momentum Fund and the 3rd Coast Venture Summit, underscores The Idea Village’s mission to strengthen the Gulf South’s innovation economy. Since its founding in 2000, the nonprofit has supported more than 23,700 entrepreneurs, contributing over $2 billion in regional economic impact.
For more information on VILLAGEx and The Idea Village, visit www.ideavillage.org/villagex.
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