The New Orleans BioInnovation Center has opened applications for BioChallenge 2026, its flagship global pitch competition for early-stage neurotechnology and brain health startups, with more than $100,000 in non-dilutive funding and other support available to finalists and winners.
Held Oct. 29 at NOBIC’s New Orleans facility, the competition is open to all early-stage startups working in neurotechnology and brain health, no matter where they are based.
The competition has built a track record of helping startups move faster.
“Investors started reaching out immediately after BioChallenge,”
Samantha Scott, JUneBrain
“The visibility has been incredible. Investors started reaching out immediately after BioChallenge,” said Samantha Scott, founder of JuneBrain and the 2025 BioChallenge winner. “We secured a major funding commitment, and a major pharmaceutical company with an Alzheimer’s portfolio contacted us after hearing about our win. It’s opened doors on both the fundraising and partnership fronts.”
Neurological conditions are the leading cause of disability worldwide. Louisiana faces a disproportionate burden, with some of the nation’s highest rates of stroke, Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. BioChallenge was created to accelerate the development of technologies and therapies that address these challenges and advance equity and innovation in brain health.
Beyond the $100,000 in non-dilutive funding, prizes include complimentary lab space at NOBIC, dedicated pilot implementation and grant-writing support. Finalists will also receive travel funding to compete in person in New Orleans.
This goes beyond a one-time pitch event. Participants gain access to a launchpad for long-term growth. NOBIC provides BioChallenge winners and finalists with a network of global entrepreneurs, investors and commercialization partners, opening access to funding opportunities, facilities, mentorship and a community of support as their companies scale.
JuneBrain, which develops telehealth OCT devices and AI software for remote monitoring of neurological and retinal diseases, has since pitched to Louisiana angel investors and is developing grant partnerships with Tulane University.
NOBIC’s 2024 BioChallenge winner was Kalen Hall, cofounder and CEO of Informuta, an infectious disease intelligence company that forecasts drug resistance trajectories to guide antibiotic selection. Since the win, Hall has received an STTR award, established a research pilot with Ochsner and opened a second lab in New Orleans at NOBIC.
Partnerships like those can be just as valuable as pitch competition cash prizes, creating new opportunities to scale and hire.
“BioChallenge embodies the ambition, innovation and collaboration that makes Louisiana’s biotech community special,” said Kris Khalil, executive director of NOBIC. “We’re excited to welcome a new cohort of neuroscience-focused companies and introduce them to all the partners, investors, health systems and academic institutions that make scaling a new health technology in New Orleans an obvious choice.”
Startups shaping the future of neuroscience are encouraged to submit an application. All finalists chosen must travel to New Orleans to compete in person.
Have questions? Reach out to NOBIC at [email protected].
