FOUNDER faq

The 3rd Coast Venture Summit will bring together national venture capital investors and rising startup founders from across the Gulf South to connect over a multi-day, packed experience in New Orleans. The structure of the event is designed to facilitate meaningful interactions between founders and investors that will lead to new &/or deepened relationships, education and knowledge building on both sides, and - ultimately - increased deal flow.

Apply by February 19th, 2024 to receive placement (if accepted) in the official 3CVS book of companies.

  • Over the course of three days, founders will have multiple opportunities to network, set-up 1:1 meetings, and participate in speaker sessions with other founders, investors, and venture stakeholders in New Orleans from March 13th-15th.

  • 3rd Coast Venture Summit is an in-person conference. In order to take full advantage of the conference, participating founders are expected to be in New Orleans from March 13th-15th.

  • If you reside in, have domiciled your business in, have a sizable customer base in, or have intentions to relocate or do business in TX, LA, MS, AL, and/or Florida, you have connectivity to the Gulf South.

  • Applications open on December 1st, 2023 and close January 15th, 2024. Founders apply to attend by filling out the Founder Application linked on this page. As part of the application, be prepared to share about your company, the problem you are solving, your product, traction to date, team, and more.

  • 3rd Coast Venture Summit is designed to connect venture-ready companies with capital. This year’s 3rd Coast Venture Summit is for companies that have already raised some level of capital to date, are advancing towards a full Seed or Series A round, and are either currently raising or have plans to raise their next round soon.

  • No, not all participating founders need to pitch. However, those who want to pitch must indicate so in their application.

  • No, it is free to apply. However, founders who are accepted to attend are required to purchase a Founder Ticket in order to accept their invitation and attend. Pricing for founder tickets is stated on the homepage. Invites will be sent out to selected founders and you must purchase a ticket to secure your space at the conference.

  • Up to 20 companies will be selected to pitch live and in-person in front of an audience of nationwide investors and venture ecosystem leaders. Pitches are scheduled to take place on Thursday, March 14th, 2024 on fully produced, professional stages at Tulane University as part of the 3rd Coast Venture Summit. Each founder invited to pitch will have 3-5 minutes (exact time TBD) to pitch their venture on stage, and will be expected to use a slide deck that must be submitted in advance. Additional deadlines and information will be distributed to participating founders as the event date approaches.

  • No, pitch coaching is not available. However, founders who are selected to pitch will participate in webinar sessions leading up to their live pitch letting them know more details about what to expect.

  • Yes, the pitch will not be recorded but not live streamed. Founders who pitch will have access to their pitch post-event.

  • Yes, you need to be present in-person to pitch.

  • No, pitches will not be livestreamed. However, founders who pitch will have access to their pitch in the days following the pitch.