Louisiana Catalyst Partners with Maven Scouts to Launch “Lab 2 Market: Road to Innovation” Driving Dual Use Technology Across Louisiana

MONROE, La. — November 4, 2025 — Louisiana Catalyst today announced a partnership with Maven Scouts to launch the statewide Lab 2 Market: Road to Innovation, a multi city initiative designed to move breakthrough technologies from Louisiana’s research institutions into real world manufacturing and national security applications.

The series—anchored by Maven Scouts’ leadership in lab to market acceleration and dual use innovation—will debut in Monroe on November 14, followed by Bossier City in December, Lafayette in February, and New Orleans in March. Each stop convenes manufacturers, founders, investors, universities, and defense ecosystem partners to connect ideas, talent, and capital across Louisiana’s industrial base.

“Louisiana Catalyst exists to connect innovators with opportunity,” said Quentin C. Durr, President of Louisiana Catalyst. “Our partnership with Maven Scouts helps research become real products and businesses that create jobs and economic growth.”

“Lab to Market is alive and well in Louisiana,” said Grant Rogers, CEO of Maven Scouts and Managing Partner at Grind Ventures. “It’s the epitome of bridging the gap between innovation and industry, transforming what’s made in the lab into what’s deployed in the marketplace.”

A Statewide Runway for Commercialization

The Lab 2 Market: Road to Innovation represents a coordinated effort to bridge research, commercialization, and deployment. Through hands on sessions, matchmaking, and investment readiness programming, participants will engage with practical pathways to transform university and lab technologies into viable, scalable businesses.

Each event emphasizes:

• Dual use technologies serving both commercial and defense markets

• Modernization in manufacturing and energy sectors

• Tech transfer and SBIR/STTR awareness for researchers and startups

• Investment readiness and diligence frameworks for founders

• Industrial matchmaking connecting Louisiana’s manufacturers with innovators

Event Roadmap

Monroe — November 14, 2025: Focus on Manufacturing, hosted with Louisiana Catalyst and partners including Fuel, Grind Ventures, and MavenWerx.

Bossier City — December 2025: Spotlight on Manufacturing and Aerospace, highlighting dual use technologies, defense industry integration, and supplier readiness.

Lafayette — February 2026: Deep dive into Energy and Advanced Manufacturing commercialization, emphasizing regional tech transfer and industrial modernization.

New Orleans — March 2026: A statewide celebration that brings all events together, honoring Louisiana’s rich history in military service, manufacturing excellence, and entrepreneurial spirit, while showcasing outcomes, collaborations, and the next generation of innovation leaders.

The Lab 2 Market Model

Maven Scouts’ Lab 2 Market model was built to convert innovation into deployment. The initiative equips researchers and founders to align technology with market demand, connect with industrial partners, and prepare for investment or federal funding.

In collaboration with MavenWerx, the program integrates a dual use accelerator framework, providing a structured 15 week diligence process that strengthens product market fit, commercialization strategy, and investor engagement.

“We’re not just talking about innovation, we’re operationalizing it,” said Rogers. “Every Lab 2 Market session is designed to produce measurable outcomes: real connections, real contracts, and real capability growth for Louisiana.”

About Louisiana Catalyst

Louisiana Catalyst is a 501(c)(3) entrepreneurial development center advancing innovation and small business growth across North Louisiana. Through partnerships, outreach, and education, Catalyst connects entrepreneurs, researchers, and manufacturers to resources that drive sustainable economic impact.

About Maven Scouts

Maven Scouts is a Louisiana based, veteran led accelerator and dual use technology commercialization firm that connects innovators with government, industry, and capital. The organization operates the MavenWERX Accelerator, a 15 week program that trains and equips founders to transition their technologies from concept to contract. Maven Scouts serves as the scouting and talent development arm for the Grind Ventures Accelerator Fund, identifying and preparing high performing startups for investment. Together, Maven Scouts and Grind Ventures form a full cycle ecosystem—scouting, training, and funding Louisiana’s next generation of national security and energy innovators.

About MavenWerx

MavenWerx is a dual use accelerator supporting startups preparing for both commercial and defense markets. Its diligence driven approach builds founder readiness in market fit, IP strategy, financial modeling, and investment execution.

Media Contact

DeRon Talley, louisianacatalystforbiz@gmail.com

The Lab 2 Market: Road to Innovation represents a new model of regional collaboration, anchored by Maven Scouts’ commercialization platform and powered by partners like Louisiana Catalyst, to ensure that Louisiana’s innovators aren’t just inventing the future, they’re building it.