Patrick Coogan began his early career on the mound, pitching for the St. Louis Cardinals. Today the serial entrepreneur still spends plenty of time around dirt, but on a different playing field — his new company prevents erosion, suppresses dust and stabilizes soil.
A quick replay: After winning two national championships at Louisiana State University and spending six years in professional baseball, Coogan successfully built two financial management firms and helped start two sporting goods businesses. In 2023 he acquired a promising polymer technology and launched Rapid Impact Erosion Control. Based in Baton Rouge, the company’s flagship product, RI-32® (a combination of its initials and Coogan’s former jersey number), creates a flexible yet durable matrix that binds soil. Key applications include:
- Erosion control — RI-32 protects banks of retention ponds, canals, drainage sites and other at-risk areas from wind and water runoff. When used with hydroseeding (a spray-applied process that establishes grass and vegetation), RI-32 reduces washout and speeds the germination process. This not only improves aesthetics but also environmental performance, encouraging robust roots.
- Dust suppression — By preventing surface particles from becoming airborne on unpaved roads, industrial yards and soil stockpiles, RI-32 eliminates the need to constantly run water trucks or use calcium chloride powder. With RI-32, surface treatment lasts longer and there is no corrosion to vehicles or machinery.
- Soil stabilization — At higher concentrations, RI-32 can be used on unpaved roads, parking lots, golf cart paths and driveways. It improves load-bearing capacity, minimizes ruts and potholes, and extends surface life. “It’s like having asphalt without the price tag,” says Coogan.
Rapid Impact targets customers in industrial construction, landfill management, real estate development and engineering. Currently the majority of sales are for erosion control with dust suppression representing about one-third. Although soil stabilization is a newer path for RI-32, Coogan believes it offers the greatest potential for long-term growth. Initial testing shows the polymer emulsion out-performing similar products, and Coogan is seeking partners to conduct more real-world projects that validate lab data. “The alternative is lime or fly ash, but these products are messy and a nuisance — ours isn’t,” he says. “We are a superior product not only in results but also in time, cost and ease of installation.”
Earlier this year Coogan participated in an Innovation Cohort with the goal of expanding Rapid Impact’s customer base. Hosted by Louisiana Economic Development (LED) and the Edward Lowe Foundation, the peer-learning program kicked off with a three-day retreat followed by monthly roundtable sessions with other growth-oriented entrepreneurs.
“Although we all come from different industries and have different strengths, we face similar challenges, and the sharing of information has been excellent,” Coogan says. Discussing success stories and setbacks to help others isn’t just gratifying — it comes with surprising benefits, he adds. “Hearing yourself talk through past challenges lets you reflect on them again, reinforcing what you’ve learned and how you’ve grown.”
The Innovation Cohort also enabled Coogan to work with business experts in the foundation’s System for Integrated Growth® (SIG) program. Coogan initially spent time refining Rapid Impact’s business model and competitive advantage. “I’ve built companies from scratch before, but construction wasn’t an industry I had a lot of experience in,” he explains. “I needed to hear another voice, to make sure this was a viable endeavor — and that I was approaching it with the right building blocks.”
Next, Coogan worked with SIG specialists to identify potential new customers and clarify his messaging. “Within construction, companies operate differently based on their specialties, culture and niche markets,” he explains. “We need to tailor messaging because only certain pieces of our business will apply.”
Coogan believes that Rapid Impact has the potential to become “the Kleenex of the erosion control market” and replace current go-to method of rolled matting.
Compared to other types of business assistance Coogan has received, he praises LED for its engagement. “Other programs tend to be transactional and forget about you once you’re on board,” he says. “Yet LED is the opposite. Its engagement has only increased only since I started to participate. The LED staff has a deep desire to see you succeed. It’s an investment to drive new industry in Louisiana and raise the level of business being done in our state.”
