Innovate Mississippi

Tonight, we’re switching things up and teaming up with the Mississippi Entrepreneurship Forum for a special edition of CONNECT. 📍 New Location: Embassy Suites, 200 Township Place, Ridgeland, MS 🕓 Time: 4:30 – 6:30 PM 🍴 Perks: Light bites + 💵 Cash bar The Mississippi Entrepreneurship Forum (April 3–4) brings together entrepreneurs, students, investors, and ecosystem leaders from all over the state—and we’re kicking things off with this awesome networking event. Let’s pack the room with startup energy! RSVP now 👉 https://lnkd.in/g3s2M8KQ #CONNECT #MississippiStartups #Entrepreneurship #InnovateMS #MEF2025 #OleMiss

Got a groundbreaking idea or a startup ready to scale? This is your moment. Pitch. Win. Accelerate. Join us at the Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation Pitch Competition for a high-energy event where you’ll pitch your business, compete for cash prizes, and connect with Mississippi’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. This event is part of Mississippi's statewide pitch network, powered by Innovate Mississippi and the Mississippi Small Business Development Center Network. Together, they provide two pitch pathways—one for high-growth startups and another for traditional small businesses. If your venture shows high-growth potential, you may have the opportunity to be invited into the CoBuilders Accelerator. Apply here by April 30th: https://lnkd.in/gwgWqmQd #MississippiTech #MSFounders #InnovateMS #CoBuilders #Accelerator #Oxford #EDF #OleMiss

Join us at the Mississippi Entrepreneurship Forum at the Embassy Suites on April 3-4. Now in its 10th year, the forum connects universities and entrepreneurs to share insights, success stories, and resources. Sessions will cover student entrepreneurship, campus innovation centers, and the impact of AI on digital entrepreneurship. Innovate Mississippi’s very own David Collins is joining an exciting panel on AI and Digital Entrepreneurs in Mississippi moderated by Kelly Woodford, J.D. (Mississippi University for Women) He’ll be joined by a powerhouse lineup: — Natalie Burke (Millsaps College) — Reed Parkinson (University of Mississippi) — Derek Stephens (Mississippi SBDC Network) This dynamic conversation will explore how AI is shaping entrepreneurship across the state. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gQbeBbh9

Do you need additional business, cash, or investment support to get your business off the ground? Apply for MPI's pitch event by April 15th: https://lnkd.in/eGbUFCiu

What started as a dream between two college friends has become a reality, proving that anything is possible with the right mix of passion, perseverance, and support available to Mississippi entrepreneurs who take advantage of it. Today, DueTT has successfully raised $1.7 million with support from Mississippi-based investors, including Innovate Mississippi's Seed Fund, Mississippi Angel Fund, and the InvestMS Venture Capital Program. For the DueTT team, this journey has been about more than just building a business—it's been about believing in themselves, surrounding themselves with the right mentors, and proving that innovation can happen anywhere, even in Mississippi. Their message to young entrepreneurs is clear: stay committed, stay coachable, and don't let others define your limits. Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/d_Ma88Xx

Are you an entrepreneur, startup founder, or researcher developing cutting-edge technology? The SBIR/STTR Launchpad Summit is your opportunity to learn how to access early-stage, non-dilutive federal funding to bring your innovation to market! The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs provide billions in funding each year to support technology commercialization. At this summit, you’ll: ✅ Discover how to apply for SBIR/STTR funding ✅ Gain expert insights on strategies and agency priorities ✅ Connect with industry professionals, government agencies, and fellow innovators Don’t miss this chance to take your innovation to the next level with federal support. Register today and get ready to launch! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gzWbE7E2 Register by March 30th.

Ready to bring the heat and pitch your big idea? Join us in Hattiesburg for the The Mississippi Polymer Institute Pitch Competition—a fast-paced, high-energy showdown where bold entrepreneurs compete for cash prizes, show off their ventures, and plug into Mississippi’s buzzing startup scene! This event is part of the statewide pitch network, powered by Innovate Mississippi and the Mississippi SBDC Network. Whether you’re building a high-growth startup or a solid small biz, there’s a pitch track for you. And if your idea has serious scale-up potential, you could snag an invite to the CoBuilders Accelerator. 🗓 Apply by April 8 and show us what you’ve got: 👉 https://lnkd.in/g-ZMQQaR #MississippiTech #MSFounders #InnovateMS #CoBuilders #Accelerator #MPI

We’re shaking things up for this month’s CONNECT networking event! Instead of our usual gathering at Fertile Ground, we’re co-hosting a special edition of CONNECT in partnership with the Mississippi Entrepreneurship Forum. 📍 New Location: Embassy Suites, 200 Township Place, Ridgeland, MS 🕓 4:30 – 6:30 PM 🍴 Light bites + 💵 Cash bar The Mississippi Entrepreneurship Forum. (April 3–4) brings together entrepreneurs, students, investors, and ecosystem leaders from across the state for two days of insight, inspiration, and innovation. This event is a fantastic opportunity for both newcomers and seasoned ecosystem builders to connect, share ideas, and learn more about what your fellow Mississippians are creating and launching in every corner of the state. We’d love to see our regular CONNECT crowd—and plenty of new faces—at this exciting collaboration! Don’t miss this unique chance to network, learn, and grow. RSVP here. https://lnkd.in/g3s2M8KQ

Representing Mississippi in the Big Easy! A few of our Innovate Mississippi team members are in New Orleans this week for #NOEW and the #3rdCoastVentureSummit — connecting, learning, and championing innovation in the South. #InnovateMS #NOEW2025 #Startups #VentureCapital #EcosystemBuilders #TechInnovation #SouthernStartups #Entrepreneurship

The Innovate Mississippi Team is representing at the 3rd Coast Venture Summit this week! This event brings together investors, founders, and ecosystem builders to spotlight the innovation and investment potential of America's Gulf Coast—aka the 3rd Coast. From regional trends to real data insights, it's where vision meets opportunity. Today: Lindsey Benefield, Investment Director, will take the stage alongside Jon Atkinson, Todd Greer, and Andrew Albert to discuss What's Now and Next for the 3rd Coast from an economic and market perspective. Tomorrow: Tony Jeff, President & CEO of Innovate Mississippi, joins a powerhouse panel on Economic Ecosystem Building—featuring SVB's Christopher Hollins, Josh Fleig (LED), and more—diving into why the Gulf South is becoming a hot spot for innovation and investment. April Dixon, Innovation Analyst, and Victor Robinson, Investment Manager, are also attending. They’re on the ground connecting, collaborating, and championing Mississippi’s innovation future. #3rdCoastSummit #InnovateMS #StartupEcosystem #VentureSummit #EconomicDevelopment #MSstartups #NOEW