At Innovate Mississippi, we're all about building teams and engaging communities to fuel entrepreneurial success. Our CoBuilders program is a testament to this belief, and it wouldn't be possible without the incredible support of our eight regional partners. These organizations have supported innovation, provided invaluable resources, and nurtured entrepreneurs statewide.…
Innovate Mississippi continues to drive entrepreneurial growth and innovation across the state through its CoBuilders program and regional pitch competitions. Two partners, the Oxford/Lafayette Economic Development Foundation (EDF) and the Community Development Foundation (CDF), recently held their pitch events, concluding this year's series of regional competitions. Oxford/Lafayette Economic Development Foundation…
FoundersPlus is a six-week program designed to equip Mississippi startup founders with the knowledge and tools they need to transform their ideas into thriving businesses. The program, run by Innovate Mississippi, guides founders through a carefully curated curriculum that covers critical aspects of building a successful startup. How FoundersPlus Works…
The technology behind Glo Pals started in a classroom project at Mississippi State University, with the MSU E-Center playing a pivotal role in transitioning it from a student endeavor to a burgeoning startup. Water-activated light-up technology was initially developed to add a fun element to drinks at parties. However, it soon found…
Innovate Mississippi was awarded $50,000 in prize money for equitable access to entrepreneurship WASHINGTON– Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced Innovate Mississippi as a Stage One winner for the 2024 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC). Innovate Mississippi will receive a $50,000 cash prize for its impactful and inclusive…
The Mississippi Gulf Coast is a hub for innovation in ocean conservation, with Gulf Blue Navigator leading the charge. Under the University of Southern Mississippi Research Foundation, this program aims to accelerate late-stage startups toward revenue generation. Over four months, Gulf Blue Navigator provides expertise, collaboration opportunities, research facilities, testing…
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI — April 8, 2024 — The America's Seed Fund Road Tour stopped in Jackson on April 3, 2024, as part of a nationwide initiative organized by the Small Business Administration. The event aimed to connect Mississippi innovators and entrepreneurs with non-dilutive federal funding opportunities. Innovate Mississippi and the University of Southern Mississippi…
Dr. Zhe Qiang and Mark Robertson launched their startup, RebornC, in 2022 after their academic research showed promise for a new way to transform plastic waste into an essential, energy-efficient heating resource for manufacturing. Qiang, an assistant professor of Polymer Science and Engineering at the University of Southern Mississippi, says…
Victor Robinson, investment manager at Innovate Mississippi, is making significant strides in empowering Mississippi startups. Robinson's diverse background, including healthcare administration and independent business brokering, uniquely positions him to navigate the complex entrepreneurial landscape. As a proud University of Mississippi MBA graduate, Robinson transitioned from a prominent healthcare administration role…
In early 2023, Rumie App LLC, an Oxford-based technology startup founded by University of Mississippi students, earned a $100,000 Mississippi Seed Fund award to help them realize the potential in their campus-based marketplace for students. The only thing holding CEO Tanner McCraney back—even a little—was his final semester of study.…