Through its CoBuilders initiative, Innovate Mississippi seeks to fuel innovation and growth across the state. This spring, CoBuilders Region Partners hosted five exciting pitch events across the state, highlighting our communities’ ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit. Let’s celebrate the winners and the impact these events have had on Mississippi’s startup ecosystem.
The Bean Path: May 6—Downtown Jackson
The Bean Path kicked off the series on May 6 with a fantastic pitch event at the non-profit’s location in downtown Jackson. The day was filled with excitement as startups vied for top honors. Congratulations to Percy Walker of Oree Development LLC for clinching 1st Place. Christina Berry of Sippsi Good Tea earned a well-deserved 2nd Place, and Kimberly Butler of Improvise Ability LLC secured 3rd Place with her inspiring pitch.
Higher Purpose Co: May 10—Jackson Medical Mall
The momentum continued on May 10 at the Jackson Medical Mall, where Higher Purpose Co. hosted an engaging pitch event—complete with a delicious BBQ dinner! Martin McCurtis of Quantum Flow took home the top prize, impressing the judges with his groundbreaking ideas. Ameka Coleman of Strands of Faith secured 2nd Place, while JKL Hair & Skin Care rounded out the top three with their upbeat pitch.
Mississippi Polymer Institute: May 17—The Accelerator, Hattiesburg
On May 17, the Mississippi Polymer Institute held its pitch event at The Accelerator in Hattiesburg. Home Tours Pro emerged as the winner, showcasing their innovative approach to real estate. Qubee Medical, LLC claimed 2nd Place, and Improvise Ability impressed once again, taking 3rd Place. Notable accolades went to CookEase for the People’s Choice Award and ZEDShed for the Judge’s Honorable Mention.
Dawg Tank: May 22, MCity, Vicksburg
The series continued on May 22 in Vicksburg with the “Dawg Tank” event held at MCity. This unique competition featured two categories: Physical Products and Software/Service. In the Physical Products category, Oree Development, Improvise Ability, and Auto Mosquito Ovitrap emerged as the funded teams. For the Software/Service category, the awardees were ConnectU, Yistrict, and Bloomtech, each presenting innovative solutions that wowed the judges.
Meeting Place: Gulf Coast Regional Pitch Event—May 31, Virtual via Zoom
The Meeting Place Gulf Coast Regional Pitch Event was held virtually on May 31 via Zoom, showcasing the adaptability and resilience of our entrepreneurial community. The top three competitors were Percy Walker of Oree Development LLC, Jeff Smith of Home Tours Pro and Kimberly Butler of Improvise Ability LLC.
These pitch events have highlighted the incredible talent and innovation thriving in Mississippi and provided a platform for startups to gain recognition and support. Innovate Mississippi congratulates all the participants and winners for their hard work, creativity, and inspiring pitches. Together, we are building a brighter future for Mississippi’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Thank You to Our Partners and Mentors
We thank our regional CoBuilders partners and the dedicated mentors who have generously invested their time and expertise in preparing these companies to be pitch-ready. Your unwavering support and guidance are instrumental in these events’ success and the growth of our startup community. Thank you for helping us nurture innovation and entrepreneurship across Mississippi.
Stay tuned for more updates, and join us in celebrating the success of these remarkable entrepreneurs!
