The Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation in partnership with the University of Mississippi and the Mississippi Small Business Development Center Network, announced the return of Innovate Mississippi’s CoBuilders Program to Oxford in Summer 2025.
CoBuilders, a Partnership-Driven Accelerator, first launched by Innovate Mississippi in 2022, is a 12-week intensive and structured program designed to accelerate the growth of qualifying startup companies primarily in technology and innovation. Companies selected for the program will be identified through their participation in one of 8 regional pitch competitions to be held in Clarksdale, Starkville, Jackson,Vicksburg, Hattiesburg, Biloxi, Tupelo, and Oxford.
New to the 2025 business pitch competition, powered by Innovate Mississippi and the Mississippi Small Business Development Center Network, is the offering of two district pathways – one for high-growth startups and another for traditional small businesses.
Participants can apply through a single shared application with both tracks offering cash prizes, valuable exposure, and 1-1 business coaching. Only a limited number of finalists will be selected from the applicant pool and invited to pitch, however all applicants will be connected with small business development resources and invited to join the entrepreneurial community cheering on our finalists on pitch day.
The Oxford Pitch Competition will be held on Thursday June 12, 2025, 1pm – 6pm at the Oxford Conference Center with the deadline to apply set for COB on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
This pitch event, joining seven other regional competitions around the state, serves as a qualifying opportunity for companies to be considered for Innovate Mississippi’s CoBuilders Accelerator—a 12-week intensive program designed to fast-track the growth of promising Mississippi startups. To learn more about the CoBuilders Accelerator and to apply for the Oxford Pitch Competition, visit www.cobuilders.ms.
For more information on this program, contact Allen Kurr (662)234-4651, allen@oxfordms.com or visit www.cobuilders.ms.
About the Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation
The mission of the Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation (EDF) is to be a leader in creating opportunities for responsible economic investment, thereby raising the per capita income for all citizens of Lafayette County. In support of this the EDF is committed to being responsive to local business and industry, being a responsible vehicle to preserve a positive business environment in the area, facilitating technology transfer at the University of Mississippi into the community, and by supporting other positive community efforts which improve the quality of life and yield economic benefits. For more information on the EDF, visit www.oxfordms.com or call 662-234-4651.
