The Innovate Mississippi team recently participated in the MSU Startup Summit, an event that showcased the entrepreneurial spirit thriving within Mississippi’s ecosystem. This annual summit serves as a launchpad for student founders, providing a platform to pitch their ideas, connect with mentors, and secure funding to bring their visions to life.
During the week-long event, we heard captivating pitches from various startups, each filled with potential and innovation. Keynote speakers Bonnie Harvey and Michael Houlihan, founders of Barefoot Wine, shared their journey from launching a wine brand with minimal capital from their laundry room to building America’s number-one wine brand.
Standout startups like MagneBrite, Posidon’s Vaults, and ConnectU received recognition for their innovative ideas, with MagneBrite winning the $7,000 first prize and People’s Choice awards in the grand finale on Friday. This success highlights the collaborative efforts of the university, its partners, and the broader entrepreneurial community to encourage innovation in Mississippi.
Congratulations to all participants and winners! We’re excited to see your continued growth. We also thank Eric Hill for his leadership in driving innovation at MSU as he transitions to a new role at Glo.
