John Fair's professional journey began in high school when he worked summers at his father's gasoline and propane business in Louisville, Miss., as a "grease monkey," earning $20 a week. Initially employed at a lumber company, his father started a small distributorship called The Fair Oil Company near the mill in 1934,…
The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced this week it has selected the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA), in conjunction with the Mississippi Small Business Development Center Network (MSBDCN) and Innovate Mississippi (Innovate MS), to help small Mississippi businesses prepare for growth funding through the ConnectMS Program. The federal government selected…
We are thrilled to announce the newest addition to our statewide network of partners for CoBuilders, the Community Development Foundation (CDF) in Tupelo, Mississippi. As the epicenter of business activity in Northeast Mississippi, Tupelo holds a pivotal role, and together with our seven other regional partners, they will help foster and expand the…
We're excited to share another recent article from the Mississippi Business Journal, highlighting incredible strides in artificial intelligence (AI) in Mississippi. The story showcases the work of the Mississippi AI Collaborative and its AI Agency, which uses AI and cloud technologies to boost innovation in local businesses and education. David…
This past month, Jeremy Pittari in the Magnolia Tribune highlighted a long-time Mississippi innovator, Lobaki, and their intriguing new partnership with Mississippi charter schools. Pitttari details how Lobaki is helping bring students immersive virtual reality (VR) experiences thanks to a $510,000 federal grant. We’ve had the privilege of working with Lobaki for…
CoBuilders, now in its third year of working with partners around the state to accelerate startup businesses in Mississippi, launched its 2024 accelerator with an eight-company cohort this August. Each founding team participates in our 12-week development process, working with mentors on their product, business plan, and deck, preparing to…
Innovate Mississippi would like to thank Susan Marquez of the Magnolia Tribune for her beautiful Pearl River Glass Studio article. Her piece highlights the remarkable journey of a Mississippi-based business that has reached national acclaim. Pearl River Glass Studio's story is one of passion, craftsmanship, and perseverance—qualities that we at Innovate…
We at Innovate Mississippi are thrilled to share that WISPR Systems, a Mississippi-based drone manufacturer, has been featured in the Mississippi Business Journal in a story by reporter Christin Yates. The article documents WISPR's remarkable growth in the commercial UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) industry. Founded in 2016 by Conor Ferguson and Austin…
At Innovate Mississippi, we're proud to be at our state's forefront of AI innovation. Recently, a group of educators, business leaders, and tech enthusiasts gathered at the inaugural Southern Spark conference to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in Mississippi. WLBT was on hand to cover this exciting event.…
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.…