Services for Entrepreneurs
Innovate Mississippi is committed to assisting technology entrepreneurs and emerging companies in our state. Whether you are developing your business plan or seeking early stage investment capital, our staff of experienced business and economic development professionals wants to help you find the resources you need to grow your enterprise and create jobs in Mississippi. Follow the process outlined below to see how Innovate Mississippi can assist you.
Innovate Mississippi uses a rigorous entrepreneurial assessment tool. It contains evaluations to measure a project’s entrepreneurial, risk, venture, and business plan “readiness.” Used in conjunction with the Mississippi Angel Network, Mississippi Executive Talent Exchange, and the Entrepreneurial Service Providers Database, our assessment tool helps Innovate Mississippi guide Mississippi entrepreneurs as they follow the path to growing successful businesses.
Innovate Mississippi focuses on innovation-based companies with innovative products, processes, materials or business models. We generally do not work with companies in retail services, oil and gas exploration and production franchisees, real estate development, management and investment companies. However; firms will not be disqualified because their customers are in such industries. The Small Business Development Centers and the Mississippi Development Authority have resources to assist entrepreneurs in areas outside the scope of Innovate Mississippi.
The Entrepreneurial Development Process:
- Complete Intake Survey (all information provided will be kept confidential)
- Contact Us to schedule a meeting
- Initial Meeting (1 hour): At the Initial Meeting, we will want to discuss your answers to our Intake survey. There is no need to prepare materials, but please feel free to bring any PowerPoint presentation or Business Plan that you have already compiled.
- During our meeting we will discuss your business or concept, introduce you to our development tools and discuss next steps.
- Entrepreneur uses Venture Capital Tools under Innovate Mississippi direction.
- Depending on the required next steps, we will help the entrepreneur by connecting them to the ESP, MXTX, Seed Fund and Angel Network or other resources.
* Note: All information shared with Innovate Mississippi via intake form or disclosed in meetings will be kept confidential. We are happy to advise entrepreneurs on Intellectual Property protection, if that has not already been secured.
Resources:
Click here for a sample investor presentation.
Click here for investor presentation guidelines.
Featured Links:
The Kauffman Foundation for Entrepreneurship and Education
The National Association of Seed and Venture Funds
The National Venture Capital Association
Wall Street Journal Small Business
U.S. Small Business Administration
Federal Trade Commission Facts for Consumers Regarding Invention Promotion Companies
Mississippi Technology Transfer and Commercialization Entities
Jackson State University
Office of Research Development and Support and Federal Programs
Mississippi State University
Office of Research
Intellectual Property and Technology Licensing
The University of Mississippi
Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
Division of Technology Management
The University of Southern Mississippi
Office of Research and Economic Development
Open Source Software Institute