Innovate Mississippi

Oceans in Action 2025 Workshop
2025-08-26 - 2025-08-28 | Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center, 2350 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, MS, 39531, United States
Join the Marine Technology Society for Oceans In Action 2025 Workshop, an in-person event featuring the marine science and technology research efforts along the Gulf Coast that transform into operational missions worldwide.
Following the success of the larger OCEANS 2023 Conference, the workshop will host presentations from locally based federal agencies, state-led initiatives, and high-tech companies. This year’s event will once again highlight the results of the Advanced Naval Technology Exercise (ANTX) vignettes that occurred in the Gulf of Mexico in 2024. In addition to the Department of the Navy, these vignettes are supported by NOAA, USM, and LSU and are the results of testing new technologies in an operational scenario.
Hosted by the Marine Technology Society’s Gulf Coast Section and the Mississippi Enterprise for Technology, the workshop takes place along the thriving Mississippi Gulf Coast and offers a number of networking opportunities for marine science and technology companies.
When: August 26-28, 2025
Where: Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center, Biloxi MS. Ballroom A
Register Here: https://mtsociety.memberclicks.net/index.php?option=com_mcform&view=ngforms&id=2217165#!/

DelTech 2025
2025-10-08 - 2025-10-10
DelTech is a premier regional conference dedicated to advancing technology and innovation across the Delta region. By bringing together entrepreneurs, industry leaders, investors, and policymakers, DelTech fosters collaboration and accelerates solutions to some of the region’s most pressing challenges. With inspiring keynotes, dynamic panel discussions, hands-on workshops, and startup showcases, DelTech is the hub for those passionate about driving a culture of innovation.
Epicenter Memphis
Oct 8 – 10, 2025
Learn more: https://whova.com/web/63P5WAhbUiPmJjutmc7Ij6dTh3I2ccbU2OaE1-giDfw%3D/
Register: https://whova.com/portal/registration/9Nh1lB6WCiO79WBm0czC/

Mississippi Aerospace and Defense Symposium 2025
2025-10-22 - 2025-10-24 | Golden Nugget Biloxi Hotel & Casino, 151 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, MS, 39530, United States
SAVE THE DATE OCTOBER 22-24, 2025

REGISTRATION OPENS JUNE 13
The Mississippi Aerospace and Defense Symposium (MADS) is an annual event, co-hosted by Mississippi Enterprise for Technology and the Aerospace and Defense Alliance of Mississippi. MADS rotates between the state’s different research institutions to highlight business opportunities across the industry and bring together industry executives, academic institutions, government officials and economic developers. MADS features networking opportunities, presentations on industry forecasts and highlights Mississippi’s assets including research centers, workforce training programs, and contracting opportunities.
Learn more here: https://mset.org/mississippi-aerospace-and-defense-symposium-2025/

TEDx Southern Miss
2025-10-30 13:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Park Campus Fleming Education Center, 730 E Beach Blvd, Long Beach, MS, 39560, United States
TEDx Southern Miss is coming to the University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Park campus in Long Beach on October 30.
This milestone marks the first-ever TEDx event hosted along the Mississippi Gulf Coast and at USM, creating an inspiring stage for innovation, leadership, and regional progress.
This year’s program will shine a global spotlight on the groundbreaking work, opportunities, and ideas emerging from our coastal region. You can get involved by attending in person, hosting a livestream viewing party, or supporting the movement as an event sponsor.
Learn more, view the flyer, and get involved: usm.edu/tedx

Ignite 2026 Leadership Conference
2026-01-29
Ignite is a half-day leadership experience designed to ignite your potential and elevate your impact, whether you’re a seasoned leader, an emerging talent, or part of a team that wants to grow together. Hosted by the Community Development Foundation, this conference brings world-class speakers, energizing peer-to-peer interaction, and practical takeaways all under one roof right here in Northeast Mississippi.
Expect a high-energy morning filled with powerful insights from dynamic keynote speakers, real-world leadership strategies you can implement immediately, and meaningful connections with other professionals who are passionate about growth, community, and influence. Ignite is more than just talks — it’s an opportunity to expand your network, sharpen your leadership skills, and come away inspired to lead with confidence.
What’s included:
✨ Insightful presentations from top leadership voices
✨ Networking with local and regional leaders
✨ Free coffee, soft drinks & snacks
✨ Practical tools and action steps for your leadership journey
✨ Optional continuing education credit information available onsite
Whether you’re building influence in your organization, developing your team’s leadership capacity, or simply ready for a spark that pushes you forward, Ignite 2026 delivers inspiration and practical value in a collaborative, upbeat environment.
Register here: https://www.igniteleadership.com/

Mississippi Health Innovation Conference 2026
2026-02-02 08:00 - 17:00
The Mississippi Health Innovation Conference is a collaboration between the School of Business Administration at the University of Mississippi and some of the most renowned physicians, innovators, educators, investors, payers, providers, and policymakers who are leading the future of healthcare in the US.
Register here: www.mshic.org

2026 America's Seed Fund Week
2026-05-12 - 2026-05-14
America’s Seed Fund Week is a free, virtual event that connects entrepreneurs with the country’s largest source of early-stage research and development (R&D) funding.
What Is America’s Seed Fund? America’s Seed Fund awards over $5 billion annually in non-dilutive funding through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. Small businesses use this critical funding to develop their technologies and get them to market.
What Happens at America’s Seed Fund Week?

Hear from federal and private sector leaders on the importance of continued technology innovation
Learn how to navigate SBIR/STTR opportunities and apply for funding
Meet with SBIR/STTR federal agency representatives
Connect with Federal and State Technology (FAST) organizations and find other support resources
Build relationships with fellow innovators

Who Should Attend?

Entrepreneurs, Startups, and Small Businesses based in the United States that are building technologies and bringing them to market
Startup Accelerators, Business Incubators, University Entrepreneur Organizations, and other entrepreneur support organizations
Representatives from Federal Agencies, State and Local Government, and other members across innovation networks that support small businesses

Register Here: https://www.americasseedfund.us/america-s-seed-fund-week

Gulf Blue Innovation Week
2026-05-19 - 2026-05-21
Join us for three days of innovation, investment, and impact along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Gulf Blue Innovation Week brings together entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and industry leaders to explore the future of the Blue Economy, from food security and coastal resilience to startup growth and national security.
May 19-21, 2026 in Gulfport, MS
Register Here: https://www.gulfbluenavigator.org/innovation-week/

Southern Spark 2026
2026-06-11 - 2026-06-12 | Jackson State University Student Center, 1328 John R. Lynch Street, Jackson, MS, 39203, United States
Join educators, technologists, community leaders, and innovators from across Mississippi and the South for three days of learning, connection, and practical exploration of AI in education, workforce development, business, and public service.
Includes:

Full access to all keynotes, panels, workshops, and breakout sessions
Admission to the evening reception at the Bean Barn
Conference materials and post-event resources
Lunch and refreshments during the conference

Who this is for:
Anyone attending Southern Spark to learn, connect, and bring ideas back to their organization or community.
Register Here: https://www.mississippiai.org/registration26

Launch Tennessee's 3686 Conference
2026-09-14 - 2026-09-16
This September in Tennessee, go bigger.
Next starts now. We always say 3686 is the best way to get to know Tennessee startups—the leading-edge innovators, bold thinkers, and fearless pioneers shaping the future frontier across the Volunteer State. 3686 is Tennessee’s flagship entrepreneur conference: named for Nashville’s geographic coordinates, rooted in Music City, and a leading destination for the Southeast’s innovation ecosystem. It’s built for breakthroughs, where ideas gain traction and connections spark the momentum to power the year ahead.

What to Expect
For over a decade, 3686 has brought together leading voices and fresh perspectives to explore the ideas, trends, and challenges shaping what’s next—paired with high-impact networking that puts founders and innovators face-to-face with investors from across the country.
Now in 2026, we’re going even bigger—expanding the week’s lineup and introducing new can’t-miss events, from a tech and startup job fair connecting the state’s top talent with opportunities at dynamic companies and corporate powerhouses, to Tennessee Innovation Night with the Nashville Sounds as they face off against the Memphis Redbirds. Plus, Startup Homecoming, an evening bash and unforgettable 3686 celebration bursting with capital, corsages, and cover bands.

Get updates here: https://www.attend3686.com/

Pitch at Venture Atlanta
2026-10-14 - 2026-10-15
Venture Atlanta is looking for tech-enabled, Southeast-based companies that are passionate about innovation, and are looking to raise within the next 18 months. Once you’re selected to pitch, you’re a VA alumnus forever, and you’ll continue to receive benefits beyond the conference, like invites to the Alumni Dinner and exclusive packages for future conferences.
Connect with hundreds of active investors and gain live exposure on stage. It’s free to apply and takes less than 15 minutes to hit submit.
Venture Atlanta serves as a platform for companies located in the greater Southeast as noted by the 13 states below. If your company is completely virtual you must have some affiliation with one of these states in order to participate.
Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington DC.
Apply to pitch here: https://companies.ventureatlanta.org/apply/
Deadline to apply is August 7th.
Learn more: https://www.ventureatlanta.org/pitch/
