Innovate Mississippi

2026 America's Seed Fund Week
2026-05-12 - 2026-05-14 | MS
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 | MS
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 | MS
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 | MS
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/
