CONNECT: Networking for Entrepreneurs
2025-05-01 16:30 - 18:30, 2025-06-05 16:30 - 18:30, 2025-08-07 16:30 - 18:30, 2025-10-02 16:30 - 18:30, 2025-12-04 16:30 - 18:30, 2026-03-05 16:30 - 18:30, 2026-04-02 16:30 - 18:30, 2026-05-07 16:30 - 18:30 (America/Chicago) and 6 more dates | Fertile Ground Beer Co., 800 Manship St Suite 101, Jackson, MS, 39202
CONNECT is an opportunity for entrepreneurs, mentors, investors and anyone interested in entrepreneurship and innovation to network and form meaningful relationships.
CONNECT is held the first Thursday of every month from 4:30 -6:30 pm. This month we will be meeting at the Fertile Ground, 800 Manship St., Jackson, MS.
Join us at Fertile Ground and enjoy a cash bar and plenty of food options available for purchase while you connect.
We hope to see you there!
Register here
Fertile Ground:
800 Manship Street #Suite 101 Jackson, MS 39202

Pitch, Then Connect – Vicksburg Edition
2025-06-26 12:00 - 19:00 | MCITY Vicksburg, 1622 Washington St, Vicksburg, MS, 39180, United States
Wednesday, June 26 at MCITy – 1622 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Vicksburg, MS 39180
🎤 12:00 – 5:00 PM: Cheer on Mississippi’s boldest founders as they pitch innovative ideas at the MSU @ MCITy Vicksburg Pitch Competition. It’s your chance to witness the next wave of high-growth startups and see who’s ready to take the leap toward investor readiness.
🤝 5:00 – 7:00 PM: Stick around for Connect Vicksburg, a relaxed networking happy hour inspired by Innovate Mississippi’s monthly CONNECT events. Enjoy food and beer from Key City Brewery while connecting with founders, mentors, investors, and fellow innovation enthusiasts. Whether you’re building a startup or just curious about the ecosystem, come share ideas and raise a glass to Mississippi’s entrepreneurial spirit.
Free and open to all—come for the pitches, stay for the people.

CONNECT: Networking for Entrepreneurs
2025-09-04 16:30 - 18:30 | Sheraton Refuge Conference Center, 2200 Refuge Blvd, Flowood, MS, 39232, United States
CONNECT is making a one-time move this September—to the future home of the 2025 Accelerate Conference!
Join us Thursday, September 4th, at The Sheraton for an evening of networking, celebration, and exciting updates. Whether you’re a founder, entrepreneur, mentor, supporter, or Main Street business owner—this is your space to connect.
We’re grateful to PILEUM for sponsoring the evening—thanks to their support, you’ll enjoy light bites and sips while connecting at a beautiful rooftop bar with an unforgettable view.
Raise a glass with us, build meaningful connections, and discover where we’re headed and the remarkable people driving us forward. We can’t wait to tell you all about it! Space is limited, so please RSVP and let us know you are coming.
CONNECT is an opportunity for entrepreneurs, mentors, investors and anyone interested in entrepreneurship and innovation to network and form meaningful relationships.
We hope to see you there!
Register here

Hattiesburg CONNECT
2026-03-19 16:30 - 18:30
Want to grow your business and connect with other entrepreneurs? Come network at our CONNECT event, a monthly informal gathering designed for startups and entrepreneurs in our area. This is a casual, come-as-you-are atmosphere where you can gain insight, meet potential collaborators, and tap into local resources to help move your business forward.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale, this is your chance to exchange ideas, tackle challenges, and build relationships with people who understand the entrepreneurial journey.
Make connections, seek and give guidance, and strengthen the local startup community on Thursday, March 19th at 4:30 PM at Mahogany Bar in Hattiesburg, MS.
CONNECT is brought to you collaboratively by the Mississippi Polymer Institute (MPI) at USM, which offers hands-on support and technical expertise for inventors and businesses, and by Innovate Mississippi, the state’s driver for entrepreneurial growth.
RSVP HERE: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/7f87d494-00bc-49c6-923d-d1f8079921bf

Hattiesburg CONNECT
2026-05-21 16:30 - 18:30 | Southern Prohibition, 301 Mobile St, Hattiesburg, MS, 39401, United States
Want to grow your business and connect with other entrepreneurs? Come network at our CONNECT event, a monthly informal gathering designed for startups and entrepreneurs in our area. This is a casual, come-as-you-are atmosphere where you can gain insight, meet potential collaborators, and tap into local resources to help move your business forward.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale, this is your chance to exchange ideas, tackle challenges, and build relationships with people who understand the entrepreneurial journey.
Make connections, seek and give guidance, and strengthen the local startup community on Thursday, May 21st at 4:30 PM at Southern Prohibition Brewing in Hattiesburg, MS.
CONNECT is brought to you collaboratively by the Mississippi Polymer Institute (MPI) at USM, which offers hands-on support and technical expertise for inventors and businesses, and by Innovate Mississippi, the state’s driver for entrepreneurial growth.
RSVP HERE: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/720a0aaa-63c2-4de7-a0e4-3abef073396a

StartUP Gulf Coast Summer Ecosystem Mixer
2026-08-19 17:00 - 19:00 | Hen House, 122 Blaize Ave, Bay St. Louis, 39520, United States
The StartUP Gulf Coast Summer Ecosystem Mixer is happening on Wednesday, August 19th, from 5-7 PM at Hen House.
Calling all entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, and service providers! The StartUP Gulf Coast Summer Ecosystem Mixer is a casual evening designed to connect the people driving innovation across the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Whether you’re building, funding, advising, or supporting startups, this event is your opportunity to meet like-minded peers, exchange ideas, and strengthen our region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Event Details

Date: Wednesday, August 19
Time: 5:00–7:00 PM
Location: Hen House
Address: 122 Blaize Ave, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
Cost: Free to attend (registration required)

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/startup-gulf-coast-summer-mixer-tickets-1994901377722
