Innovate Mississippi

Gulf Blue Networking - Building the Blue Economy
2024-11-13 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Gulf Blue, 2605 13th Street, Gulfport, MS, 39501, United States
Building the Blue Economy networking series.
This is an open networking event welcoming innovators and practitioners alike.
We will feature a bluetech innovator each month!
Snacks, beer & wine will be served with the kind support Chandeleur Island Brewing.
Location: 2605 13th Street, Gulfport, MS 39501
Date and time: Wed, Nov 13, 2024 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Register here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/vf68rxu

Gulf Blue Networking - Building the Blue Economy
2025-01-08 17:00 - 19:00 | Gulf Blue, 2605 13th Street, Gulfport, MS, 39501, United States
Building the Blue Economy networking series.
This is an open networking event welcoming innovators and practitioners alike.
Join us Wednesday, January 8th from 5:00 – 7:00pm as we welcome our January speaker, LaDon Swann, Director
Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium and Sea Grant Aquaculture Liaison. The Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium (MASGC) provides integrated university- and college-based research, education and engagement (communications, extension and legal) programs to coastal communities that lead to the responsible use of ocean and coastal resources in Alabama and Mississippi through informed personal, policy and management decisions.
Snacks, beer & wine will be served with the kind support Chandeleur Island Brewing.
Location: 2605 13th Street, Gulfport, MS 39501
Date and time: Wed, Jan 8, 2024 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Register here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/j474k3u

Gulf Blue Networking - Building the Blue Economy
2025-03-12 17:00 - 19:00 | Gulf Blue, 2605 13th Street, Gulfport, MS, 39501, United States
Building the Blue Economy networking series.
This is an open networking event welcoming innovators and practitioners alike.
We will feature a bluetech innovator each month!
Snacks, beer & wine will be served with the kind support Chandeleur Island Brewing.
Location: 2605 13th Street, Gulfport, MS 39501
Date and time: Wed, Mar 12, 2025 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Register here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/v85s5yf

New Orleans Entrepreneur Week 2025
2025-03-24 - 2025-03-29 | Loyola University, 6363 St. Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA, 70118, United States
Join us at New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (NOEW) 2025, Monday, March 24 – Saturday, March 29, 2025, for a week-long celebration of innovation, entrepreneurship, and culture in the Gulf South. NOEW 2025 brings together thought leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and the local community for a dynamic experience unlike any other.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-orleans-entrepreneur-week-2025-registration-1095462651279

2025 3rd Coast Venture Summit
2025-03-26 - 2025-03-28 | MS
Join us in New Orleans for the inaugural 3rd Coast Venture Summit, a 3-day event connecting top Gulf South startup founders with nationwide investors, business leaders, and corporate partners.
Investor and Founder Tickets Unlock:

1:1 Meetings and Networking: Network and set up meetings directly with investors, founders, industry leaders, and other venture ecosystem stakeholders through the 3rd Coast Venture Summit (3CVS) app! Also enjoy invite-only breakfasts and dinners.
Speaker and Keynote Sessions: Dive into the latest trends, insights, and strategies shaping the future of startups and innovation.
Live Pitches Across Industries: Witness dozens of groundbreaking ventures and cutting-edge companies presenting live on stage.
Dine & Explore New Orleans: Immerse yourself in New Orleans culture while networking over curated food, music, and more.

The event will begin with a reception on Wednesday afternoon on March 26th with an investor ONLY half-day of programming, followed by curated dinners in a series of top New Orleans restaurants. The main summit will take place all day on Thursday, March 27th on Tulane University’s uptown campus with back-to-back pitches across industries, keynote speakers, and abundant meeting space. Thursday will culminate with an “after party” at a signature New Orleans music venue (similar to last year at Tipitina’s!). Friday will conclude the event with light programming and breakfast available before departures.
For travel purposes, plan to fly into MSY airport; hotel blocks and further recommendations of where to stay will be shared at a later date.
Please reach out to hello@thirdcoastventuresummit.com if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you there!
Register here: https://thirdcoastventuresummit.brella.io/join/2025/tickets

Gulf Coast Business Council/The Meeting Place Pitch Competition
2025-06-10 | Hospitality Resort Management Center, 420 Debuys Rd, Biloxi, MS, United States
Join us at the Gulf Coast Business Council/The Meeting Place Pitch Competition in Biloxi for an action-packed event where bold founders will hit the stage to pitch their big ideas, compete for cash prizes, and connect with Mississippi’s vibrant entrepreneurial community.

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned business leader, or an investor scouting your next great prospect, you’ll find energy, innovation, and inspiration in every pitch. Come for the ideas, stay for the connections, and be part of the movement shaping Mississippi’s future.

Location: Hospitality Resort Management Center, 420 Debuys Rd, Biloxi, MS
Time: TBD
Interested in applying to pitch? Sign up below! Deadline to apply: April 30th
https://startupgulfcoast.com/
This event is part of Mississippi’s statewide pitch network, powered by Innovate Mississippi and the Mississippi Small Business Development Center Network. Together, they provide two pitch pathways—one for high-growth startups and another for traditional small businesses. If a founder’s venture shows strong high-growth potential, they may even earn an invitation to join the CoBuilders Accelerator.

This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number SSBCI-21034-0003 awarded to Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Gulf Blue Networking - Building the Blue Economy
2025-08-13 17:00 - 19:00 | Gulf Blue, 2605 13th Street, Gulfport, MS, 39501, United States
Building the Blue Economy networking series.
This is an open networking event welcoming innovators and practitioners alike.
We will feature a bluetech innovator each month!
Snacks, beer & wine will be served with the kind support Chandeleur Island Brewing.
Location: 2605 13th Street, Gulfport, MS 39501
Date and time: Wed, Aug 13, 2025 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Register here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/585zdv9

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#!/

Gulf Blue Networking - Building the Blue Economy
2025-09-10 17:00 - 19:00 | Gulf Blue, 2605 13th Street, Gulfport, MS, 39501, United States
Building the Blue Economy networking series.
This is an open networking event welcoming innovators and practitioners alike.
We will feature a bluetech innovator each month!
Snacks, beer & wine will be served with the kind support Chandeleur Island Brewing.
Location: 2605 13th Street, Gulfport, MS 39501
Date and time: Wed, Sept 10, 2025 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Register here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/uh6k9e3

Gulf Blue Networking - Building the Blue Economy
2025-10-08 17:00 - 19:00 | Gulf Blue, 2605 13th Street, Gulfport, MS, 39501, United States
Building the Blue Economy networking series.
This is an open networking event welcoming innovators and practitioners alike.
We will feature a bluetech innovator each month!
Snacks, beer & wine will be served with the kind support Chandeleur Island Brewing.
Location: 2605 13th Street, Gulfport, MS 39501
Date and time: Wed, Oct 8, 2025 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Register here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/kg542s6

TEDx Southern Miss
2025-10-30 13:00 - 17:00 | 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

Connect on the Coast
2025-12-03 17:00 - 19:00 | CRAVE Food Hall, 1515 Government Street Suite B100, Ocean Springs, MS, 39564, United States
Join our partners at StartUp Gulf Coast on Wednesday, December 3rd, from 5-7 PM at CRAVE Food Hall in Ocean Springs for the first-ever StartUp Gulf Coast Ecosystem Mixer!
Calling all entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, and service providers! Join us for the inaugural StartUp Gulf Coast Ecosystem Mixer, 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 chance to meet like-minded peers, share ideas, and strengthen our regional entrepreneurial network.
Event Details
• Date: Wednesday, December 3rd
• Time: 5:00-7:00pm
• Location: CRAVE Food Hall @ os1515 Downtown
• Address: 1515 Government St Suite B100, Ocean Springs, MS 39564
• Cost: Free to attend (registration required)
Food & Drinks
Enjoy access to CRAVE Food Hall and PROOF Cocktail Bar, the Coast’s first and only food hall experience. Choose from eight chef-driven dining concepts and a vibrant indoor/outdoor bar offering globally inspired bites and handcrafted cocktails—all within one dynamic, community-centered space.
RSVP Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/startup-gulf-coast-ecosystem-mixer-tickets-1969395926230?aff=oddtdtcreator
About StartUp Gulf Coast
StartUp Gulf Coast is a regional initiative powered by the Gulf Coast Business Council and funded through Innovate Mississippi. Our mission is to cultivate a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem across South Mississippi by connecting early-stage founders, innovators, and visionaries with the resources, mentors, funding, and community they need to bring bold ideas to life—and to scale them sustainably.

Gulf Blue Networking - Building the Blue Economy
2026-01-14 17:00 - 19:00 | Gulf Blue, 2605 13th Street, Gulfport, MS, 39501, United States
Building the Blue Economy networking series.
This is an open networking event welcoming innovators and practitioners alike.
We will feature a bluetech innovator each month!
Snacks, beer & wine will be served with the kind support Chandeleur Island Brewing.
Location: 2605 13th Street, Gulfport, MS 39501
Date and time: Wed, Jan 14, 2026 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Register here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/32hfhpa

StartUp Gulf Coast 2026 Pitch Competition
2026-05-19 09:00 - 14:00 | Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, 246 Dolan Ave, Gulfport, MS, 39507, United States
Join us at the StartUp Gulf Coast 2026 Pitch Competition for a high-energy event where founders pitch their businesses, compete for cash prizes, and connect with Mississippi’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. This event is part of Mississippi’s statewide pitch network, powered by Innovate Mississippi and the Mississippi Small Business Development Center Network, bringing together entrepreneurs from across the state.
The competition features two pitch tracks—Scalable Business and Traditional Business—and is one of eight regional pitch events held statewide, with over $200,000 in total prize money available across all eight events. Participants gain access to experienced mentors, receive valuable feedback from judges, and ventures with high-growth potential may be invited to join Innovate Mississippi’s CoBuilders Accelerator, beginning August 2026.
Ready to take the stage? Apply now!
Deadline: April 12
This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number SSBCI-21034-0003 awarded to Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

GulfBlue Happy Hour
2026-07-17 16:00 - 18:00 | MS
Join GulfBlue for a Happy Hour with Yi Chao from Seatrec as they share some exciting news on expanding manufacturing in Mississippi! Please register here.
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/cbr95c5

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
