The Community Development Foundation Pitch Competition
2026-06-15 13:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago) | Renasant Center for Ideas, 398 E Main St, Tupelo, MS, 38804, United States
Join us at the Community Foundation 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.
Apply here. https://airtable.com/appEXKLwQ5oSAorxH/pagHxTFjhnv9UqF3v/form
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.

Sloss.Tech/Ideas Southeast Pitch Competition
2026-06-24 | MS
Funded by a grant from the Regions Foundation

Sloss.Tech/Ideas is a platform for early-stage companies in the Southeast U.S. to present their groundbreaking solutions in Agtech and foodtech; Healthtech and biotech; Talent and Productivity Tech; and Emerging tech to investors and industry experts.

When:
Wednesday, June 24th, 2026

Location:
Lyric Theatre
1800 3rd Avenue North
Birmingham, AL 35203

Why Apply to Sloss.Tech/Ideas?
$135,000 in total prizes, including a $100,000 Best in Show Grand PrizeAt least 25% of finalists walk away with cash prizes$375 travel stipend for every finalist company to support participationVIP access to Sloss Tech, unlocking curated exposure to investors, customers, partners, and collaborators across the SoutheastPre-event and on-site pitch coaching to sharpen your story before you step on stageHigh-signal founder-funder touchpoints, including the Startup Showcase and Founders & Funders programming
Proof point: 100% of finalists in Year 1 reported meeting at least one investor, customer, or partner they planned to follow up with after the conference.
If you’re a Southeast-based early-stage founder looking for capital, credibility, and real conversations that move your company forward, Sloss.Tech/Ideas is built for you.

Categories
Sloss.Tech/Ideas, funded by a grant from the Regions Foundation, is currently accepting applications from startups from the Southeast, focusing on the following technology.

Agtech and Foodtech
Innovative technologies and solutions transforming agriculture, aquaculture, and food industries, with an emphasis on sustainability, efficiency, and resilience. This includes advances in genomics-improved crop varieties, cold storage capacity, eco-friendly bio-stimulants, and innovations in food processing and supply chain resilience. Cutting-edge methods like hydroponics, vertical farming, and precision agriculture enable growers to enhance productivity and address emerging challenges while exploring opportunities in Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) and value-added food manufacturing.

Healthtech and Biotech
Innovative technologies revolutionizing healthcare, biotechnology, and life sciences by advancing biopharmaceutical manufacturing, regenerative medicine, and clinical trials with diverse populations. This category also highlights breakthroughs in diagnostics, bioinformatics, and synthetic biology, supported by workforce training and technology transfer. These innovations foster collaboration and growth in fields like drug development, medical devices, and environmental health.

Talent and Productivity Tech
Technologies that power how work is organized, managed, and delivered across modern organizations. This category includes platforms that support hiring, workforce planning, training, scheduling, compliance, productivity, and performance across a wide range of industries. Solutions often leverage data, automation, and AI to help organizations and workers operate more efficiently, adapt to changing skill demands, and succeed in evolving models of work.

Emerging Tech
Innovative technologies at the forefront of industry transformation, serving as a home for startups that defy traditional categories. This includes advancements in artificial intelligence, machine learning, internet of things (IoT), software as a service (SaaS), edtech, fintech, and Tech for Good initiatives. It also spans breakthroughs in chemical manufacturing, advanced engineering, forestry innovations, clean energy, and sustainability solutions. From real-time monitoring and smart infrastructure to energy-efficient data centers and sustainable materials, these technologies enhance connectivity, drive automation, and address global challenges. This category captures pioneering ideas shaping the future of tech and tech-enabled industries, bridging the gap between emerging needs and innovative solutions.
Sloss Tech will accept applications from February 3rd, 2026, to April 10th, 2026. To learn more and apply, click HERE.

Pitch at IDEAfuel
2026-07-06 | MS
IDEAfuel (by IdeaVillage), supported by the Regions Foundation, is a venture accelerator designed to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion within the region’s startup ecosystem by addressing known gaps in early-stage capital access for Black founders and founders of color.
The program provides a select number of competitively chosen startups with $15,000 in non-dilutive funding, along with 1:1 mentorship and structured workshops to support venture development and growth.
IDEAfuel is designed to help close systemic access gaps in early-stage entrepreneurship by providing capital, guidance, and targeted support to founders at a critical stage of company building.
IDEAfuel is open to alumni of IDEAinstitute or to founders who commit to completing IDEAinstitute upon acceptance into the program.
Apply here: https://forms.monday.com/forms/6ce553ab06f271e852ad34c619a03e1b?r=use1
Deadline to apply is July 6.

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/
