Innovate Mississippi

Spark Webinar Series
2025-03-25 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
Innovate Mississippi and the Mississippi Small Business Development Center Network have teamed up to bring free, high-impact webinars designed to equip small businesses and entrepreneurs with the knowledge, resources, and connections they need to grow and thrive.
The first session launches March 25 with “New Year, New Venture – Turn Your Idea into Reality.” Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining a long-held idea, this FREE webinar will help you evaluate your business concept, access essential resources, and take your first steps with confidence.

📅 March 25 | noon – 1 PM
💻 Online & Free
🔥 Register now and ignite your entrepreneurial journey. https://startupspace.app/v2/dynamic-survey/view/402/2153

Mississippi AI Collaborative SPARK Chat September
2025-09-16 18:00 - 19:00
The Mississippi AI Collaborative is launching SPARK Chats: a monthly virtual gathering where community, technology, and innovation come together.
🎙️ Hosted by Krystal Chatman, EdS, with inspiring special guests each month, SPARK Chats is your chance to connect, learn, and shape the future of AI in Mississippi. Open to all, nationwide!
📅 First Session: September 16
🕕 Time: 6–7 PM
💻 Location: Online
Let’s build community around AI, spark new ideas, and open doors to opportunities across our state.
👉 Register now at https://lnkd.in/gDeKUG9u

The Bean Path Tech Talk (7th Anniversary Edition)
2025-10-17 12:00 - 14:00
Join The Bean Path Tech Talk (7th Anniversary Edition): Bean Path Then, Now & Next! Founding board members Dr. Amber Johnson Avery, Ivan Walker, and Dr. Nashlie Sephus will share the story of how The Bean Path began, how technology has evolved along the way, and their vision for the future.
Register here: https://www.beanpath.org/event-details/day-5-7th-anniversary-tech-talk

Mastering Your Books: Essential Accounting for Mississippi Small Businesses
2026-02-24 12:00 - 13:00
Empower your Mississippi-based business with foundational financial skills in this interactive webinar from ConnectMS, a partnership between the Mississippi SBDC Network and InnovateMS. Discover the critical difference between bookkeeping and accounting, explore key reports like Profit & Loss, Cash Flow, and Balance Sheets, and learn practical strategies to avoid cash pitfalls, make informed decisions, and prepare for growth. Ideal for entrepreneurs aiming to boost financial literacy and readiness—join us to turn your numbers into success!
Tuesday February 24th 12-1pm CST
Register here: https://startupspace.app/v2/dynamic-survey/view/402/10600

Financing to Fit your Business
2026-03-31 12:00 - 13:00
The wrong money can cost you more than no money at all, and chasing the wrong money costs you your time. High-growth companies must align their financing strategy with their stage, business model, and long-term vision. In this webinar, Tony Jeff of Innovate Mississippi will break down debt, equity, and alternative funding options and share what investors truly look for when evaluating opportunities. Whether you’re scaling a venture-backed startup or building a strong growth company, you’ll learn how to pursue capital strategically.
Register here:

https://startupspace.app/v2/dynamic-survey/view/402/10676

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.

MSBDCN event - Get Expert Help on Your Business Plan Today
2026-04-01 08:00 - 17:00
It’s time to move your business plan forward—together.
Join us for this no-cost, live webinar led by Mississippi SBDC Network counselors, where you’ll get practical guidance and personalized support to help you regain momentum and confidently continue building your business plan.
Developing a business plan is one of the most important challenges you will face as an entrepreneur. The process of developing a good business plan requires an understanding and appreciation for the tools required to do it right.
This workshop was developed to guide you through that process and give you a hands-on systematic way to develop an outline, investigate and evaluate the resources and create a draft of your own business plan. In this workshop, we’ll show you how to:

Research and analyze the individual components needed for a business plan
Apply skills to create a business plan for different audiences, including investor
and banks.
Explain the purpose and future of your business in easy to understand terms
Describe your marketing, sales, and planning strategies and more
Learn how your finished plan should look in this live webinar!

Live Q&A session! Write your business planning questions down in advance, to ask them during the webinar.
Speaker(s):
April Williams, Mississippi SBDC
Dr. Alex White ED.D, Training Specialist
REGISTRATIONS ENDS 24 HOURS BEFORE THE EVENT! SIGN UP TODAY!
Learn More

Get Expert Help on Your Business Plan Today!
2026-04-23 08:00 - 17:00
It’s time to move your business plan forward—together.
Join us for this no-cost, live webinar led by Mississippi SBDC Network counselors, where you’ll get practical guidance and personalized support to help you regain momentum and confidently continue building your business plan.
Developing a business plan is one of the most important challenges you will face as an entrepreneur. The process of developing a good business plan requires an understanding and appreciation for the tools required to do it right.
This workshop was developed to guide you through that process and give you a hands-on systematic way to develop an outline, investigate and evaluate the resources and create a draft of your own business plan. In this workshop, we’ll show you how to:

Research and analyze the individual components needed for a business plan
Apply skills to create a business plan for different audiences, including investor and banks.
Explain the purpose and future of your business in easy to understand terms
Describe your marketing, sales, and planning strategies and more
Learn how your finished plan should look in this live webinar!

Live Q&A session! Write your business planning questions down in advance, to ask them during the webinar.
Speakers:

April Williams, Mississippi SBDC
Dr. Alex White ED.D, Training Specialist

Sign Up Today: https://clients.mississippisbdc.org/reg.aspx?mode=event&event=1460031

A Small Business Owner's Basic Guide to Cashflow
2026-04-28 13:30 - 14:30
Cash flow can be one of the biggest challenges for small business owners.
This month’s ConnectMS LIVE Webinar is focused on helping you better understand and manage your numbers.

A Small Business Owner’s Basic Guide to Cash Flow
📅 Tuesday, April 28
⏰ 1:30–2:30 PM
🎤 Don Calcote, Project Director, Mississippi SBDC Network

In this session, you will learn how to:

Understand where your money is coming from and where it is going
Avoid cash shortages and stay financially on track
Use your numbers to make better day-to-day business decisions

Whether you are just getting started or looking to improve your financial process, this webinar will give you practical insights you can use right away.

👉 Register now: https://fluoriq.com/

A Small Business Owner's Basic Guide to Cash Flow
2026-04-28 13:30 - 14:30
Cash flow can be one of the biggest challenges for small business owners.
This month’s ConnectMS LIVE Webinar is focused on helping you better understand and manage your numbers.

A Small Business Owner’s Basic Guide to Cash Flow
📅 Tuesday, April 28
⏰ 1:30–2:30 PM
🎤 Don Calcote, Project Director, Mississippi SBDC Network

In this session, you will learn how to:

Understand where your money is coming from and where it is going
Avoid cash shortages and stay financially on track
Use your numbers to make better day-to-day business decisions

Whether you are just getting started or looking to improve your financial process, this webinar will give you practical insights you can use right away.

👉 Register now: https://startupspace.app/v2/dynamic-survey/view/402/10724

Entity Selection for Startups and Small Businesses
2026-05-26 12:00 - 13:00
Choosing the right business structure is one of the most important early decisions a founder can make, and the wrong setup can create costly challenges down the road.
Join Innovate Mississippi and GranthamPoole for a practical webinar designed to help entrepreneurs and small business owners better understand the differences between LLCs, S Corps, C Corps, and other entity structures. Michael Langdon, Enrolled Agent and Certified Financial Planner with GranthamPoole, will walk through the pros and cons of each option and explain how those choices can impact taxes, operations, growth, and long-term planning.
This session will also cover foundational startup topics including:
• Setting up your business correctly
• Tax considerations and common mistakes
• Opening business banking accounts
• Establishing bookkeeping and financial systems
• Key considerations for startups and growing businesses
Whether you are launching a new company or reevaluating your current structure, this webinar will provide practical guidance to help you build a stronger financial foundation.
Tuesday, May 26
12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
Virtual Webinar
Register Here: https://startupspace.app/v2/dynamic-survey/view/402/10739
