Innovate Mississippi

Fish 2.0 Gulf Coast Workshop - Reception and Pitch Sessions
2019-02-13 15:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago) | GCRL Marine Education Center, 101 Sweet Bay Drive, Ocean Springs, 39564, United States
The USM Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center is helping host the Fish 2.0 Gulf Coast Workshop in conjunction with Monica Jain, founder and Executive Director of Fish 2.0 and MS-AL Sea Grant.
You’re invited to attend the pitch session and the reception. The event begins at 3pm February 13th at the USM Marine Education Center, Conference Room (101 Sweet Bay Drive Ocean Springs, MS 39564). If you would like a tour of the Aquaculture Center, it will begin at 2pm and conclude by the start of the event.
Fish 2.0 is a unique opportunity to grow small businesses focused on various types of aquaculture including technologies, feeds, traceability, consumer product innovation and other topics. As a participant in the industry and investors event, it is an opportunity to hear the workshop participants pitch their ideas, gain access and insights into innovations and network.

TEDx Jackson 2019
2019-02-14 09:00 - 15:00
The TEDxJackson team returns this year to bring you “The Next 200,” an exploration of “ideas worth spreading” about the next 200 years of our city, our state and the world at large. Speakers will examine the ideas, perspectives, challenges and solutions that will shape our future, from both a near term and far-reaching point of view. They are planning a day filled with exciting ideas, captivating speakers and unique experiences. The one-day event will be held at the auditorium of the new Two Mississippi Museums complex in downtown Jackson.
The TEDxJackson team brought Mississippi’s first TEDx event to Jackson in 2014 with a conference themed “Fertile Ground.” The event featured the celebrated return of Jim Henson’s Kermit the Frog to Mississippi to give the muppet’s first-ever TEDx talk. Since that time, the team has produced two additional TEDx events, “Lift Off,” in 2015, and a TEDxJacksonWomen conference in 2016.

Startup Weekend Jackson 2019
2019-03-01 - 2019-03-03 | Coalesce, 109 North State St, Jackson, MS, 39201, United States
SAVE THE DATE! Startup Weekend allows individuals or teams to go through the process of creating a company, validating a product and presenting to the group. Great practice and experience—and it’s tons of fun!
Register here >>

2019 Innovate Mississippi Legislative Open House
2019-03-05 16:30 - 18:30 | Innovate Mississippi’s Jackson Office, 121 North State Street, Suite 500, Jackson, MS, United States
Held at the Innovate Mississippi offices in downtown Jackson, we invite Mississippi legislators and area leaders to learn more about Innovate Mississippi and our initiatives for growing the innovation ecosystem in 2019. Hors D’oeuvres, beverages on the rooftop patio; meet our entrepreneurs; experience virtual reality.

Tech JXN 2019
2019-04-16 - 2019-04-17
Tech JXN is a two-day presentation of the value inherent in the City of Jackson and its geographic region as an attractive business hub for Tech.
Overview:
TECHNOLOGY – Highlight the region as a connected business community with high-speed
broadband and an active entrepreneurial tech-innovation ecosystem
EDUCATION – Highlight 7 local institutions of higher education as Talent Development
Pipelines producing a STEM-educated workforce prepared for a global Innovation Economy
CREATIVITY – Highlight the creative arts as an economic driver in the Innovation Economy
HEALTHCARE – Highlight the region’s strong focus on health technologies and innovation, including the Jackson Medical Mall and UM Medical Center

MagnoliaJS
2019-04-17 - 2019-04-18
MagnoliaJS is Mississippi’s inaugural JavaScript and coding conference. If you are interested in JavaScript or other topics related to web development, this conference is for you. Whether you are a seasoned professional, a bootcamp or college student, a self-taught dev, or anywhere in between, this conference is for you.

The Health Innovation and Transformation Forum (HIT Forum)
2019-05-21 08:00 - 17:00 | Norman C. Nelson Student Union, 2500 N. State Street, Jackson, MS, 39216, United States
The University of Mississippi Medical Center’s 2nd Annual Health Innovation and Transformation (HIT) Forum is an interactive event where health innovators from UMMC and across the state will share their ideas for improving the health of Mississippians. The HIT Forum will feature a startup pitch competition for innovative health care solutions from anywhere in the world.
The University of Mississippi Medical Center is looking towards home grown innovation and partnerships with leading innovators from around the globe to reach that goal. Please enter and/or attend if you are interested in learning how Mississippi is innovating in health care or if you are interested in working with us to move the needle towards a healthier Mississippi.
Schedule:
10:00am Welcome and Keynote Speakers
10:45am Break
11:00am Startup Catfish Tank
12:00pm Keynote Speaker/Lunch
1:00pm Innovation Working Session
2:30pm Innovation PITCH Competition
3:30pm Fireside Chat
4:30pm Reception

UM Tech Summit
2019-08-28 08:00 - 13:00 | Gertrude Castellow Ford Center for the Performing Arts, 100 University Avenue, University, MS, 38677, United States
The Summit will bring together leaders from government, business, and higher education to explore trends in technology and to stimulate discussions about technology-related needs in industry and education.
Guest of Honor
U.S. Senator Roger Wicker
Chairman, Senate Commerce Committee
Keynote Speaker
David Cohen
Senior Executive Vice President, Comcast Corporation
Guest Speaker
Ajit Pai
Chairman, United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Register here: http://techsummit.olemiss.edu/register-now/

4th Annual "Money Purpose Success" Summit
2019-09-07 | Greenville Higher Education Center, 2900 MS-1, Greenville, MS, 38701, United States
The “Money Purpose Success” (MPS/#MoneyPurposeSuccess) Summit was started by Higher Purpose Co. over four years ago, and continues to celebrate Black women and provide a positive space to learn and grow.
We know business ownership is one way families can build generational wealth. Higher Purpose Co. brings together resources and nationally recognized entrepreneurs to help Black women entrepreneurs.
The MPS Summit was also recently recognized by the Mississippi Development Authority for creating a unique experience for local residents and tourists from across the region.

USACE Innovation Summit 2019
2019-09-17 - 2019-09-18 | U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS, 39180, United States
A high-profile networking event with national visibility, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Innovation Summit 2019 will attract industry, government, and academic participants by featuring presentations, exhibits, tech challenges, and opportunities for collaboration and partnerships.

Agenda
All activities will be held at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) at the Waterways Experiment Station (WES), Headquarters Building. For the most up-to-date information, please download the 2019 USACE Innovation Summit Mobile App from the Apple App Store or Google Play. (Mobile App Coming Soon) or visit https://www.erdcwerx.org/agenda.html

Rural Rise Summit 2019
2019-09-17 - 2019-09-19 | Pine Bluff Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Dr, Pine Bluff, AR, 71601, United States
Committed to the rise of entrepreneurship in rural areas.

Exploring Innovative Partnerships
Increasing Access to Opportunity
Measuring Success Differently
Considering Multi-Generational Approach
Changing Mind Sets, Building Capacity
Making Entrepreneurhsip Language Accessible
Identity Programs that work and Scale
Developing and Sharing Rural Success Stories

Mississippi Digital Government Summit
2019-09-17 08:00 - 17:00 | Jackson Marriott, 200 East. Amite Street, Jackson, 39201, United States
Government Technology’s passion is helping spread best practices and spurring innovation in the public sector. The Mississippi Digital Government Summit is designed to do just that. The summit has an advisory board that gathers public sector and private sector leaders to create an agenda that is relevant and actionable to the state and local government organizations attending the summit. Participants tell us they use the inspirational keynotes, leadership discussions, networking breaks, and timely topics discussed in the numerous breakout sessions to help advance the goals of their organizations and their own career paths.
Topics Include:

Navigating the Cloud
Cybersecurity Resources – You’re Not Alone
Data Revolution
A Workplace Culture for the Future
Emerging Trends and Technologies
Digital Transformation
Project Management Best Practices

Lobaki Open House
2019-09-19 17:00 - 20:00 | Lobaki, 736 S President St., Jackson, MS, 39201, United States
Come Tour Lobaki’s New Headquarters!

Meet the Team
Preview Lobaki’s newest applications
light snacks and drinks
open to all partners, collaborators, and friends of Lobaki
Oculus Quest Giveway!!

Please RSVP!

Southeastern Regional Opportunity Zone Summit
2019-09-30 - 2019-10-01 | Jackson Convention Complex, 105 E. Pascagoula Street, Jackson, MS, 39201, United States
The purpose of this two day event is to examine how the new federal Opportunity Zone incentive can accelerate regional efforts to build a stronger, more vibrant and resilient Southeast economy, and strengthen equitable growth in communities across Mississippi, the region and the country.
Opportunity Zones is a new initiative created under the 2017 Federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act which provides incentives for qualified investors to invest capital gains in distressed communities across the United States. The idea is based on bipartisan legislation originally introduced by Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and Corey Booker (D-NJ). According to estimates from the U.S. Treasury Department, up to $6 trillion in sidelined capital could move into 8700 eligible census tracts.
Day 1 of the event will address a known gap inhibiting future Opportunity Zone (OZ) program success: the lack of a robust, investable pipeline of projects that Qualified Opportunity Zone Funds can invest in and achieve desired returns. Training will be offered to help Southeastern communities be OZ-ready and promote cross-sectoral collaboration leveraging Opportunity Zones to drive local economic development.
Day 2 of the event will feature elected officials, economic developers, community leaders, private investors, and U.S. administration officials to discuss the power and promise of the new federal Opportunity Zone incentive.

Details

WHEN
September 30 & October 1, 2019
Day 1 | State & Local Opportunity Zone Boot Camp
Day 2 | Regional Opportunity Zone Strategies Summit
*Option to choose to attend single days or both.
WHERE
Jackson Convention Complex
105 East Pascagoula Street, Jackson, Mississippi
COST
Free to attendees

For more information, agenda and to register, please click the link below:
Opportunity Zone Summit 2019

Mississippi New Venture Challenge 2019
2019-10-03 13:00 - 19:00 | Clyde Muse Center, 515 Country Place Parkway, Pearl, MS, 39208, United States
Innovate Mississippi will present it’s 11th Annual Mississippi New Venture Challenge on Thursday, October 3, 2019 at the Clyde Muse Center on the Hinds Community College Campus in Pearl.
If you would like more information, please contact Tasha Bibb at 601.960.3624 or tbibb@innovate.ms.
Date: October 3, 2019
Location: Clyde Muse Center, 515 Country Place Parkway, Pearl, MS 39208; 601-936-1860.

Mississippi Capital Conference
2019-10-24 | Rick House, 717 Poplar Boulevard, Jackson, MS, 39201, United States
McLaughlin, PC’s inaugural Mississippi Capital Conference will be held October 24, 2019 . This event will provide attendees with an opportunity to hear about the upswing in early stage finance for technology and innovation-based startups and emerging companies located in Mississippi. Attendees will also learn about what early stage finance opportunities exist in Mississippi, how to prepare for a successful investor pitch, and the nuances of the fundraising process.
Topics will include:

Where to find early stage capital in Mississippi
How to prepare for the fundraising process
The mechanics of closing the deal
What investors are looking for in investable companies

The Mississippi Capital Conference will be held at the Rick House located at 717 Poplar Boulevard in Jackson. The event will begin with a luncheon at 11:30 a.m. and include a keynote address from Joel Bomgar, the founder of Bomgar Corporation, a Mississippi based remote support solution.
The Mississippi Capital Conference will conclude late afternoon with a networking reception where company founders and investors will have an opportunity to meet and exchange ideas. Attendees must preregister and space is limited. Click Here to register!

Oceans in Action Workshop
2019-11-04 - 2019-11-06 | Courtyard Marriott Beachfront, 1600 Beach Blvd, Gulfport, MS, 39501, United States
The local Section of the Marine Technology Society (MTS) and the Mississippi Enterprise for Technology (MSET) invite you to attend the annual Oceans In Action Workshop. The event will take place at the Courtyard Marriott Beachfront in Gulfport, MS on Nov 4-6, 2019. Visit www.mtsociety.org/oceans-in-action/ to learn more about this event.
What’s Oceans in Action All About?
It’s the premier Gulf Coast regional marine technology event focusing on emerging technologies – bringing together federal, state, local, and private organizations for presentations, business-to-business/business-to-government meetings, exhibits of the latest technology, and pier-side demonstrations in association with the Advanced Naval Technology Exercise Gulf Coast.
NEW this year!

Expanded pier-side demonstrations supporting the Advanced Naval Technology Exercise Gulf Coast
High-level presentations and panels by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
More panels and meetings focused on how to do business with these and other federal agencies

To learn more contact Laurie Jugan at 228-688-1192 or at lajconsulting@bellsouth.net

Graphene Innovation & Research Conference
2019-11-19 08:00 - 2019-11-20 17:00 | The Westin Jackson, 407 South Congress Street , Jackson, MS, 39201, United States
This two-day conference will bring together leaders from academia, industry, and government funding agencies to focus on recent advances in graphene innovation and research, bridging the gap between lab and industry and enabling graphene-focused technologies.

During the event, leaders from the government, universities, national labs, and industries will convene to discuss strategies through which graphene can be leveraged to elevate already existing industries, create new high paying jobs, attract new companies and businesses and nurture and support spin off companies from the graphene academic and university network.
The conference will also incorporate a design competition with $15,000 in prizes for five companies. More info on the competition page.

Connect: Networking for Entrepreneurs
2020-01-09 16:30 - 18:30, 2020-02-06 16:30 - 18:30 | Cultivation Food Hall, 1200 Eastover Dr Suite 125, Jackson, 39211, United States
Innovate Mississippi Presents: Connect, an opportunity for entrepreneurs, mentors, and innovation ecosystem leaders to network, connect and form meaningful relationships.
Connect will be held the first Thursday of every month at the Cultivation Food Hall in The District. Cash Bar and plenty of food options will be available for you to purchase while you mingle. Due to the holidays, the first event will be January 9th (second Thursday) from 4:30 – 6:30. Please RSVP!

LUNCH WITH THE SOURCE - Tupelo | Before You Press Send
2020-02-19 11:30 - 12:30 | Community Development Foundation, 398 East Main Street, Tupelo, MS, United States
Description from the Source: Many professionals today tend to multitask with email. Any emailed correspondence bearing your name must be absolutely error-free. Even a careless mistake in an email can damage a leader’s reputation and make an entire workgroup look bad. Solutions lie in this fast-moving interactive lunch-and-learn targeted for anyone responsible for overseeing outgoing correspondence and email throughout the business day.

Participants will learn:

* The top seven credibility-robbing email mistakes and how to avoid them
* The importance of a complete email subject line—and how to write one consistently every time
* How to get a grip on your inbox with a few email management tips
* How to make sure your e-messages are absolutely error-free with no embarrassing typos or mistakes
* BONUS: You’ll walk away with three tangible writing tools you can use immediately back at the office.

NOTE: Membership in The Source is required. Click here for more info.

LUNCH WITH THE SOURCE - Desoto | Before You Press Send
2020-02-20 11:30 - 12:30 | 1 Memphis Street, 2467 Memphis Street, Hernando, MS, United States

The MENT Event
2020-02-28 - 2020-02-29 | The Lyric Theater, 1006 Van Buren Ave, Oxford, Mississippi, 38655
What is MENT?
Ment is a conference for the modern woman looking to construct her own future & career.
What will I experience at MENT?
Our panelists and one-to-one mentors will address and talk through issues holding women back and how to overcome them.
From forming an LLC & learning how to use QuickBooks, to digital/social media marketing & approaching influencers – attendees will walk away from our time together prepped with valuable business understanding & skills.
Attendees will also experience opportunities for less formal social events with panelists and other attendees. Sip complimentary cocktails with like-minded women and open the door for collaborations, mentorships and overall networking.

Webinar: Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)
2020-03-26 18:00 - 19:30
Please join us on March 26, 2020, at 6 pm for the Economic Injury Disaster Loans Seminar.
The Entrepreneur and Innovation Center
Mississippi Development Authority
Whitney Jackson
Date and Time: March 26, 2020 from 6:00p to 7:30p
Presenters:

Mitch McDowell – Host
Nancy McKee – Presenter
Jon Zieren – Presenter
Derek Stephens – Presenter

Please register in advance for this meeting: https://olemiss.zoom.us/meeting/register/v5cof-6rqj0jVIvwVlNZ9TAarazKLD5r4A
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Note: We will be sending out registration invitations to those attendees who registered for last night’s presentation. Feel free to forward this email, capacity for registration is limited to 300 attendees so make sure to go ahead and get registered.

2020 Mississippi Entrepreneurship Forum
2020-04-02 - 2020-04-03 | Vicksburg Convention Center, 1600 Mulberry Street, Vicksburg, MS, 39180, United States
The 2020 Mississippi Entrepreneurship Forum will be held Thursday and Friday, April 2-3, 2020 at the Vicksburg Convention Center. The event will bring together leading entrepreneurs, economic developers, innovators, and future business owners to learn more about the current entrepreneurial climate and the future of entrepreneurship in Mississippi.
For the first time, the MEF will host a Student Business Pitch Competition that will take place on April 2, 2020.
Sponsored by the University of Mississippi’s McLean Institute for Public Service and Community Engagement, the event is part of the Catalyzing Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (CEED) initiative which is funded from a generous financial gift from the Robert M. Hearin Support Foundation. Now in its sixth year, the Mississippi Entrepreneurship Forum will provide working opportunities for aspiring business owners and thriving entrepreneurs to share practical and immediately useful information about building a business.
Additionally, attendees will hear best practices of successful case studies and learn more about resources and strategies available to entrepreneurs from institutions of higher education in Mississippi and other key organizations.
Panels on technology and innovation, student entrepreneurship, and the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem also will be conducted on April 3, 2020.
Previous Forums have been held in Clarksdale, Tupelo, Greenwood, Oxford, and Jackson.
MEF planning committee members include Allyson Best (University of Mississippi); Tasha Bibb (Innovate Mississippi); John Brandon (Mississippi College); Dr. Marty Brock (Mississippi University for Women); Ty Durham (Millsaps College); Saundra McFarland (Jackson State University); Janice Karcher (ERDCWERX); Dr. JR Love (University of Mississippi); Nash Nunnery (Mississippi Development Authority); Dr. Sheriece Robinson (Mississippi Community College Board); Jeffrey Rupp (Mississippi State University); Will Tabor (Mississippi Community College Board); James Wilcox (University of Southern Mississippi), and Dr. Glendscene Williams (Delta State University).
For more information about the 2020 Mississippi Entrepreneurship Forum, please go to meforum.olemiss.edu, or contact JR Love at jrlove@olemiss.edu or Tasha Bibb at tbibb@innovate.ms.

Magnolia JS Event
2020-04-15 - 2020-04-16 | Jackson Convention Complex, 105 E. Pascagoula Street, Jackson, MS, 39201, United States
Last year was our inaugural year for MagnoliaJS, and it was amazing. Planned in only 2 months, we still had 130+ attendees and top-tier speakers who flew in from all around the country to take part.
This year we are returning to continue our mission of growing the developer community in Mississippi and putting Mississippi “on the map” in tech.
Another novel thing about MagnoliaJS – everything is planned in public! You can always see our todos in our GitHub repo.
Speakers (more to be announced soon)

Nashlie Sephus, Amazon / The Bean Path – (@nashlie_s)
Jay Phelps – (@_jayphelps)
Tejas Kumar, G2i (@TejasKumar_)
Kayla Sween (@_KaylaSween)
Nader Dabit, AWS Mobile – (@dabit3)
Chris Ball, Echobind – (@cball_)
Tyler Clark – (@iamtylerwclark)
Michael Liendo, John Deere – (@mtliendo)
Chris DeMars, Tuft & Needle – (@saltnburnem)
Justin Samuels – (@ThugDebugger)

Additional Speakers
Additional speakers will be announced soon!

Technology Finds a Way! MSTUG 8th Annual Technology Expo - April 22, 2020 - REGISTRATION OPEN!
2020-04-22 09:00 - 15:00 | MS TradeMart, 1200 Mississippi Street, Jackson, MS, 39202, United States
On behalf of the officers and members of the Mississippi Technology User Group (MSTUG), I am pleased to announce registration is open for our annual Technology Expo for 2020. The date is Wednesday, April 22nd at the Mississippi Trade Mart in Jackson, MS from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm. This year’s theme is based on Jurassic Park/Jurassic World™ – “Technology Finds a Way.” We are encouraging vendors to decorate their booths with this dinosaur park theme in mind. This will be a competition and the attendees will vote on the best themed booth throughout the day. There will be a prize awarded!

Outbound Sales Strategies for Challenging Times
2020-04-29 12:00 - 13:00
Learn outbound sales strategies and tactics that will land your business more sales meetings with ideal prospects during these uncertain times.
Innovate Mississippi is launching a series of webinars for startups and small businesses. Join us Wednesday, April 29, 11:00AM-12:00PM for the first webinar in this series featuring Jonathan Sellers.
Jonathan is CEO and Founder of Spark Outbound, a digital marketing agency focused on helping startups, B2B businesses and franchises build efficient and scalable lead generation programs. Throughout his career, Jonathan has led digital marketing programs for companies ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies. He’s taken those combined experiences to help Spark Outbound clients identify and implement digital marketing strategies and tactics that will provide maximum impact to their bottom lines.
Register here >>

Connect Online - Virtual Networking
2020-05-07 16:30 - 18:30
Join us Thursday, May 7 from 4:30 to 6:30 for CONNECT fully remote. Like our previous CONNECT gatherings, this is an opportunity for entrepreneurs, mentors, and innovation ecosystem leaders to network while staying within the CDC’s recommended guidelines for social distancing.
We hope to continue our monthly CONNECT gatherings at Cultivation Food Hall in June, but for now, grab your favorite drink and join us from home. We hope to see you there!
The event is FREE, but registration is required.

Finding Top Tech Talent For Your Startup: Dr. Nashlie Sephus
2020-05-13 10:00 - 11:00
Join us for a chat with Dr. Nashlie Sephus to discuss how to find and hire a good Chief Technology Officer for your early-stage startup and how to navigate the CEO/CTO relationship. She’ll also answer your questions about building your base of technical talent for your organization.
