Innovate Mississippi

Mississippi Aerospace and Defense Symposium 2025
2025-10-22 - 2025-10-24 | Golden Nugget Biloxi Hotel & Casino, 151 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, MS, 39530, United States
SAVE THE DATE OCTOBER 22-24, 2025

REGISTRATION OPENS JUNE 13
The Mississippi Aerospace and Defense Symposium (MADS) is an annual event, co-hosted by Mississippi Enterprise for Technology and the Aerospace and Defense Alliance of Mississippi. MADS rotates between the state’s different research institutions to highlight business opportunities across the industry and bring together industry executives, academic institutions, government officials and economic developers. MADS features networking opportunities, presentations on industry forecasts and highlights Mississippi’s assets including research centers, workforce training programs, and contracting opportunities.
Learn more here: https://mset.org/mississippi-aerospace-and-defense-symposium-2025/

TEDx Southern Miss
2025-10-30 13:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | 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 Hattiesburg
2025-11-20 16:00 - 18:00
Want to grow your business and connect with other entrepreneurs in the Pinebelt?
Join CONNECT in Hattiesburg, a monthly networking event for small business owners and startup founders. Whether starting out or scaling up, it’s your chance to share ideas, solve challenges, and build relationships with people who understand the journey. Co-hosted by Innovate Mississippi and the Mississippi Polymer Institute at USM, CONNECT offers tools, guidance, and resources to strengthen the startup community. The next event is on November 20th at 4 PM at the Brass Hat in the Hotel Indigo in Hattiesburg.
The event is free. RSVP and let us know you are coming. https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/1d68d49f-88f8-4c87-b814-91bd65681f41

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.

CONNECT: Networking for Entrepreneurs
2025-12-04 16:30 - 18:30, 2026-03-05 16:30 - 18:30, 2026-04-02 16:30 - 18:30 | 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

Winter Practice Pitch
2025-12-09 13:00 - 16:00
Get a head start on your big ideas! Our Winter Practice Pitch is an opportunity for innovators, entrepreneurs, and students to test their concepts in front of a supportive audience before the main pitch competition in May. Participants will receive constructive feedback to strengthen their presentations, refine their messaging, and boost their confidence. Whether you’re polishing a business plan or exploring a new idea, this practice round is designed to help you grow and prepare for success.
Register here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/fhm67w9

CONNECT Hattiesburg
2025-12-09 16:30 - 18:30
Want to grow your business and connect with other entrepreneurs? Join us in Hattiesburg for CONNECT, a monthly networking event designed for small business owners and startup founders in the Pinebelt region. 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.
CONNECT is co-hosted by Innovate Mississippi, the state’s leader in supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, and the Mississippi Polymer Institute (MPI) at USM, which offers hands-on support and technical expertise for growing businesses. Together, they bring valuable connections, guidance, and tools to help strengthen the local startup community. Our next event takes place after our Winter Practice Pitch event on Tuesday, December 9th at 4:30 PM at Patio 44 in Hattiesburg. Expect 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.
RSVP here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/075a79d2-20d3-4bb0-8e22-ae9421833366

MSU at MCity Holiday Social
2025-12-16 16:00 - 18:00
Join us as we bring together founders, mentors, and ecosystem partners for an evening of connection and celebration at MCity. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, Key City beer, and plenty of holicay cheer as we wrap up an incredible year of innovation in Vicksburg.
RSVP Here

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

CONNECT Hattiesburg
2026-01-22 16:30 - 18:30 | Glory Bound Gyro Co., 6174 US Hwy. 49, Hattiesburg, MS, 39401, United States
Attention Startups and Entrepreneurs: Want to grow your business and connect with other entrepreneurs? Join MPI in Hattiesburg for a CONNECT event, a monthly, informal gathering designed for startups and entrepreneurs in the 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 opportunity to exchange ideas, tackle challenges, and build relationships with like-minded individuals who understand the entrepreneurial journey. Make connections, seek and give guidance, and strengthen the local startup community on Thursday, January 22nd at 4:30 PM at Glory Bound 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.
Register Here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/a0418899-008c-4851-98b6-c0b9b1293389

DoW SciTechCONNECT Mississippi Regional Pop-Up Event
2026-01-28 09:00 - 15:00 | Jackson State University Student Center, 1328 John R. Lynch Street, Jackson, MS, 39203, United States
The Department of War (DoW), in collaboration with the Applied Research Institute and Jackson State University, is hosting a SciTechConnect Regional Pop-Up event in Jackson, Mississippi, on Wednesday, January 28th, 2026.
With the goal of breaking down barriers of entry, this event is designed to educate, motivate, and inspire new potential performers from small businesses, industry, and academia to engage with the Department of War to grow the national security innovation ecosystem.
This one-day event offers a unique opportunity to gain insights into the DoW through engaging sessions led by DoW officials and staff. Additionally, participants will have the chance to ask questions and get answers directly from DoW leadership.
Register here: https://events.bizzabo.com/780508/home

Ignite 2026 Leadership Conference
2026-01-29
Ignite is a half-day leadership experience designed to ignite your potential and elevate your impact, whether you’re a seasoned leader, an emerging talent, or part of a team that wants to grow together. Hosted by the Community Development Foundation, this conference brings world-class speakers, energizing peer-to-peer interaction, and practical takeaways all under one roof right here in Northeast Mississippi.
Expect a high-energy morning filled with powerful insights from dynamic keynote speakers, real-world leadership strategies you can implement immediately, and meaningful connections with other professionals who are passionate about growth, community, and influence. Ignite is more than just talks — it’s an opportunity to expand your network, sharpen your leadership skills, and come away inspired to lead with confidence.
What’s included:
✨ Insightful presentations from top leadership voices
✨ Networking with local and regional leaders
✨ Free coffee, soft drinks & snacks
✨ Practical tools and action steps for your leadership journey
✨ Optional continuing education credit information available onsite
Whether you’re building influence in your organization, developing your team’s leadership capacity, or simply ready for a spark that pushes you forward, Ignite 2026 delivers inspiration and practical value in a collaborative, upbeat environment.
Register here: https://www.igniteleadership.com/

MSU Startup Expedition
2026-01-30 - 2026-01-31
Startup Weekend is now Startup Expedition!
MSU’s Startup Weekend is now a 3-part journey—Startup Expedition—designed to take ideas from spark to showcase.

Startup Basecamp (Jan 30–31, 2026 @ MCITy, Vicksburg): A two-day launchpad where participants form teams, explore technologies, and begin the climb toward Startup Summit.
Startup Elevate (February – mid-March): A hybrid 6-week guided program covering customer discovery, technology development planning, competitive research, business model design, financials, and pitch prep.
Startup Ascent (late March): Teams pitch at the local DAWG Tank pitch competition, presenting newly developed commercial opportunities to a panel of judges. Winners advance to Startup Summit, (April) Mississippi State University’s statewide showcase of top startups alongside student founders from across the country.

Register Here

Mississippi Health Innovation Conference 2026
2026-02-02 08:00 - 17:00
The Mississippi Health Innovation Conference is a collaboration between the School of Business Administration at the University of Mississippi and some of the most renowned physicians, innovators, educators, investors, payers, providers, and policymakers who are leading the future of healthcare in the US.
Register here: www.mshic.org

MEDC 2026 Legislative Reception
2026-02-05 17:00 - 19:00 | Fertile Ground Beer Co., 800 Manship St Suite 101, Jackson, MS, 39202
Join economic developers, Chambers of Commerce and industry partners from across Mississippi to connect with peers and state leaders during the legislative session. This reception provides a pertinent opportunity to promote and raise awareness of key legislative priorities that impact economic development statewide.
Date & Time:
February 5, 2026
5 – 7 PM

Location: Fertile Ground
800 Manship Street, Jackson, MS 39202

Cost: Free to attend – registration required. Register here: https://medcms.memberzone.com/events/details/medc-2026-legislative-reception-1201

MPI Sustainability Challenge
2026-02-23 - 2026-03-06
Help tackle hard-to-recycle plastics, including polystyrene, PVC, PET, films, and plastic bags. Choose your track. Create a scalable and market-ready solution in the Innovation Track, or turn plastic waste into powerful artwork in the Art Track. This challenge is your chance to rethink plastic, reduce landfill impact, and show how creativity and innovation can drive sustainability.
Location: Mississippi Polymer Institute, 46 Shelby Thames Dr, Hattiesburg, MS 39402
Date and time: Feb 23, 3:00 PM – Mar 6, 3:00 PM
Register Here

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

3rd Coast Venture Summit
2026-03-10 - 2026-03-12
The Gulf South, known as the 3rd Coast, is an emerging center of venture activity where experienced talent and global-caliber resources fuel the next generation of high-growth companies.
Encompassing Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, the 3rd Coast is establishing itself alongside the East and West coasts as a credible, investable startup region.
3rd Coast Venture Summit convenes founders, investors, and corporate partners at the center of this momentum, creating a focused environment for connection, capital, and scale.
Learn more- https://3rdcoastventuresummit.com

FoundersPlus Spring Cohort – Now Accepting Applications
2026-03-11 18:00 - 19:00
Applications Open: Monday, February 23
Applications Close: Friday, March 6 at 8:00 AM
Program Kickoff: Wednesday, March 11 at 6:00 PM

FoundersPlus will meet each Wednesday virtually at 6:00 PM from March 11 through April 8 (five consecutive weeks).

This structured webinar series is designed to help early-stage founders gain clarity, traction, and momentum as they build and grow their ventures.
Application link: https://airtable.com/appA3cnVKTqDfNuMC/pagyxhbct4Xd2zuT9/form

Canva Basics for Beginners
2026-03-19 13:00 - 15:00
A hands-on class that shows you how to design simple, eye-catching graphics using Canva. Create a flyer or social post from scratch and work on a design you’re proud to share. No experience needed—computers provided, or bring your own laptop
Register here: https://www.beanpath.org/event-details/canva-basics-for-beginners-day-class-1-3pm-10

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

IDEA Institute
2026-03-25
Got a startup idea—or ready to take your business to scale? Applications are now open for the Spring 2026 IDEAinstitute cohort at The Idea Village.
IDEAinstitute is a 12-week hybrid accelerator for early-stage entrepreneurs ready to level up. Whether you’re refining a new concept or finally bringing that idea to life, this program gives you the structure, support, and startup fundamentals to launch with confidence.
What you’ll get:
✅ Weekly founder sessions & 1:1 coaching
✅ Tools and frameworks to launch a scalable venture
✅ Training in the Lean Startup Method
✅ A shot at Spring Pitch Night
✅ A community of founders, investors, and mentors
Alumni have gone on to raise funding, grow revenue, and join later-stage accelerators—starting with the foundation they built in IDEAinstitute.
Apply by March 25, 2026 by submitting a founder profile here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdDjiG1_lG4CElu4TD9GZQUdHaK1ALQJ-f5ZAyO-OstpmKbgg/viewform?mc_cid=2d84e3e571&mc_eid=5e1a4a661f

MSU at MCity Pitch Competition
2026-03-26 13:00 - 17:00 | MCITY Vicksburg, 1622 Washington St, Vicksburg, MS, 39180, United States
Join us at the DAWG Tank 2026 Pitch Event 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.
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.

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

Mississippi State E-Center Pitch Competition
2026-04-10 08:30 - 18:30 | The Mill at MSU, 600 Russell St, Starkville, MS, 39759, United States
Join us at the Mississippi State E-Center 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.
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.
Learn more: https://ecenter.msstate.edu/startupsummit/

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/
