Innovate Mississippi

MSET Lunch & Learn
2015-02-19 11:30 - 13:30 (America/Chicago) | Stennis Space Center, John C. Stennis Space Center, MS, 39529, United States
The Mississippi Enterprise for Technology’s (MSET) February Lunch & Learn will feature a Stennis-based Security Cooperation and Security Assistance organization operating under the U.S. Special Operations Command. In addition, current and future international training programs offered by the Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School will be discussed and how such training impacts the security environment for more than 100 partner nations around the globe. The Lunch & Learn will also include plans for expansion of international training opportunities at Stennis Space Center and ways to identify potential opportunities and methods of interaction with this unique command.
Following the presentation, MSET mentor Matthew McLaughlin of Baker, Donaldson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz will speak on the Top 10 legal mistakes made by startups and small businesses.
Contact Belinda Gill at belinda.n.gill@nasa.gov or 228-688-3144 for more information.

Energy Efficiency and Combined Heat & Power Stakeholder Meeting and Workshop
2015-02-19 11:00 - 13:30 | Carpenter Mechanical Engineering Building, 210 Carpenter Engineering Bldg, Mississippi State University, MS, 39762, United States
Energy efficiency is an important, but often overlooked mechanism for cost savings in the industrial manufacturing, commercial and institutional sectors. Join us to gain the knowledge needed to evaluate energy consumption patterns, increase the efficiency of operations and implement on-site combined heat and power (CHP) generation.
Workshop target sectors:

Industrial manufacturers
Hospitals
Academic institutions

Who should attend?

Manufacturing operations managers
Facilities or building managers
Energy efficiency professionals
Utilities staff
Business and policy decision makers

Topics covered:

Industrial energy efficiency
Building a culture of energy efficiency
CHP system components
Is CHP right for your facility?
Barriers to CHP

Workshop Highlight: Tour of the Mississippi State University Micro-CHP building and the on-campus power generation system
Hosts: Mississippi State University, Mississippi Development Authority – Energy and Natural Resources Division and InnovateMEP Mississippi
Click here for more information.

Global Business Leadership Program
2015-02-19 08:00 - 16:00 | Unnamed Venue, Jackson, MS, United States
The Mississippi World Trade Center’s Global Business Leadership Program will educate participants on effective global management styles and provide insight into crucial cultural knowledge and strategies to strengthen business operations and competitiveness in a global marketplace.
Participants will gain an understanding of global leadership styles, conduct hands-on working experiences to solve real-world case, build confidence and proficiency with international relations, interact with industry experts, receive cutting-edge information and more!
Monthly in-person and online sessions will be held from February through November. The first and final meetings will be held in Jackson and additional venues will include industry-leading companies across the state that conduct business abroad.

Homegrown Enterprises: Mississippi Entrepreneurs Tell ‘How They Did It’
2015-02-17 19:00 - 20:00 | Gertrude C. Ford Academic Complex Recital Hall, 1701 North State St., Jackson, MS, 39210, United States
“Homegrown Enterprises: Mississippi Entrepreneurs Tell ‘How They Did It’” will feature Polly Dement, author of the recently published book, Mississippi Entrepreneurs, as well as Dr. Bill Cooley, Toni Cooley, Jeff Good, Dan Blumenthal and Joe Donovan.

Jackson Mississippi Angel Network Meeting
2015-02-10 17:30 - 19:00 | Unnamed Venue, Jackson, MS, United States
The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. with networking, light food and drinks. The presentations will begin at 6 p.m., each followed by a 10 minute Q&A.
If you are an accredited or institutional investor interested in reviewing these opportunities or attending a meeting near you, contact Lynlee Honea at lhonea@innovate.ms or 601-960-3610 for more information.
More information will be available soon.

2015 MEDC Winter Conference
2015-02-04 08:00 - 2015-02-06 17:00 | Hilton Hotel, 1001 East County Line Road, Jackson, MS, 39211, United States
The Mississippi Economic Development Council’s (MEDC) 2015 Winter Conference will feature The PONT Group and C-suite executives, tax professionals and international site consultants who will provide valuable insight on decision-making.

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Industry Day
2015-02-03 07:00 - 14:00 | Infinity Science Center, 1 Discovery Circle, Stennis Space Center, MS, 39529, United States
The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Industry Day event is hosted by the NASA Stennis Space Center (SSC) and the SSC Small Business Consortium as an opportunity for companies to learn more about doing business with NASA.
Attendees will hear from small business program managers and specialists from NASA headquarters and all centers, small business technical coordinators, prime contractor representatives and more. Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet with NASA Small Business Specialists and contractors.
SDVOSB companies, as well as all small businesses are encouraged to attend. If you have any special accommodation requirements, or would like to exhibit at the event, contact Robert Watts at smallbusiness@mail.nasa.gov.

6th Annual Next Generation Bio-Based & Sustainable Chemicals Summit
2015-02-03 - 2015-02-05 | Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, 900 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA, 70130, United States
The 6th Annual Next Generation Bio-Based & Sustainable Chemicals Summit will bring together bio-based tech startups, specialty and custom chemical manufacturers, chemical majors, feedstock providers, financiers and strategic venture capitalists to explore bio-based chemicals as the answer to a number of market drivers and opportunities.
The Next Generation Bio-Based & Sustainable Chemicals Summit is co-located with the InformEx Conference & Tradeshow in New Orleans. Registration for the Summit includes free admission to the InformEx Conference. The two events will come together for networking breaks, luncheons and a reception.
The joint event provides even greater impetus, recognition and opportunities for all participants and is poised to be the global launch platform for the chemicals and materials of the future.
Innovate Mississippi and Strategic Biomass Solutions are serving as a supporting organization for the Next Generation Bio-Based & Sustainable Chemicals Summit. Contact Dr. Sumesh Arora, vice president of Innovation Mississippi and director of Strategic Biomass Solutions, at sarora@innovate.ms or 601-960-3610 to learn how you can receive 10 percent off registration.

Starkville Mississippi Angel Network Meeting
2015-01-22 17:30 - 19:00 | Unnamed Venue, Starkville, MS, United States
The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. with networking, light food and drinks. The presentation will begin at 6 p.m. followed by a 10 minute Q&A.
The Mississippi Angel Network Winter Roadshow is featuring Flowood-based startup WiFi Streaming Network.
WiFi Streaming Network provides high schools, community colleges and churches with the tools to create a website to live stream and archive sporting and other events while producing revenue for the sponsoring entity.
The meeting will also include a recap of the Mississippi Angel Network’s activities in 2014.
If you are an accredited or institutional investor interested in reviewing these opportunities or attending a meeting near you, contact Lynlee Honea at lhonea@innovate.ms or 601-960-3610 for more information.

Tupelo Mississippi Angel Network Meeting
2015-01-13 17:30 - 19:00 | Unnamed Venue, Tupelo, MS, United States

Capital Day
2015-01-08 08:30 - 13:30 | Jackson Marriott, 200 East. Amite Street, Jackson, 39201, United States
The Mississippi Economic Council’s (MEC) Capital Day offers business and community leaders from across Mississippi the opportunity to meet one-on-one with legislators, hear the latest on MEC’s Legislative Agenda and learn what’s on tap for the upcoming legislative session.
The event will begin with a morning session at the Jackson Marriott, continues with briefings at the State Capitol and concludes with a reception with statewide local officials at the Jackson Marriott.

Gulf Coast Mississippi Angel Network Meeting
2014-12-11 17:30 - 19:00 | Unnamed Venue, Gulfport, MS, United States
The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. with networking, light food and drinks. The presentation will begin at 6 p.m. followed by a 10 minute Q&A.
The Mississippi Angel Network Winter Roadshow is featuring Flowood-based startup WiFi Streaming Network.
WiFi Streaming Network provides high schools, community colleges and churches with the tools to create a website to live stream and archive sporting and other events while producing revenue for the sponsoring entity.
The meeting will also include a recap of the Mississippi Angel Network’s activities in 2014 and an update on the potential crowdfunding legislation for the state of Mississippi.
If you are an accredited or institutional investor interested in reviewing these opportunities or attending a meeting near you, contact Lynlee Honea at lhonea@innovate.ms or 601-960-3610 for more information.

Renewable Energy Venture Startup (REVSup) Workshop
2014-12-08 08:00 - 17:00 | Orange County Convention Center, 9990 International Drive, Orlando, FL, 32819, United States
As part of the Renewable Energy World Conference and Expo: North America, Dr. Sumesh Arora, vice president of Innovate Mississippi, and Tony Jeff, president and CEO of Innovate Mississippi, will present the Renewable Energy Venture Startup (REVSup) course.
This course is targeted at entrepreneurs, researchers, project developers, technology-transfer professionals, policy-makers, investors and economic developers (local, regional and those representing utility companies) who are working on developing innovative technologies and/or providing support in bringing new clean energy technologies to market.
REVSup was created to help emerging cleantech ventures reach the marketplace in an economically viable manner. The course is based on a comprehensive methodology that will help entrepreneurs and investors alike understand the risks involved and the readiness level of a venture and will include valuable information on how to develop an elevator pitch.

Gulf Coast Mississippi Angel Network Meeting
2014-12-03 18:00 - 19:30 | Unnamed Venue, Gulfport, MS, United States
The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. with networking, light food and drinks. The presentation will begin at 6 p.m. followed by a 10 minute Q&A.
The Mississippi Angel Network Winter Roadshow is featuring Flowood-based startup WiFi Streaming Network.
WiFi Streaming Network provides high schools, community colleges and churches with the tools to create a website to live stream and archive sporting and other events while producing revenue for the sponsoring entity.
The meeting will also include a recap of the Mississippi Angel Network’s activities in 2014.
If you are an accredited or institutional investor interested in reviewing these opportunities or attending a meeting near you, contact Lynlee Honea at lhonea@innovate.ms or 601-960-3610 for more information.
Contact Lynlee Honea at lhonea@innovate.ms or 601-960-3610 for more information.

Combined Heat and Power Workshop
2014-12-02 09:00 - 16:00 | Mississippi Manufacturers Association, 720 N. President Street, Jackson, MS, 39202, United States
Energy efficiency is an important, but often overlooked mechanism for cost savings in the industrial manufacturing, commercial and institutional sectors. The Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Workshop is designed to give attendees the knowledge to:

Evaluate energy consumption patterns
Increase efficiency operations
Implement onsite combined CHP generation

Meals are included with registration. Space is limited, so register today.
Contact Dr. Sumesh Arora at sarora@innovate.ms or 601-960-3610 for more information.

State Broadband Summit
2014-12-02 08:00 - 13:30 | Jackson Convention Complex, 105 E. Pascagoula Street, Jackson, MS, 39201, United States
Join Governor Phil Bryant, Chairman Jim Barksdale and Commissioner Mignon Clyburn of the Federal Communications Commission for the Mississippi Broadband Connect Coalition’s (MBCC) fourth State Broadband Summit.
Don’t miss the announcement of new initiatives that will continue the work of MBCC. Representatives of telecommunications companies, business leaders, health care professionals, and state and local government personnel are encouraged to attend.

2014 World Trade Center Mississippi Annual Meeting and Global Business Awards Luncheon
2014-11-20 11:30 - 13:00 | Jackson Country Club, 345 St. Andrews Drive, Jackson, MS, 39211, United States
World Trade Center (WTC) Mississippi is hosting the 2014 Annual Meeting and Global Business Awards.
Barbara Travis will serve as master of ceremonies of the luncheon, which will focus on international business excellence, arts and culture, music and education. Miss Mississippi Jasmine Murray will provide entertainment.
The Tozzoli Award for Distinct International Business Leadership will be presented to Barry Cannada, chairman of the business department at Butler Snow. The award honors outstanding Mississippians who have attained national and international success while remaining loyal to and headquartered within the state of Mississippi.
Mississippi Senator Hillman Frazier will be presented the Global Understanding & Cultural Advocate Award for his immense contributions to the support of arts and cultural programs in the state.
The Crystal Globe Member of Distinction Award will be presented to former CEO of the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority, Dirk Vanderleest, who served the Airport Authority for 25 years, during which time he was a valued member of WTC Mississippi.
The Global Arts & Music Excellence Award will be presented to Mississippi musician, Raphael Semmes.
The meeting will include a brief report on this year’s accomplishments from WTC Mississippi board president Hunter Arnold, vice president of Waggoner Engineering.

Global Entrepreneurship Week
2014-11-17 08:00 - 2014-11-19 17:00 | Jackson State University, 1400 Lynch Street, Jackson, MS, 39217, United States
Jackson State University will host a conference in celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week, Nov. 17-19, 2014. The JSU Department of Entrepreneurship in the College of Business is sponsoring the event in partnership with the Kauffman Foundation.
Themed “Unleashing the Entrepreneur Within,” the conference will provide workshops covering topics on global opportunities in contracting; MDOT and MDA certification and training; marketing your business using social media; social entrepreneurship; and funding opportunities for women-owned small businesses.
The conference will also host a Tiger Tank competition for emerging entrepreneurs to pitch their business ideas. Leading business coaches at the Speed Networking Reception offered by WheretoGo411 will provide technical advice.
A highlight of the conference will be the Women Entrepreneurs Day Awards Luncheon, which will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 19, from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the JSU Student Center, Ballroom A.

Startup Weekend Starkville
2014-11-14 18:00 - 2014-11-16 21:00 | MS
Startup Weekend is a global grassroots movement of active and empowered entrepreneurs who are learning the basics of founding startups and launching successful ventures. It is the largest community of passionate entrepreneurs with more than 1,800 events in 120 countries around the world in 2014.
All Startup Weekend events follow the same basic model: anyone is welcome to pitch their startup idea and receive feedback from their peers. Teams organically form around the top ideas (as determined by popular vote) and then it’s a 54 hour frenzy of business model creation, coding, designing, and market validation. The weekends culminate with presentations in front of local entrepreneurial leaders with another opportunity for critical feedback.
Whether entrepreneurs found companies, find a cofounder, meet someone new or learn a skill far outside their usual 9-to-5, everyone is guaranteed to leave the event better prepared to navigate the chaotic, but fun world of startups.
More information on the Starkville event will be available soon.
All Startup Weekend Mississippi events are organized by Innovate Mississippi.
Like Startup Weekend Mississippi on Facebook!
Follow Startup Weekend Mississippi on Twitter!

Oxford Mississippi Angel Network Meeting
2014-11-13 17:30 - 19:00 | Unnamed Venue, Oxford, MS, United States
The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. with networking, light food and drinks. Company pitches will begin at 6 p.m. with two investment opportunities. Each company will give a 20 minute presentation with a 10 minute Q&A after.
More information will be available soon.
Contact Lynlee Honea at lhonea@innovate.ms or 601-960-3610 for more information.

School of Polymers and High Performance Materials High School Competition
2014-11-13 08:30 - 14:00 | Thames Polymer Science Research Center, 118 College Drive, Hattiesburg, 39406
More than 50 students from seven high schools in the state will participate in School of Polymers and High Performance Materials High School Competition, which is designed to encourage interest in science, including academic and career opportunities, among high school students and provide the opportunity for high school students to interact with polymer science faculty and students.
Activities include polymer materials experiments and demonstrations, problem solving activities, tours of the university’s internationally renowned polymer science research facilities and the popular Quiz Bowl.
Participating high schools include Hancock County, Hattiesburg, Marion County, Pascagoula, Petal and Simpson County.
Contact Kathy Lee at kathy.lee@usm.edu for more information.

13th Annual Southern BioProducts and Renewable Energy Conference
2014-11-13 08:00 - 17:00 | Trent Lott Center, 118 College Drive, Hattiesburg, MS, 39406, United States
The Mississippi Biomass and Renewable Energy Council (MBREC) will hold the 13th Annual Southern BioProducts and Renewable Energy Conference with the theme, “Innovations in Clean Energy,” in an effort to show how this sector can lead to economic development and job growth.
Interest in generating energy from no or low carbon emitting sources is at an all-time high. The push to do more with each unit of energy consumed is resulting in significant savings in nearly every sector of the economy – ranging from manufacturing and automotive to agriculture, health care and education.
The full-day event draws 150 attendees and offers excellent networking opportunities. Session topics will include innovative technologies in energy efficiency, biomass, solar energy, combined heat and power, and will cover creative solutions to financing such projects by bringing in funding from a variety of sources.
Sponsorship opportunities are now available. Contact Sumesh Arora at sarora@innovate.ms or 601-960-3659 for more information.
Click here to register.
More details will be available soon at www.ms-biomass.org.

MDA Small Business Fall Webinar Series
2014-11-12 12:00 - 12:50 | MS
Designed for small business, this webinar series will cover what you need to know to make your business more profitable.
Session 4: Get Your Head in the Cloud(s)
“Explore the benefits of cloud services”
Broadcasted from MSU Campus, Starkville
Watch the webinar(s) from your personal computer.

Jackson Mississippi Angel Network Meeting
2014-11-11 17:30 - 19:00 | Unnamed Venue, Ridgeland, MS, United States

TEDx Jackson
2014-11-06 13:00 - 17:00 | The Capri Theater, 3023 North State Street, Jackson, MS, 39206, United States
Mississippi is joining the global TED community with our state’s first TEDx event. TEDxJackson will be a day of amazing speakers from inside and outside Mississippi, sharing ideas that are relevant to our city, our state and the world. The theme of the event is “fertile ground,” a reflection of the great promise and untapped potential that exists in Jackson and throughout our state.

3rd Annual Louisiana/Gulf Coast IT Symposium
2014-11-06 07:30 - 17:00 | Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, 300 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA, 70130, United States
The 3rd Annual Louisiana IT Symposium is designed specifically for CIO’s and their executive management teams. This event will provide an opportunity for the region’s IT leadership to gather and explore new ways to maintain a competitive advantage in a global economy, and allow collaboration across the region’s Information Technology population.
The symposium will feature interactive breakout sessions with regional executives and industry leaders addressing the convergence of IT with other business imperatives. Keynote speakers and a CIO panel will discuss the latest IT trends. Throughout the day attendees will have ample networking opportunities with their peers from throughout the region.
Contact Mark Lewis at 504-905-4646 or mlewis@simmonswhite.com for more information.

Vicksburg Digital Summit
2014-11-05 09:00 - 16:00 | Vicksburg Convention Center, 1600 Mulberry Street, Vicksburg, MS, 39180, United States
Vicksburg is hosting a free digital summit presented by Alabama Media Group, Vicksburg CVB, Vicksburg Convention Center, Vicksburg Main Street and the Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce.
This event will feature experts in the field of digital marketing, speaking on topics such as online advertising, search engine optimization, responsive rich media and social media marketing.
Contact Ashley Nevels at dos@portofinohotelvicksburg.com or 601-629-9000 for more information.

Make It In America Reshoring Workshop
2014-10-30 10:30 - 13:00 | Mississippi Delta Community College Capps Center, 920 US Highway 82 West , Indianola, MS, 38751, United States
Current trends are making manufacturing in the United States more attractive, which is leading to more companies to reshore or make the decision to not offshore. If you are considering offshoring or have offshored in the past, the Make It In America Reshoring Workshop will explain how best to determine for your business if reshoring or establishing your operations in the United States is economically viable.
Companies that are interested in pursuing reshoring are encouraged to schedule either a morning or an afternoon breakout session. These sessions will provide an opportunity for OEM and supplier companies to work with the Mississippi Make It In America team to identify opportunities to strengthen their collective supply chains.
Contact Jill Sellers at jsellers@cavse.msstate.edu or 601-407-2746 for more information and to register for the Make It In America Reshoring Workshop and lunch and/or schedule a breakout session.

Hobnob Mississippi 2014
2014-10-29 08:30 - 13:30 | Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum, 1150 Lakeland Drive, Jackson, MS, 39216, United States
Hobnob Mississippi is a political rally-styled event that features Mississippi’s statewide elected officials and candidates for statewide office.
U.S. Senator Thad Cochran, the Republican nominee, and his Democratic challenger Travis Childers will speak during Hobnob, which takes place less than one week before the general election.
Governor Phil Bryant, Lt. Governor Tate Reeves, and Speaker of the House Philip Gunn will provide the latest on what’s happening at the State Capitol. Other statewide elected officials set to speak are Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann, Attorney General Jim Hood, State Auditor Stacey Pickering, State Treasurer Lynn Fitch, Agriculture Commissioner Cindy Hyde-Smith and Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney.
The event, which draws more than 1,700 business and community leaders, features a morning of stump-styled political speaking and entertainment. Hobnob concludes with a buffet lunch featuring fried catfish and bar-b-que chicken.

2014 Gulf Coast SBIR/STTR Program Symposium and GCIPA Intellectual Property Forum
2014-10-28 08:00 - 2014-10-30 17:00 | BioInnovation Center, 1441 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA, 70112, United States
The 2014 Gulf Coast Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program Symposium is a three day event featuring nationally known SBIR consultant Jim Greenwood in an SBIR proposal writing workshop. The forum will also include professional presentations and one-on-one meetings with federal SBIR program managers. An additional forum on intellectual property protection will be hosted by the Gulf Coast Intellectual Property Association October 30.
The SBIR/STTR Program Symposium is sponsored by the Mississippi FAST Program in conjunction with the Gulf Coast Intellectual Property Association and the Louisiana Technology Transfer Office, Louisiana Business & Technology Center and Louisiana State University.
