Innovate Mississippi

Deadline for V-Quad Entrepreneurs Technical Assistance Program (ETAP) Grant Applications
2022-06-30 | MS
The Mississippi Development Authority currently is accepting applications for the V-Quad Entrepreneurs Technical Assistance Program (ETAP) grants.
Teams are eligible for a maximum award of $25,000 each in the form of a voucher that may be used to receive technical assistance from a research university in Mississippi. MDA will award a total of $100,000 in the ETAP, which is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy – State Energy Program. Teams receiving an ETAP grant will be paired with a relevant research university to solve specific technical challenges posed by the applicants. Teams will have up to nine months from the award date to complete their proposed tasks.
The competition is open to teams of high school and college students, university or community college faculty, for-profit businesses, non-profit organizations, public-sector employees or any combination of individuals from these entities.
Examples of eligible projects include the use of clean energy and energy-efficient products and services, agricultural products and services, as well as robotics, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, unmanned aerial and terrestrial vehicles and genomics applied within the energy and agriculture sectors.
The deadline to apply for a grant is Thursday, June 30, 2022.
Application instructions and guides:

View detailed application instructions
Examples of resources available through V-Quad partners

V-quad’s mission is to build an innovative, virtual incubator network to support Mississippi entrepreneurs and innovators launching businesses focused on energy- and agriculture-related technologies.
The program helps new technology companies seeking to commercialize energy and agriculture-related technologies find technical assistance and financial networks with a specific focus in these areas. V-Quad’s goal is to form public-private partnerships that connect Mississippi’s research universities, industry, government and non-profits that strengthen the state’s technology development entrepreneurial ecosystem.

CONNECT: Networking for Entrepreneurs
2022-07-07 16:30 - 18:30, 2022-08-04 16:30 - 18:30 (America/Chicago) | Cultivation Food Hall, 1200 Eastover Dr Suite 125, Jackson, 39211, United States
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 at the Cultivation Food Hall in The District, Jackson, MS. Cash Bar and plenty of food options will be available for you to purchase while you mingle.
Please RSVP. We hope to see you there!

CoBuilders Startup "Pitch Day"
2022-07-28 | Fertile Ground Beer Co., 800 Manship St Suite 101, Jackson, MS, 39202
Join us on July 28 to hear pitches from the 21-companies who were part of the inaugural cohort for CoBuilders, a partnership-driven statewide startup accelerator. Founders from all corners of the State will pitch to angel investors and is open to the public at the culmination of the 12-week intensive development program.
CoBuilders, powered by Microsoft, is a partnership between Innovate Mississippi, Mississippi State University, Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation/The University of Mississippi, Higher Purpose Co, Jackson State University/The Beanpath, The Mississippi Polymer Institute at University of Southern Mississippi, The Small Business Develoment Center/Hinds Community College (Vicksburg) and The Meeting Place (MS Gulf Coast).
Fertile Ground Beer Co.
800 Manship Street, Jackson, MS
Parking behind the building
https://fertilegroundbeer.com/

ELEVATE Mississippi
2022-08-12 | MS
ELEVATE Mississippi will support Mississippi residents who are small business owners in need of technical assistance to enhance their business operations. Priority will be given to Black-owned, LatinX-owned and Native American/Indigenous-owned businesses in the soft and hard consumer goods industry, service providers, and culinary sectors.
Eligible participants must be an established business supported by documented evidence that includes proof of sales and/or an established proof of concept.

Types of Businesses:

Retail
Ecommerce
Social Impact
Nonprofits
Service-Based Businesses (salons, barbers, etc)
Restaurants
Healthcare

The program provides resources, tools, mentorship, training, wellness support, and connects an ecosystem of entrepreneurs to thriving community partners who are dedicated to the growth of solopreneurs and microbusinesses. ELEVATE moves businesses from aspiration to application to the achievement of growing from sole operators to a thriving business with multiple employees.

Apply now. Application Closes: August 12, 2022
https://ascend100.typeform.com/to/FtAKWEKI?typeform-source=www.google.com

ELEVATE Mississippi is supported through the partnership of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

Mississippi Health Innovation Conference
2022-08-16 08:00 - 19:00 | Nelson Student Center
The MS Health Innovation Conference (MSHIC) is a collaboration between the University of Mississippi School of Business Administration and the University of Mississippi Medical Center with the goal of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare within the State of Mississippi and the US.
The MSHIC is a collection of some of the most renowned innovators, educators, investors, payers, providers, and policymakers who are leading the future of healthcare in the US.
Registration for the Mississippi Health Innovation Conference includes:
Entry to the conference
Light Breakfast and Lunch
Evening reception
Regular registration is $300 and $75 for students.
Register below:
http://mshic.org/attend/register/

CollabSouth Conference
2022-08-26 08:30 - 17:00 | The Country Club of Jackson
The Southern Business Institute is excited to bring CollabSouth to Mississippi on August 26, 2022, at The Country Club of Jackson. A one-day event open to the Mississippi business community.
The event will bring together businesses, business owners, and business resources to collaborate and share valuable information. Come listen to other business owners share about how they have met the challenges of business ownership in Mississippi and explore the resources available to Mississippi businesses. Throughout the day, ask questions of the experts, meet and talk to others who may be able to provide you the resources you need and get practical information for your day-to-day business.
Register below:
https://form.jotform.com/221456324121141

CONNECT: Networking for Entrepreneurs
2022-09-08 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 and will be held at the Fertile Ground, 800 Manship St., Jackson, MS.
Please RSVP. We hope to see you there!

MagnoliaJS Developer Conference
2022-09-13 - 2022-09-14 | MS
MagnoliaJS creates an inclusive conference to showcase Mississippi’s thriving developer community. Each event is a success in Mississippi’s talent in technology and in being known as the Hospitality State.
This upcoming 2022 season will be held in Mississippi’s capital and will draw talent from neighboring states. We’re inviting you and your company to take part with us at the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson, MS on September 13-14.
https://www.magnoliajs.com/

CONNECT: Networking for Entrepreneurs
2022-10-06 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 at the Fertile Ground Brewing Co. Cash Bar and plenty of food options will be available for you to purchase while you mingle.
Please RSVP. We hope to see you there!

The 23rd Annual Conference on Technology Innovation
2022-11-08 - 2022-11-09 | The Westin Jackson, 407 South Congress Street , Jackson, MS, 39201, United States
Now in its 23rd year, Accelerate, the Conference on Technology Innovation, offers Mississippi stakeholders an annual gathering to network, explore, learn and be inspired. Convened by Innovate Mississippi, we welcome attendees, vendors and sponsors from across the state and across the country to join us in building Mississippi’s future economy.
This year at Accelerate 2022 explores a critical component in the success of Mississippi’s entrepreneurial ecosystem: collaboration.
Today, we’re seeing the fruits of a major focus on collaboration in recent years—investors, private industry, government agencies, universities and the nonprofit sector are all working together to lift up entrepreneurs and turn them into major contributors to the Mississippi economy.
Join us at this year’s conference as we explore how to deepen those collaborations, find efficiencies in these partnerships and further expand opportunity for entrepreneurs in our great state!
For details and sponsorship opportunities, contact Janet Parker at jparker@innovate.ms.
Register to attend. https://accelerate.innovate.ms/

Legislative Reception + CONNECT: Networking for Entrepreneurs
2023-02-07 16:30 - 18:30 | Cultivation Food Hall, 1200 Eastover Dr Suite 125, Jackson, 39211, United States
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, but this month we are combining our Legislative Reception and CONNECT on the same night which will be Tuesday, February 7, 2023. In March we will be back to the First Thursday of each month for 2023.
Join us at Cultivation Food Hall and enjoy a cash bar and plenty of food options available for purchase while you mingle.
Please RSVP. We hope to see you there!

JAWAD Beer && Code
2023-02-08 17:30 - 19:00 | MS
JAWAD is hosting a Beer && Code, so come hang after work!
Beer && Code is a social event for people in the industry to get together and talk shop! There will be a $200 tab open.
**Trivia Night @ Fertile Grounds starts at 7pm for anyone who wants to stay and play!
LOCATION: Fertile Ground Beer Co. (800 Manship St Suite 101, Jackson, MS 39202)
LOCATION INSTRUCTIONS: First come first serve, with no reserved signs or holding.
SPONSORS: JetBrains, J.C. Hiatt
Want to sponsor? Read our sponsorship info here.
Check out our website: https://jacksondevs.tech/
Get updates on Twitter: @jacksondevs
Wanna speak at a future event? Get in touch!
Call 601-919-6935 if you have any issues finding us!

Appy Hour: What is Chat GPT? | hosted by Bean Path
2023-02-11 12:30 - 14:00 | Bean Path Makerspace, 451 N. Gallatin St ., Jackson, MS, 39203, United States
Why did Microsoft invest several BILLION dollars in ChatGPT? Because it’s going to change technology as we know it!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer, commonly called ChatGPT, is a chatbot launched by OpenAI in November 2022. It can very effectively answer questions, write articles, summarize information, and more.
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Artificial Intelligence expert and Bean Path founder, Dr. Nashlie Sephus, joins us at the Makerspace to discuss the implications of this disruptive new platform. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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You don’t want to miss it! This is a hybrid event. You can attend in person at the Makerspace or tune in virtually on our website. In-person attendees are encouraged to bring a laptop for our interactive demo.
Register at getbean.info/GPT

CONNECT: Networking for Entrepreneurs
2023-03-02 16:30 - 18:30, 2023-05-04 16:30 - 18:30 | Cultivation Food Hall, 1200 Eastover Dr Suite 125, Jackson, 39211, United States
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 Cultivation Food Hall in The District, Jackson, MS. Cash Bar and plenty of food options will be available for you to purchase while you mingle.
Join us at Cultivation Food Hall and enjoy a cash bar and plenty of food options available for purchase while you mingle.
Please RSVP. We hope to see you there!

Gulf Blue Networking Series
2023-03-08 17:00 - 19:00 | 2605 13th St, Gulfport, MS, 2605 13th St, Gulfport, MS, 39501, United States
The Gulf Blue Navigator program brings six blue technology companies to the MS Gulf Coast once a month. This is an open networking event welcoming innovators and practitioners alike. We will feature a bluetech innovator each month to speak about pertinent blue technology topics. Snacks, beer & wine.
March 8th will feature Vishwa Sunkara of USM’s Center for Ocean Enterprise to discuss the announcement of FREE Maritime Workforce Training at USM’s Roger F. Wicker Center for Ocean Enterprise in Gulfport, MS with offerings to include:

Maritime Autonomy
Maritime Data Analytics
Uncrewed Maritime Systems
Maritime Cyber

Attend to learn about these incredible opportunities and get in while registration is free!

HBCU Entrepreneur’s Week
2023-03-27 - 2023-03-29 | MS
HBCU Entrepreneur’s Week
The bi-annual hybrid event is designed with and for historically underrepresented entrepreneurs, business owners, and communities. The Spring Conference, March 27 – 29, 2023, will be hosted at Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi, plus live-streamed and recorded to allow optimal access for everyone.
Spring Conference Theme: Advancing Racial Equity in Government ProcurementPlease direct questions to: sharon.simmons@jsums.edu and thomas@ecosystemresource.com
Register and Login to access all HBCU Entrepreneur’s Week content, including exhibitors, presenters, sessions, and more. https://www.hbcueweek.com/login

CONNECT + 2023 Innovation Report
2023-04-06 16:30 - 18:30 | Cultivation Food Hall, 1200 Eastover Dr Suite 125, Jackson, 39211, United States
Join Innovate Mississippi for the First Thursday networking event, CONNECT, which will coincide with the highly anticipated 2023 Digital Launch of the Innovation Report.

The Innovation Report is Innovate Mississippi’s annual magazine that covers startups, events, and the innovation ecosystem in Mississippi. This year’s digital edition promises to be our best, with in-depth articles on the latest trends and insights from the state’s most successful entrepreneurs and business leaders.

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.

Attendees at CONNECT will receive one drink ticket per person and some light bites to enjoy while networking with like-minded individuals and learning about the latest developments in Mississippi’s innovation landscape.

RSVP today! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/connect-tickets-84659421609

Water Access Hackathon!
2023-04-15 09:00 - 17:00 | Bean Path Makerspace, 451 N. Gallatin St ., Jackson, MS, 39203, United States
Bean Path, in partnership with RunItApps, is producing the first hackathon for high school students in the Jackson area. This is an excellent opportunity to learn and implement techniques used by some of the top innovators and change-makers in the world.
Students will get a taste of startup life in this fast-paced program, where they’ll walk away with lifelong mentors, a clickable prototype, and prizes. This year’s theme is Water Access. Each team will develop a tech solution that addresses access to clean water.
The hackathon is geared toward high school students, giving them the opportunity to be immersed in the world of S.T.E.A.M. through project-based exploration and learning while working with industry professionals.
Spots are limited, so register now! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/water-access-hackathon-hosted-by-bean-path-registration-590180003277
***If you’re interested in being a technical mentor or judge, please submit your information using this form.

Higher Purpose, Co. – Clarksdale, MS - Application Process
2023-04-17 | MS
Higher Purpose Co.’s mission is to build community wealth with Black residents in Mississippi by supporting the ownership of financial, cultural, and political power. As a valued partner in the CoBuilders Accelerator, Higher Purpose Co. will support black-owned businesses from all over the state of Mississippi. Higher Purpose Business Membership applications are now being accepted. HPC Membership is designed to offer Mississippi entrepreneurs, farmers, and artists, services and support for their existing and growing business that falls within the seven priority sectors which are beauty, food/agriculture, education, healthcare, housing, transportation, and art.

Startup Focus: Black-owned Mississippi Small Businesses.

Application Process: Black-owned Mississippi businesses should complete the membership application by April 17th. A pitch event will be held on May 17th.

For further information please contact Oni Omoregie at oni@higherpurposeco.org or call 6o1-988-8081.

Jackson Area Web & App Developers April 2023 Meetup
2023-04-26 17:30 - 19:30 | MS
LOCATION: TBD
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Sponsors: JetBrains & J.C. Hiatt
Want to sponsor? Read our sponsorship info here.
Check out our website: https://jacksondevs.tech/
Get updates on Twitter: @jacksondevs
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5:30 pm- 6:00 pm: Complimentary drinks, food, and socializing
6:00 pm- 6:30 pm: Intro, announcements, and general discussion
6:30 pm – 7:00 pm: TBD
7:00 pm – 7:30 pm: TBD
——–
Wanna speak? Get in touch! We are looking for two speakers for our upcoming meeting.
Call 601-919-6935 if you have any issues finding us!

Innovation 2 Market
2023-05-03 08:30 - 16:30 | ERDCWERX, 1622 Washington Street Suite 300, Vicksburg, MS, 39180, United States
Innovation 2 Market will be held on Wednesday, May 3, for businesses and investors to learn how technologies developed by the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) can help increase sales, attract capital, and achieve other business goals. ERDC seeks to identify business entities with manufacturing or distribution capabilities that can benefit from commercialization of ERDC patented technologies.
Attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with ERDC inventors and learn about ERDC’s streamlined licensing process which makes it easier to evaluate and pursue market potential of ERDC innovations. Many of ERDC’s patented technologies have been prototyped, proven, and have dual-use potential. Attendees will be introduced to ERDC patents in the following sectors:

Electronics & Sensors
Environment & Energy
Protective Structures & Systems

Gulf Blue Navigator Cohort 1 Demo Day
2023-05-03 17:00 - 20:00 | Coastal Transit Authority And The Mississippi Aquarium, 1401 20TH AVE, Gulfport, MS, 39501, United States
SeaAhead and the University of Southern Mississippi Research Foundation are proud to present the Gulf Blue Navigator’s six graduating bluetech startups diving deeper into Gulf Blue, the innovation gateway to the Gulf of Mexico.
Blue Ocean Gear – SeaTrac Systems – SafetyNet Technologies – BeeX – Marauder Robotics – Seatrec

Meet the Cohort!

Seatrec – first-ever profiling float with a built-in energy harvesting system powered by ocean temps
Marauder Robotics-remote marine ecosystem monitoring platform
SafetyNet Technologies-precision fishing technology to catch target species more consistently and sustainably
SeaTrac Systems – uncrewed surface vehicles for persistent in-shore and open-ocean missions
Blue Ocean Gear – smart buoy to provide real-time tracking and monitoring for deployed fishing gear
BeeX– autonomous vessels for assessment of underwater infrastructure

This ticket is good for yourself and one other person. We hope to see you there!

Details

Doors open at 4:30pm
Speaking program 5-6:15pm
Reception 6:30-8pm

Please follow this address to the parking garage, where you will park for free (let them know you’re with the Gulf Blue event)
*if you have any questions, please contact hailey.bathurst@sea-ahead.com*

Intellectual Property and Other Resources for Advancing Small Businesses
2023-05-10 08:30 - 14:00 | MCITY Vicksburg, 1622 Washington St, Vicksburg, MS, 39180, United States
**REGISTRATION REQUIRED** To register, please email ccreasey@msbar.org.
***This event is FREE to the general public.***
Join The Mississippi Bar Intellectual Property, Entertainment and Sports Law Section for their Intellectual Property and Other Resources for Advancing Small Businesses CLE Seminar on May 10 from 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Vicksburg’s Thad Cochran Mississippi Center for Information and Technology (MCITy). The seminar, which offers four hours of CLE credit, will feature presentations from Alissa Armstrong, Magen Bynum, Jeremy Clay, Andrew Coffman, Joe Donovan, and Ben Mitchell. Members of the Mississippi Bar seeking CLE credit should also register through the ATTORNEY LOGIN on the Bar’s homepage.

Mississippi State E-Center - Pitch Event
2023-05-20 | MS
The Mississippi State Entrepreneurship Center in Vicksburg seeks to develop entrepreneurial ventures in the Vicksburg region and to draw particularly from the technology partners and connections associated with ERDC and ERDCWerx. Located in the beautiful MCITy Building in downtown Vicksburg, the MSE E-Center Vicksburg brings all of the resources and experience of MSU’s E-Center to the River City and surrounding areas. As a partner in the CoBuilders Accelerator, the MSU E-Center Vicksburg is working with other partners to assist companies from the region.

Startup Focus: Early-stage companies generally in the Vicksburg region

Application Process: Each applicant will begin the process with a consultation session where they will be connected with local entrepreneurial development resources to help prepare them for the local pitch event scheduled for May 20th.

For further information, please contact Ryan Gilbrech rgilbrech@ecenter.msstate.edu or call the MSU E-Center Vicksburg office at 757-784-5947.

Mississippi Polymer Institute - Pitch Event
2023-05-26 15:00 - 17:30 | The Accelerator, 46 Shelby Thames Drive, Hattiesburg, MS, 39402, United States
The Mississippi Polymer Institute cultivates business growth and participation in advanced materials markets. As the industrial outreach component of the University of Southern Mississippi’s 500-acre Innovation and Commercialization Park, we collectively provide capabilities and resources relevant to businesses at all stages of maturity. As a partner in the CoBuilders Accelerator and the NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MMA-MEP), MPI works with other partners around Mississippi to assist early-stage companies.

Startup Focus: Early-stage companies generally focused on material-based products (preferably), but all area startups are encouraged to sign up.

Application Process: Applications are open through May 1st. Once accepted, you will begin the process with a consultation session and work with a mentor to prepare for the Pitch Event held at MPI on May 26. The community is invited to the Pitch Event to hear some of the exciting regional startup initiatives.

For further information, please contact MPI at 601- 266-4094.

CONNECT: Networking for Entrepreneurs
2023-06-01 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. A cash bar and plenty of food options will be available for you to purchase while you mingle.
Join us at Fertile Ground and enjoy a cash bar and plenty of food options available for purchase while you mingle.
Please RSVP. We hope to see you there!

CONNECT: Networking for Entrepreneurs
2023-09-07 16:30 - 18:30 | MS

Business Development Mission to Western Canada
2023-09-11 - 2023-11-15 | Western Canada, Canada
The Mississippi Development Authority invites you to participate in a multi-industry business development mission to WESTERN Canada from September 11-15, 2023.

The mission will include one-on-one business appointments with pre-screened potential buyers, agents, distributors, and joint venture partners. Stops in additional cities are available upon request.

Click here to REGISTER. (Registration deadline: July 7)
