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X-WR-CALNAME:Innovate Mississippi
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.innovate.ms
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Innovate Mississippi
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260505T100000
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DTSTAMP:20260602T015102
CREATED:20260209T231404Z
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UID:937460-1777975200-1777982400@www.innovate.ms
SUMMARY:The BeanPath Pitch Competiton
DESCRIPTION:Join us at the BeanPath 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. \nThe 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. \nApply Here: https://airtable.com/appEXKLwQ5oSAorxH/pagcvoz5weGfz0lhX/form \nThis 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.
URL:https://www.innovate.ms/event/the-beanpath-pitch-competiton/
LOCATION:JSU College of Business\, The Pittman Auditorium\, 1400 John R. Lynch St\, Jackson\, 39217\, United States
CATEGORIES:Jackson
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.innovate.ms/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Pitch-Day-Jackson-Wide-1.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260507T163000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260507T183000
DTSTAMP:20260602T015102
CREATED:20251126T162140Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251126T162140Z
UID:936238-1778171400-1778178600@www.innovate.ms
SUMMARY:CONNECT: Networking for Entrepreneurs
DESCRIPTION:CONNECT is an opportunity for entrepreneurs\, mentors\, investors and anyone interested in entrepreneurship and innovation to network and form meaningful relationships. \nCONNECT 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. \nJoin us at Fertile Ground and enjoy a cash bar and plenty of food options available for purchase while you connect. \nWe hope to see you there! \nRegister here \nFertile Ground:\n800 Manship Street #Suite 101 Jackson\, MS 39202
URL:https://www.innovate.ms/event/connect-networking-for-entrepreneurs-34/
LOCATION:Fertile Ground Beer Co.\, 800 Manship St Suite 101\, Jackson\, MS\, 39202
CATEGORIES:Connect,Jackson
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.innovate.ms/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/connect-2026_12.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260512
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260515
DTSTAMP:20260602T015102
CREATED:20260505T165058Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260505T165058Z
UID:938562-1778544000-1778803199@www.innovate.ms
SUMMARY:2026 America's Seed Fund Week
DESCRIPTION:America’s Seed Fund Week is a free\, virtual event that connects entrepreneurs with the country’s largest source of early-stage research and development (R&D) funding. \nWhat Is America’s Seed Fund? America’s Seed Fund awards over $5 billion annually in non-dilutive funding through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. Small businesses use this critical funding to develop their technologies and get them to market. \nWhat Happens at America’s Seed Fund Week? \n\nHear from federal and private sector leaders on the importance of continued technology innovation\nLearn how to navigate SBIR/STTR opportunities and apply for funding\nMeet with SBIR/STTR federal agency representatives\nConnect with Federal and State Technology (FAST) organizations and find other support resources\nBuild relationships with fellow innovators\n\nWho Should Attend? \n\nEntrepreneurs\, Startups\, and Small Businesses based in the United States that are building technologies and bringing them to market\nStartup Accelerators\, Business Incubators\, University Entrepreneur Organizations\, and other entrepreneur support organizations\nRepresentatives from Federal Agencies\, State and Local Government\, and other members across innovation networks that support small businesses\n\nRegister Here: https://www.americasseedfund.us/america-s-seed-fund-week
URL:https://www.innovate.ms/event/2026-americas-seed-fund-week/
CATEGORIES:Conference
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.innovate.ms/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/americas-seed-fund-12x7-1.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260519
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260522
DTSTAMP:20260602T015102
CREATED:20260505T170453Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260505T170453Z
UID:938565-1779148800-1779407999@www.innovate.ms
SUMMARY:Gulf Blue Innovation Week
DESCRIPTION:Join us for three days of innovation\, investment\, and impact along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. \nGulf Blue Innovation Week brings together entrepreneurs\, researchers\, investors\, and industry leaders to explore the future of the Blue Economy\, from food security and coastal resilience to startup growth and national security. \nMay 19-21\, 2026 in Gulfport\, MS \nRegister Here: https://www.gulfbluenavigator.org/innovation-week/
URL:https://www.innovate.ms/event/gulf-blue-innovation-week/
CATEGORIES:Conference
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.innovate.ms/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gulf-blu-innovation-week-sm.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260519T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260519T140000
DTSTAMP:20260602T015102
CREATED:20260317T170601Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260420T222901Z
UID:937928-1779181200-1779199200@www.innovate.ms
SUMMARY:StartUp Gulf Coast 2026 Pitch Competition
DESCRIPTION:Join us at the StartUp Gulf Coast 2026 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. \nThe 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. \nReady to take the stage? Apply now! \nDeadline: April 12 \nThis 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.
URL:https://www.innovate.ms/event/startup-gulf-coast-2026-pitch-competition/
LOCATION:Lynn Meadows Discovery Center\, 246 Dolan Ave\, Gulfport\, MS\, 39507\, United States
CATEGORIES:Gulf Coast,Pitch Competition
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.innovate.ms/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Pitch-Day-GC-Wide.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260521T163000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260521T183000
DTSTAMP:20260602T015102
CREATED:20260508T211831Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260521T142142Z
UID:938626-1779381000-1779388200@www.innovate.ms
SUMMARY:Hattiesburg CONNECT
DESCRIPTION: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. \nWhether 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. \nMake connections\, seek and give guidance\, and strengthen the local startup community on Thursday\, May 21st at 4:30 PM at Southern Prohibition Brewing in Hattiesburg\, MS. \nCONNECT 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. \nRSVP HERE: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/720a0aaa-63c2-4de7-a0e4-3abef073396a
URL:https://www.innovate.ms/event/hattiesburg-connect-2/
LOCATION:Southern Prohibition\, 301 Mobile St\, Hattiesburg\, MS\, 39401\, United States
CATEGORIES:Connect
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.innovate.ms/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/1779285908540.jpeg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260526T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260526T130000
DTSTAMP:20260602T015102
CREATED:20260519T152640Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260519T152837Z
UID:938816-1779796800-1779800400@www.innovate.ms
SUMMARY:Entity Selection for Startups and Small Businesses
DESCRIPTION:Choosing the right business structure is one of the most important early decisions a founder can make\, and the wrong setup can create costly challenges down the road. \nJoin Innovate Mississippi and GranthamPoole for a practical webinar designed to help entrepreneurs and small business owners better understand the differences between LLCs\, S Corps\, C Corps\, and other entity structures. Michael Langdon\, Enrolled Agent and Certified Financial Planner with GranthamPoole\, will walk through the pros and cons of each option and explain how those choices can impact taxes\, operations\, growth\, and long-term planning. \nThis session will also cover foundational startup topics including:\n• Setting up your business correctly\n• Tax considerations and common mistakes\n• Opening business banking accounts\n• Establishing bookkeeping and financial systems\n• Key considerations for startups and growing businesses \nWhether you are launching a new company or reevaluating your current structure\, this webinar will provide practical guidance to help you build a stronger financial foundation. \nTuesday\, May 26\n12:00 PM – 12:45 PM\nVirtual Webinar \nRegister Here: https://startupspace.app/v2/dynamic-survey/view/402/10739
URL:https://www.innovate.ms/event/entity-selection-for-startups-and-small-businesses/
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.innovate.ms/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/connect-ms-webinar-5-26_3.jpg
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