(Ridgeland, Miss.) – Innovate Mississippi, in partnership with Baker Donelson, Bradley, Fuse.cloud,and UPS, will present the 9th Annual Mississippi New Venture Challenge Pitch Competition Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at the downtown Jackson Marriott, as a keystone event of November again being declared by Governor Phil Bryant as Innovation Month in Mississippi.
Approximately 30 Mississippi innovators and technology entrepreneurs will compete in this rapid-fire contest, pitching their pioneering business plans to a distinguished panel of judges comprised of the state’s top entrepreneurs and investors. The participants represent startup or existing companies with innovation-based new venture opportunities and will compete in either pre-revenue or student divisions.
“Everyone is so excited for the opportunity to watch these up-and-coming Mississippi entrepreneurs pitch their products and ideas,” said Tony Jeff, president and CEO of Innovate Mississippi. “The New Venture Challenge provides an incredible opportunity to learn about these companies. For those interested in investing in a startup or mentoring or just connecting with these innovators, this is a must attend event.”
Participants are screened and selected prior to the event, then placed with a mentor who assists them in preparing for the competition. Mentors include angel investors and business professionals and are matched with participants based on their areas of expertise and experience.
Cash prizes are awarded to the winning teams, and the participants also vie for in-kind professional services from supporting service providers such as attorneys, accountants and web designers to help grow their business.
The New Venture Challenge is an ideal place to network and connect with early-stage companies and learn more about the Mississippi startup community.
The event is free and open to the public. It begins at 1 p.m. and concludes with an awards ceremony at 4:15 p.m. where the winners will be announced.
Contact Tasha Bibb at tbibb@innovate.ms or 601-960-3610 for more information.
Innovate Mississippi is a nonprofit organization with the mission to drive innovation and technology-based economic development for the State of Mississippi. Visit www.innovate.ms for more information.
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