When University of Southern Mississippi Professor Fan Zhang found herself fielding endless student emails for her 100-person online class, she wished for a better way. Working with her undergraduate research assistant Sugam Panthi, a computer science major, the two built an early chatbot prototype that could answer students’ questions automatically. The idea proved so useful that it became the foundation for MagnoliaEd, a startup company offering an AI-driven teaching assistant designed to help professors communicate critical course information with students around the clock.
Zhang and Panthi’s collaboration began when Panthi proposed creating a class-specific chatbot fine-tuned exclusively on course materials. Unlike generic AI tools that often generate vague or inaccurate responses, their version would answer based on content the professor uploads—such as the syllabus, lecture notes, or assignment details. After a few weeks of coding, they rolled out a simple web-based tools for Zhang’s students to test. The response was positive: students appreciated instant feedback, and Zhang found the chatbot saved hours of routine messaging.
Encouraged by those results, the pair entered a pitch competition hosted by Innovate Mississippi and the Mississippi Polymer Institute in Hattiesburg. Success there led to an invitation to join Innovate Mississippi’s 2025 CoBuilders cohort, a 12-week accelerator program that helps high-growth startups prepare for venture capital. “That program really pushed us forward,” Zhang said. “It gave us a roadmap—from a class project to a real product that others could use.”
“I think everyone can relate to not having enough time. MagnoliaEd is a perfect example of creating a business that was born out of experiencing a time-consuming efficiency problem for multiple stakeholders at different points in the value chain. When you can solve multiple problems with one product, adoption is faster. We can’t wait to see this company succeed in the marketplace, ” said Dr. Monica Tisack, executive director of USM’s Mississippi Polymer Institute.
Now MagnoliaEd has a working minimum viable product (MVP) deployed in Zhang’s current course, and the team is inviting other professors to test it. The platform allows instructors to upload class materials, track student questions, and view analytics about common topics or misconceptions.
Panthi notes that their system’s independence from university learning management systems like Canvas or Blackboard means it can stand alone as a secure, scalable platform. “If universities change systems, we’re not dependent,” he explained. “Students and teachers can still log in to MagnoliaEd anytime.”
The founders envision the first paying customers as individual faculty members, with institutional licenses to follow once adoption grows. They’re also experimenting with features such as practice quizzes, flashcards, and student review tools to make the chatbot even more interactive. “We’re constantly improving the interface and adding capabilities that make studying easier,” Panthi said. “It’s about making the professor’s voice available 24/7.”
As MagnoliaEd continues its journey toward Pitch Day this November at the Accelerate Conference, the team is refining its technology and business model to transform how professors and students stay connected in the digital classroom. Their hope is that investors will see the promise behind their tool and step up to help them take the business to the next level.
Both founders credit Innovate Mississippi’s CoBuilders program for helping them think beyond technology and toward sustainability. “As first-time founders, we really didn’t know how to turn an idea into a company,” Zhang said. “Innovate Mississippi has been the cornerstone of our progress.”
Watch MagnoliaEd live on stage at the 2025 Accelerate Conference! Get your tickets now at accelerate.innovate.ms.
