Maranda Joiner wears many hats—entrepreneur, speaker, author, and now lead facilitator for the Founders Plus program at Innovate Mississippi. A native of Jackson and co-founder of Succeed and Elevate, a non-profit dedicated to helping entrepreneurs, Maranda brings her professional expertise and personal commitment to helping women and minority entrepreneurs thrive in the startup space. With a background in brand strategy and entrepreneurship, she knows firsthand the challenges of launching a business and uses that knowledge to empower others through this innovative program.
Founders Plus, created by David Collins for Innovate Mississippi, supports minority and women-owned startups building high-tech, high-growth businesses. Maranda emphasizes that many early-stage entrepreneurs are confident in their product or service—but less sure about how to scale. “One of the bigger initiatives of the program,” she says, “is to underline and boost the confidence it takes to grow a company.” Founders Plus focuses on three critical areas: building scalable ventures, finding pathways to funding, and crafting a compelling pitch that gets the attention of investors.
The team has designed the six-week program to be flexible and founder-friendly. After applying and going through a vetting process, accepted participants meet weekly. In addition to structured sessions, the program offers office hours for one-on-one mentorship and encourages peer-to-peer learning. “There’s nothing like connecting with others in the same boat as you,” Maranda says. Graduates can qualify for small loans and vouchers for services, and some get invited to follow-on opportunities such as CoBuilders, Innovate Mississippi’s statewide accelerator, or regional pitch competitions.
When asked how entrepreneurs know if they’re a good fit for the high-tech, high-growth model, Maranda says: “It’s about mindset.” She encourages founders to think boldly, embrace innovation, and push beyond what’s comfortable. Still, she recognizes that not every entrepreneur aims to scale rapidly or exit to investors. That’s why she’s also collaborating with The Bean Path, a Jackson-based non-profit makerspace, to develop programming that supports traditional business owners and tech innovators. “Whatever your path,” she says, “being in the room with other ambitious people will move your business forward.”
Access to capital is often at the top of new founders’ minds, and Founders Plus addresses that challenge head-on. The program teaches participants how to validate ideas through minimum viable products, develop sound business models, and confidently pitch their ventures to investors. “Money is all around us,” Maranda says, “but if you’re not ready—if you don’t know your numbers or how to tell your story—you’ll miss your shot.” Through Innovate Mississippi’s statewide network, participants get introduced to mentors, pitch opportunities, and events that open doors far beyond Mississippi’s borders.
For Maranda, joining Founders Plus has been more than a professional role—it’s been a learning experience. “I’ve seen the difference in mindset between startup founders and traditional business owners,” she says. “Startups move fast, learn quickly, and aim to scale rapidly, while traditional entrepreneurs often focus on stability and legacy.” She believes there’s room for both models and that the energy of the startup world can ignite growth in any business.
Above all, Maranda emphasizes the importance of community. “It’s vital that entrepreneurs know this ecosystem exists,” she says. “So many people struggle unnecessarily when resources are right here in front of them.” For those navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship—whether in tech, services, or the creative economy—Maranda offers simple advice: “Get out of your house. Get in the room. Connect with people. You’ll find inspiration, knowledge, and maybe even your tribe.”
With the next Founders Plus cohort launching soon, is it time for you to “get in the room” and start your journey? See the Founders Plus program page for more information and to register for the summer cohort.
This 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.
