Our Partners

A thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Mississippi takes more than any single organization can deliver alone. That’s why Innovate Mississippi and a network of regional hubs, industry organizations, and economic development partners have joined forces around a shared mission: Making Mississippi a state where entrepreneurs can start, grow, and succeed close to home.

These partnerships are built on collaboration. They allow us to show up in communities across the state to connect founders with what they need: accelerator programs, pitch competitions, investor relationships, mentors, service providers and the funding they need to launch high-growth businesses in the Magnolia State.

When Mississippi entrepreneurs win, we all win. That’s the idea behind everything we do together.

Starkville

Oxford

Gulf Coast

Hattiesburg

Vicksburg

Jackson

Tupelo

Oxford Lafayette Incorporated – Oxford, MS

Oxford Lafayette Incorporated seeks to increase the economic development activity of the region through providing a vibrant business environment in which companies can grow and thrive. As close partners with the University of Mississippi, Olinc also works to assist technology transfer businesses to grow and thrive in the area. As a partner in the CoBuilders Accelerator, the EDF is working with other partners in North Mississippi to assist companies from the region.

Startup Focus: Early-stage companies generally in North Mississippi

For further information please contact Allen Kurr allen@oxfordms.com

Mississippi State E-Center

The MSU Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach empowers students and Mississippi residents to plan, launch and grow successful local and global companies based on new ideas or MSU invented technology. Our companies are graded in the real world – by success or failure with actual, paying customers. We use applied learning to strengthen our pipeline of entrepreneurs from K-12 to college students to graduates and have broad involvement of alumni and friends to help mentor, coach and invest in our startups. As a partner in the CoBuilders Accelerator, we join a team that is working to propel Mississippi’s next wave of technology startups.

Startup Focus: Conceptual or early-stage companies located within Mississippi, or abroad with some connection to MSU. (Only Mississippi-based companies can be selected for CoBuilders, but MSU affiliated companies from any location can participate in the Startup Summit.)

For further information please contact Aiden McClain at amclain@ecenter.msstate.edu

The Community Development Foundation

The Community Development Foundation (CDF) is a membership-based organization serving to advance the community through partnerships and growth initiatives for more than 75 years. We are the local Chamber of Commerce for Tupelo, Mississippi and serve as the economic development organization for Tupelo/Lee County, Mississippi. CDF’s business incubator is the Renasant Center for IDEAs, and the mission of the incubator is to provide the physical and social infrastructure to assist in the formation and development of successful small businesses, which will diversify our area’s economy, create regional job opportunities, and foster economic growth and vitality. CDF & the Renasant Center for IDEAs partnership with CoBuilders Accelerator will help us strengthen our mission with our startups and entrepreneurs in our area.

Startup Focus: Early-stage companies in Tupelo/Lee County, Mississippi and surrounding areas.

For further information please contact Judd Wilson at jwilson@cdfms.org or at 662-842-4521.

The Bean Path

The Bean Path is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded by Dr. Nashlie Sephus that provides assistance to companies in Jackson and the surrounding areas. Additionally, they extend support through scholarships, grants, and awards to empower students and recognize the contributions of community organizations.

Startup Focus: Early-stage companies in Jackson, Mississippi, and the surrounding areas

For further information please contact Tamika Jenkins via email at tamika@thebeanpath.org or Lena Horne at lena@thebeanpath.org

MSU E-Center Vicksburg

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

For further information please contact Tasha Bibb tasha.bibb@msstate.edu or Trevor Acy at tacy@ecenter.msstate.edu

Mississippi Polymer Institute

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.

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

Gulf Coast Business Council

The Gulf Coast Business Council is a private 501(c)(6), member-based organization primarily focused on community and economic development. Our general membership consists of the lead decision-makers of companies doing business in Coastal Mississippi (Hancock, Harrison, Jackson). The council exists to inform and engage our members in order to identify, develop and advocate for solutions that enhance our competitive advantage so we can grow our economy and improve the quality of life in Coastal Mississippi.

Startup Focus: Companies with investable products on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

For further information please contact Alexa Cutrer at alexa.cutrer@msgcbc.org or 781-733-7916