Oxford Discovery Luncheon to Spotlight Local Entrepreneurs

(Ridgeland, Miss.) – Innovate Mississippi announces that the next Discovery Luncheon, which is a community-based event that spotlights Mississippi’s rich entrepreneurial culture, will be held Tuesday, October 20, in Oxford at the Powerhouse from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Organized by Innovate Mississippi, this first Oxford Discovery Luncheon is presented in partnership with FNC and the Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation.

“We’re excited to bring the Discovery Luncheon series to Oxford,” said Tony Jeff, president and CEO of Innovate Mississippi. “This event’s proven format helps people discover the remarkable innovation and entrepreneurial activity taking place in their own community – and all in a fun, educational environment designed to encourage networking. Innovate Mississippi holds Startup Weekends, Mississippi Angel Investor Network meetings and various other events in Oxford and at Ole Miss throughout the year, and we are happy to now expand into the area with this popular event.”

The agenda begins at 11:30 a.m. with registration and networking. The lunch program will begin promptly at 12:00 noon. Josh Mabus, founder and president of the Mabus Agency, a creative marketing firmed based in Tupelo and Jackson, will serve as the featured speaker. Chip Wade, Ph.D., chief science officer of OrthoKinematics, a medical imaging startup launched in Mississippi, will present as the entrepreneur speaker. Time for Q&A with the speakers will be included. The event will conclude at 1:00 p.m.

“The EDF is excited that Innovate Mississippi chose Oxford for a Discovery Luncheon,” said Jon Maynard, president and CEO of the Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation and Chamber of Commerce. “Our efforts at job creation in Lafayette County are heavily focused on innovation and entrepreneurship. The University of Mississippi provides Oxford the opportunity to be a prime location in Mississippi for new businesses being developed. Our ecosystem for innovation is taking shape, and we are seeing tremendous success in startup development.”

“The Discovery Luncheon is a great opportunity to bring the community together, to ignite conversation around innovation in Oxford, and to hear from entrepreneurs who are changing the world right here in our corner of Mississippi,” said Glen Evans, FNC president.

To register for the luncheon or for more information, contact Allen Kurr, vice president of economic development for the Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation, at allen@oxfordms.com or 662-234-4651.

Innovate Mississippi’s final Discovery Luncheon for 2015 will be held Thursday, December 10, in Ridgeland and presented in partnership with C Spire. More details will be available soon at www.innovate.ms.

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 to learn more.

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