Mississippi State University’s DAWG Tank brought entrepreneurs from across Mississippi to Vicksburg, turning early-stage ideas into real funding opportunities across three tracks—High School, Main Street, and Innovation—stepped up to pitch their ideas, receive feedback, and compete for funding. Modeled as a local take on “Shark Tank,” the event continues to serve as a practical on-ramp for founders working to move ideas toward market.
As reported by the Vicksburg Post, this year’s competition showcased both the breadth of innovation happening across Mississippi and the tangible outcomes that come from putting entrepreneurs in front of judges. In the High School Track, Janeigha Thomas took first place and $1,750 for her event planning and photography business, while other student founders were recognized for ventures ranging from barber services to handmade goods—real businesses already taking shape.
In the Main Street Track, Hair Rich Project earned the top $2,500 prize for its work developing safer, non-toxic hair extensions, with additional awards going to Butta Scrubs, LLC and WESTRx—ventures focused on wellness, personal care, and access to affordable medication. These businesses reflect a strong focus on community-centered solutions with clear paths to market.
The Innovation Track highlighted emerging technologies with real-world applications. Precision Heat Technologies, led by Dr. Michael Brown and Dr. Jacob Davis, took first place and $5,000 for a medical device designed to prevent accidental hypothermia during surgery. Other winners included Clarus Labs, developing rapid chemical testing systems for the food industry, and Beibeaux Sol, a platform aimed at streamlining grant applications across funders. These teams reflect the growing connection between Mississippi’s research institutions and commercialization pathways, turning technical innovation into market-ready solutions.
Together, the winners and the broader group of founders, demonstrate how events like DAWG Tank help founders sharpen their thinking under pressure, clarify their value, and take meaningful steps toward market. For many, this is just the starting point. Founders from DAWG Tank continue into programs like CoBuilders, NSF I-Corps, and other regional/national accelerators, building on the momentum created here and connecting into a broader network of support across Mississippi and beyond.
We at Innovate Mississippi offer a big thank you to the Vicksburg Post and reporter Sally Green for covering the event and highlighting the people and ventures building startup momentum on the ground in Vicksburg and beyond.
This project is 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.
