CONNECT: Networking for Entrepreneurs

CONNECT is an opportunity for entrepreneurs, mentors, investors and anyone interested in entrepreneurship and innovation to network and form meaningful relationships. CONNECT is held the first Thursday of every month from 4:30 -6:30 pm. This month we will be meeting at ......More

CONNECT is an opportunity for entrepreneurs, mentors, investors and anyone interested in entrepreneurship and innovation to network and form meaningful relationships. CONNECT is held the first Thursday of every month from 4:30 -6:30 pm. This month we will be meeting at the Fertile Ground, 800 Manship St., Jackson, MS. Join us at Fertile Ground and enjoy a cash bar and plenty of food options available for purchase while you connect. We hope to see you there! Register here Fertile Ground:800 Manship Street #Suite 101 Jackson, MS 39202

Fertile Ground Beer Co., 800 Manship St Suite 101, Jackson, MS, 39202

2026 America's Seed Fund Week

America’s Seed Fund Week is a free, virtual event that connects entrepreneurs with the country’s largest source of early-stage research and development (R&D) funding. What Is America’s Seed Fund? America’s Seed Fund awards over $5 billion annually in non-dilutive fundin......More

America’s Seed Fund Week is a free, virtual event that connects entrepreneurs with the country’s largest source of early-stage research and development (R&D) funding. What Is America’s Seed Fund? America’s Seed Fund awards over $5 billion annually in non-dilutive funding through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. Small businesses use this critical funding to develop their technologies and get them to market. What Happens at America’s Seed Fund Week? Hear from federal and private sector leaders on the importance of continued technology innovationLearn how to navigate SBIR/STTR opportunities and apply for fundingMeet with SBIR/STTR federal agency representativesConnect with Federal and State Technology (FAST) organizations and find other support resourcesBuild relationships with fellow innovatorsWho Should Attend? Entrepreneurs, Startups, and Small Businesses based in the United States that are building technologies and bringing them to marketStartup Accelerators, Business Incubators, University Entrepreneur Organizations, and other entrepreneur support organizationsRepresentatives from Federal Agencies, State and Local Government, and other members across innovation networks that support small businessesRegister Here: https://www.americasseedfund.us/america-s-seed-fund-week

Gulf Blue Innovation Week

Join us for three days of innovation, investment, and impact along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Gulf Blue Innovation Week brings together entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and industry leaders to explore the future of the Blue Economy, from food security and coastal......More

Join us for three days of innovation, investment, and impact along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Gulf Blue Innovation Week brings together entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and industry leaders to explore the future of the Blue Economy, from food security and coastal resilience to startup growth and national security. May 19-21, 2026 in Gulfport, MS Register Here: https://www.gulfbluenavigator.org/innovation-week/

StartUp Gulf Coast 2026 Pitch Competition

Join us at the StartUp Gulf Coast 2026 Pitch Competition for a high-energy event where founders pitch their businesses, compete for cash prizes, and connect with Mississippi’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. This event is part of Mississippi’s statewide pitch network, powere......More

Join us at the StartUp Gulf Coast 2026 Pitch Competition for a high-energy event where founders pitch their businesses, compete for cash prizes, and connect with Mississippi’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. This event is part of Mississippi’s statewide pitch network, powered by Innovate Mississippi and the Mississippi Small Business Development Center Network, bringing together entrepreneurs from across the state. The competition features two pitch tracks—Scalable Business and Traditional Business—and is one of eight regional pitch events held statewide, with over $200,000 in total prize money available across all eight events. Participants gain access to experienced mentors, receive valuable feedback from judges, and ventures with high-growth potential may be invited to join Innovate Mississippi’s CoBuilders Accelerator, beginning August 2026. Ready to take the stage? Apply now! Deadline: April 12 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.

Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, 246 Dolan Ave, Gulfport, MS, 39507, United States

CONNECT: Networking for Entrepreneurs

CONNECT is an opportunity for entrepreneurs, mentors, investors and anyone interested in entrepreneurship and innovation to network and form meaningful relationships. CONNECT is held the first Thursday of every month from 4:30 -6:30 pm. This month we will be meeting at ......More

CONNECT is an opportunity for entrepreneurs, mentors, investors and anyone interested in entrepreneurship and innovation to network and form meaningful relationships. CONNECT is held the first Thursday of every month from 4:30 -6:30 pm. This month we will be meeting at the Fertile Ground, 800 Manship St., Jackson, MS. Join us at Fertile Ground and enjoy a cash bar and plenty of food options available for purchase while you connect. We hope to see you there! Register here Fertile Ground:800 Manship Street #Suite 101 Jackson, MS 39202

Fertile Ground Beer Co., 800 Manship St Suite 101, Jackson, MS, 39202

Southern Spark 2026

Join educators, technologists, community leaders, and innovators from across Mississippi and the South for three days of learning, connection, and practical exploration of AI in education, workforce development, business, and public service. Includes: Full access to all......More

Join educators, technologists, community leaders, and innovators from across Mississippi and the South for three days of learning, connection, and practical exploration of AI in education, workforce development, business, and public service. Includes: Full access to all keynotes, panels, workshops, and breakout sessionsAdmission to the evening reception at the Bean BarnConference materials and post-event resourcesLunch and refreshments during the conferenceWho this is for:Anyone attending Southern Spark to learn, connect, and bring ideas back to their organization or community. Register Here: https://www.mississippiai.org/registration26

Jackson State University Student Center, 1328 John R. Lynch Street, Jackson, MS, 39203, United States

Oxford Lafayette Incorporated Pitch Competition

Join us at the OLinc Pitch Competition in Oxford for a high-energy event where founders pitch their businesses, compete for cash prizes, and connect with Mississippi’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. This event is part of Mississippi’s statewide pitch network, powered by Inn......More

Join us at the OLinc Pitch Competition in Oxford for a high-energy event where founders pitch their businesses, compete for cash prizes, and connect with Mississippi’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. This event is part of Mississippi’s statewide pitch network, powered by Innovate Mississippi and the Mississippi Small Business Development Center Network, bringing together entrepreneurs from across the state. The competition features two pitch tracks—Scalable Business and Traditional Business—and is one of eight regional pitch events held statewide, with over $200,000 in total prize money available across all eight events. Participants gain access to experienced mentors, receive valuable feedback from judges, and ventures with high-growth potential may be invited to join Innovate Mississippi’s CoBuilders Accelerator, beginning August 2026. Apply here – https://airtable.com/appEXKLwQ5oSAorxH/paguujTrAxob42H6z/form 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.

Oxford Conference Center, 102 Ed Perry Blvd, Oxford, MS, 38655, United States

The Community Development Foundation Pitch Competition

Join us at the Community Foundation Pitch Competition for a high-energy event where founders pitch their businesses, compete for cash prizes, and connect with Mississippi’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. This event is part of Mississippi’s statewide pitch network, powered b......More

Join us at the Community Foundation Pitch Competition for a high-energy event where founders pitch their businesses, compete for cash prizes, and connect with Mississippi’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. This event is part of Mississippi’s statewide pitch network, powered by Innovate Mississippi and the Mississippi Small Business Development Center Network, bringing together entrepreneurs from across the state. The competition features two pitch tracks—Scalable Business and Traditional Business—and is one of eight regional pitch events held statewide, with over $200,000 in total prize money available across all eight events. Participants gain access to experienced mentors, receive valuable feedback from judges, and ventures with high-growth potential may be invited to join Innovate Mississippi’s CoBuilders Accelerator, beginning August 2026. Apply here. https://airtable.com/appEXKLwQ5oSAorxH/pagHxTFjhnv9UqF3v/form 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.

Renasant Center for Ideas, 398 E Main St, Tupelo, MS, 38804, United States

Sloss.Tech/Ideas Southeast Pitch Competition

Funded by a grant from the Regions Foundation   Sloss.Tech/Ideas is a platform for early-stage companies in the Southeast U.S. to present their groundbreaking solutions in Agtech and foodtech Healthtech and biotech Talent and Productivity Tech and Emerging tech to inves......More

Funded by a grant from the Regions Foundation   Sloss.Tech/Ideas is a platform for early-stage companies in the Southeast U.S. to present their groundbreaking solutions in Agtech and foodtech Healthtech and biotech Talent and Productivity Tech and Emerging tech to investors and industry experts.   When: Wednesday, June 24th, 2026   Location: Lyric Theatre 1800 3rd Avenue North Birmingham, AL 35203   Why Apply to Sloss.Tech/Ideas? $135,000 in total prizes, including a $100,000 Best in Show Grand PrizeAt least 25% of finalists walk away with cash prizes$375 travel stipend for every finalist company to support participationVIP access to Sloss Tech, unlocking curated exposure to investors, customers, partners, and collaborators across the SoutheastPre-event and on-site pitch coaching to sharpen your story before you step on stageHigh-signal founder-funder touchpoints, including the Startup Showcase and Founders & Funders programming Proof point: 100% of finalists in Year 1 reported meeting at least one investor, customer, or partner they planned to follow up with after the conference. If you’re a Southeast-based early-stage founder looking for capital, credibility, and real conversations that move your company forward, Sloss.Tech/Ideas is built for you.   Categories Sloss.Tech/Ideas, funded by a grant from the Regions Foundation, is currently accepting applications from startups from the Southeast, focusing on the following technology.   Agtech and Foodtech Innovative technologies and solutions transforming agriculture, aquaculture, and food industries, with an emphasis on sustainability, efficiency, and resilience. This includes advances in genomics-improved crop varieties, cold storage capacity, eco-friendly bio-stimulants, and innovations in food processing and supply chain resilience. Cutting-edge methods like hydroponics, vertical farming, and precision agriculture enable growers to enhance productivity and address emerging challenges while exploring opportunities in Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) and value-added food manufacturing.   Healthtech and Biotech Innovative technologies revolutionizing healthcare, biotechnology, and life sciences by advancing biopharmaceutical manufacturing, regenerative medicine, and clinical trials with diverse populations. This category also highlights breakthroughs in diagnostics, bioinformatics, and synthetic biology, supported by workforce training and technology transfer. These innovations foster collaboration and growth in fields like drug development, medical devices, and environmental health.   Talent and Productivity Tech Technologies that power how work is organized, managed, and delivered across modern organizations. This category includes platforms that support hiring, workforce planning, training, scheduling, compliance, productivity, and performance across a wide range of industries. Solutions often leverage data, automation, and AI to help organizations and workers operate more efficiently, adapt to changing skill demands, and succeed in evolving models of work.   Emerging Tech Innovative technologies at the forefront of industry transformation, serving as a home for startups that defy traditional categories. This includes advancements in artificial intelligence, machine learning, internet of things (IoT), software as a service (SaaS), edtech, fintech, and Tech for Good initiatives. It also spans breakthroughs in chemical manufacturing, advanced engineering, forestry innovations, clean energy, and sustainability solutions. From real-time monitoring and smart infrastructure to energy-efficient data centers and sustainable materials, these technologies enhance connectivity, drive automation, and address global challenges. This category captures pioneering ideas shaping the future of tech and tech-enabled industries, bridging the gap between emerging needs and innovative solutions. Sloss Tech will accept applications from February 3rd, 2026, to April 10th, 2026. To learn more and apply, click HERE.