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

Hattiesburg CONNECT

Want to grow your business and connect with other entrepreneurs? Come network at our CONNECT event, a monthly informal gathering designed for startups and entrepreneurs in our area. This is a casual, come-as-you-are atmosphere where you can gain insight, meet potential ......More

Want to grow your business and connect with other entrepreneurs? Come network at our CONNECT event, a monthly informal gathering designed for startups and entrepreneurs in our area. This is a casual, come-as-you-are atmosphere where you can gain insight, meet potential collaborators, and tap into local resources to help move your business forward. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale, this is your chance to exchange ideas, tackle challenges, and build relationships with people who understand the entrepreneurial journey. Make connections, seek and give guidance, and strengthen the local startup community on Thursday, May 21st at 4:30 PM at Ed’s Burger Joint in Hattiesburg, MS. CONNECT is brought to you collaboratively by the Mississippi Polymer Institute (MPI) at USM, which offers hands-on support and technical expertise for inventors and businesses, and by Innovate Mississippi, the state’s driver for entrepreneurial growth. RSVP HERE: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/720a0aaa-63c2-4de7-a0e4-3abef073396a

Bean Path AI Month

AI Month 2026: A Month of Innovation, Built for Everyone Join the Bean Path in June for a citywide experience designed to help Metro Jackson explore how artificial intelligence is shaping everyday life, careers, and businesses. From networking with industry leaders to h......More

AI Month 2026: A Month of Innovation, Built for Everyone Join the Bean Path in June for a citywide experience designed to help Metro Jackson explore how artificial intelligence is shaping everyday life, careers, and businesses. From networking with industry leaders to hands-on learning experiences, AI Month is your chance to engage, learn, and grow in today’s digital world. What to Expect:AI Month Luncheon (June 3) – Connect with leaders and explore AI’s impactSouthern Spark + AI Afterhours (June 11–12) – Innovation, insights, and networkingOATS Scavenger Hunt (June 17) – AI made accessible for older adultsYouth Events (June 22–23) – Fun, engaging AI conversations for kids & teensAI Digital Storytelling Camp (June 24–26) – Creativity meets technology Register for Events

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