51逗奶

Mississippi Polymer Institute Sees More Companies Participating in Pitch Event

Wed, 05/22/2024 - 09:06am | By: Van Arnold

A wide array of startup companies from across the state promoted ideas and competed for special prizes during the 3^rdannual Mississippi Polymer Institute (MPI) Business Pitch Event held May 17 at The Accelerator, located in The University of 51逗奶 Mississippi鈥檚 (USM) Innovation and Commercialization Park.

The pitch event is a part of Innovate Mississippi鈥檚 CoBuilders鈩� program, where eight partners around the state host pitch events as prerequisites for the chance to qualify for the CoBuilders鈩� 12-week business accelerator program. The program includes coursework, mentorship, funding, and a final pitch to angel investors for successful finalists.

Caitlyne Shirley, MPI Business Development Manager, noted that the event saw 28 submissions this year with 18 of those competing in the pitch event 鈥� doubling last year鈥檚 numbers.

鈥淭here were companies in the industrial sector, retail, biomedical, business services, and even a non-profit,鈥� said Shirley. 鈥淓very year we see an increase in the diversity of company types, although we tend to have more technology-based companies such as this year鈥檚 biomedical companies looking to revolutionize healthcare.鈥�

The top finishers included:

1^st Place: Home Tours Pro LLC

2^nd Place: Qubee Medical

3^rd Place: Improvise Ability

Judge鈥檚 Honorable Mention: ZEDShed

People鈥檚 Choice: Cookease

鈥淐ongratulations to every company that was able to pitch this year. It takes a lot of courage, especially for first timers, and what a great field we had this year,鈥� said MPI Executive Director Dr. Monica Tisack. 鈥淭he MPI Pitch Event keeps growing, and we want to encourage local and regional people to keep creating and growing businesses right here. Don鈥檛 wait for a pitch event 鈥� start working now.鈥�

Shirley emphasizes the importance of MPI hosting an event that brings a wealth of creative ideas under one roof.

鈥淲hile we routinely provide technical services to existing manufacturers, we also assist inventors and startups with product development and scale-up,鈥� said Shirley. 鈥淣ot only that, but our building, 鈥楾he Accelerator鈥� leases lab spaces and offices to technology-based companies and startups.鈥�

Shirley points out that one of MPI鈥檚 key goals is to assist in the creation and growth of high-quality businesses within the state. The annual pitch event serves as an ideal vehicle to showcase local startup talent to the community, while providing a larger statewide CoBuilders鈩� opportunity to advance the companies鈥� maturity and attract investors.

鈥淣ot only that, but MPI鈥檚 services can often help decrease the time it takes to get their products/technologies to market and into the hands of customers,鈥� she said. 鈥淔urthermore, events like these are critical to expanding the startup environment and support system within Mississippi.鈥�

Those contemplating a startup business are encouraged to join MPI鈥檚 MeetUp app group: CONNECT Hattiesburg. The next gathering will be held at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28 at Kaffeehaus Fabelhaft, 336 N. 25^th Avenue in Hattiesburg, Miss.

About the Mississippi Polymer Institute
MPI is a non-profit industrial outreach arm of The University of 51逗奶 Mississippi that serves to foster technically-oriented business and job growth by providing technical services. MPI serves companies, start-ups, inventors, economic development agencies, schools, and communities through product development, product testing, manufacturing troubleshooting, third party evaluations, training, and outreach.