Annual Pitch Event to Showcase Mississippi-based Entrepreneurs
Mon, 03/25/2024 - 07:11am | By: Van Arnold
Mississippi-based entrepreneurs are encouraged to sign up for an opportunity to pitch their business initiatives at the 3rd annual Mississippi Polymer Institute (MPI) Business Pitch Event from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Friday, 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 seven 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, emphasizes that these types of events support and catalyze local business innovation.
鈥淎s a research university, entrepreneurial development is vital to bringing research and products to the public,鈥� said Shirley. 鈥淣ot only is the Pitch Event a great conduit for USM activities, but it aligns perfectly with MPI鈥檚 mission to help foster the growth of technology and innovation-focused businesses within the state with the aim to bring better products and higher-paying jobs to Mississippians.鈥�
Shirley notes that last year鈥檚 event featured nine participants, and they will be expanding the field this year.
鈥淭he quality of the business pitches gets better every year, and we can鈥檛 wait to see what this year brings. We are expanding the lineup so that earlier-stage companies can get more experience pitching and to grow our entrepreneur community.鈥�
All start-ups are encouraged to submit proposals; however biotech and material-based startups are particularly encouraged because of the large presence of medical and material know-how in the southern region.
Cash prizes will also be awarded in addition to the chance entry to the Cobuilder鈩� cohort.
The deadline to apply for the MPI pitch event is April 17th. To sign up, visit the .
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.