CoBuilders Partners

Oxford / Lafayette Economic Development Foundation – Oxford, MS

Oxford EDF Logo
The University of Mississippi Logo
The Oxford/Lafayette Economic Development Foundation seeks to increase the economic development activity of the region through providing a vibrant business environment in which companies can grow and thrive.  As close partners with the University of Mississippi, the EDF also works to assist technology transfer businesses to grow and thrive in the area.  As a partner in the CoBuilders Accelerator, the EDF is working with other partners in North Mississippi to assist companies from the region.

Startup Focus: Early-stage companies generally in North Mississippi

Application Process: The pitch competition will be held on June 12th. Apply here by April 30th.

This business pitch competition, powered by Innovate Mississippi and the Mississippi Small Business Development Center Network, offers two distinct pitch pathways – one for high growth startups and another for traditional small businesses.
  • Traditional & Lifestyle (SBDC Track)
  • High-Growth Innovation & Technology (Innovate MS Track)
Participants can apply through this single shared application and both tracks offer cash prizes, valuable exposure, and 1-1 business coaching. Only a limited number of finalists will be selected from the applicant pool and invited to pitch, however all applicants will be connected with small business development resources and invited to join the entrepreneurial community in cheering on our finalists on pitch day.

The Oxford Pitch Competition will be held on Thursday, June 12, 2025, 1pm – 6pm at the Oxford Conference Center with the deadline to apply set for COB Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
Please Note:
Submitting an application DOES NOT guarantee you entry into the Oxford Pitch Competition.  All applications are subject to review and local mentorship will be required prior to the pitch competition.  Also, please note that winning the regional pitch event is not a guarantee of acceptance into the CoBuilders Cohort. By applying, applicants indicate their intent to participate in the Oxford Pitch competition, and if selected, participate in the statewide cohort for Fall 2024.  
For further information please contact Allen Kurr (allen@oxfordms.com) or call the Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation at 662-234-4651.

Higher Purpose, Co. – Clarksdale, MS

Higher Purpose Co Logo

Higher Purpose Co.’s mission is to build community wealth with Black residents in Mississippi by supporting the ownership of financial, cultural, and political power. As a valued partner in the CoBuilders Accelerator, Higher Purpose Co. will support black-owned businesses from all over the state of Mississippi.  Higher Purpose Business Membership applications are now being accepted. HPC Membership is designed to offer Mississippi entrepreneurs, farmers, and artists, services and support for their existing and growing business that falls within the seven priority sectors which are beauty, food/agriculture, education, healthcare, housing, transportation, and art.

Startup Focus: Black-owned Mississippi Small Businesses

Application Process: The pitch competition will be held on May 15th.

For further information please contact Angela Williams at angela@higherpurposeco.org  or Shakira Wyms at shakira@higherpurposeco.org or call 6o1-988-8081.

Mississippi State E-Center

MSU E-Center Logo
The MSU Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach empowers students and Mississippi residents to plan, launch and grow successful local and global companies based on new ideas or MSU invented technology. Our companies are graded in the real world – by success or failure with actual, paying customers. We use applied learning to strengthen our pipeline of entrepreneurs from K-12 to college students to graduates and have broad involvement of alumni and friends to help mentor, coach and invest in our startups. As a partner in the CoBuilders Accelerator, we join a team that is working to propel Mississippi’s next wave of technology startups.

Startup Focus: Conceptual or early-stage companies located within Mississippi, or abroad with some connection to MSU. (Only Mississippi-based companies can be selected for CoBuilders, but MSU affiliated companies from any location can participate in the Startup Summit.)

Application Process: The pitch competition will be held April 24th-25th.

For further information please contact Garrison Walker at gwalker@ecenter.msstate.edu.

The Community Development Foundation

The Community Development Foundation (CDF) is a membership-based organization serving to advance the community through partnerships and growth initiatives for more than 75 years. We are the local Chamber of Commerce for Tupelo, Mississippi and serve as the economic development organization for Tupelo/Lee County, Mississippi. CDF’s business incubator is the Renasant Center for IDEAs, and the mission of the incubator is to provide the physical and social infrastructure to assist in the formation and development of successful small businesses, which will diversify our area’s economy, create regional job opportunities, and foster economic growth and vitality. CDF & the Renasant Center for IDEAs partnership with CoBuilders Accelerator will help us strengthen our mission with our startups and entrepreneurs in our area.

Startup Focus: Early-stage companies in Tupelo/Lee County, Mississippi and surrounding areas.

Application Process: The pitch competition will be held on June 16th. Apply here by May 2nd.

For further information please contact Judd Wilson at jwilson@cdfms.org or at 662-842-4521.

The Bean Path

The Bean Path Logo
The Bean Path is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded by Dr. Nashlie Sephus that provides assistance to companies in Jackson and the surrounding areas. Additionally, they extend support through scholarships, grants, and awards to empower students and recognize the contributions of community organizations.

Startup Focus: Early-stage companies in Jackson, Mississippi, and the surrounding areas

Application Process: The pitch competition will be held on May 5th.

For further information please contact Tamika Jenkins via email at tamika@thebeanpath.org or Lena Horne at lena@thebeanpath.org

MSU E-Center Vicksburg

The Mississippi State Entrepreneurship Center in Vicksburg seeks to develop entrepreneurial ventures in the Vicksburg region and to draw particularly from the technology partners and connections associated with ERDC and ERDCWerx.  Located in the beautiful MCITy Building in downtown Vicksburg, the MSE E-Center Vicksburg brings all of the resources and experience of MSU’s E-Center to the River City and surrounding areas.  As a partner in the CoBuilders Accelerator, the MSU E-Center Vicksburg is working with other partners to assist companies from the region.

Startup Focus:  Early-stage companies generally in the Vicksburg region

Application Process: The pitch competition will be held on June 26th.

For further information please contact Tasha Bibb tasha.bibb@msstate.edu or call the MSU E-Center Vicksburg office at 662-325-0485.

Mississippi Polymer Institute

Mississippi Polymer Institute Logo
The University of Southern Mississippi Logo
The Mississippi Polymer Institute cultivates business growth and participation in advanced materials markets.  As the industrial outreach component of the University of Southern Mississippi’s 500-acre Innovation and Commercialization Park, we collectively provide capabilities and resources relevant to businesses at all stages of maturity. As a partner in the CoBuilders Accelerator and the NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MMA-MEP), MPI works with other partners around Mississippi to assist early-stage companies.

Startup Focus: Early-stage companies generally focused on material-based products (preferably), but all area startups are encouraged to sign up.

Application Process: The pitch competition will be held on May 15th. 

For further information please contact MPI at 601- 266-4094.

Gulf Coast Business Council / The Meeting Place

The Meeting Place Logo

The Gulf Coast Business Council is a private 501(c)(6), member-based organization primarily focused on community and economic development. Our general membership consists of the lead decision-makers of companies doing business in Coastal Mississippi (Hancock, Harrison, Jackson). The council exists to inform and engage our members in order to identify, develop and advocate for solutions that enhance our competitive advantage so we can grow our economy and improve the quality of life in Coastal Mississippi.

The Meeting Place seeks to increase economic development of the Mississippi Gulf Coast region by providing a vibrant business environment in which companies can grow and thrive.  Through well-established relationships with the Mississippi Small Business Development Center (MS SBDC), the Mississippi Enterprise for Technology (MSET), the Gulf Coast Business Council (GCBC) Research Foundation, Innovate Mississippi, and the local Chambers of Commerce, The Meeting Place functions as a business incubator to give both startups and experienced businesses alike the best opportunity to build a solid, stable foundation on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Startup Focus: Companies with investable products on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Application Process: The pitch competition will be held on June 10th. Apply here by April 30th

For further information please contact Geneva Dummer at info@tmp-ms.com or 228-207-0663.