What is CoBuilders?
Funding
We are seeking funds through sponsorships or charitable donations to increase the prize pool for each startup invited to participate in the Cohort.
Innovate Mississippi is providing $150,000 and our goal is to raise an additional $150,000 – $300,000.
Over 90% of all charitable donations and sponsorships will go directly to the startup companies in the cohort. We will have some hard expenses to cover such as website development, graphics, event advertising, signage, and event costs (venue, catering, photography, videography, etc.), but we will work to keep these expenses to a minimum.
For example, a donation of $50,000 will provide each startup in the cohort (10) with an additional $2,150 in seed funding above the funding that Innovate Mississippi is providing. This will go a long way for a startup seeking to successfully launch their business.
Sponsorship Opportunity
As a sponsor of CoBuilders, you are not only seeding the success of new startup ventures, your company will receive visibility and recognition as a supporter of innovation and entrepreneurship throughout Mississippi, to an audience of investors, entrepreneurs, universities, community colleges, economic developers, and others involved in growing innovation in Mississippi.
In addition, you will be co-branded with Innovate Mississippi and our partners, including Mississippi State University, Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation/The University of Mississippi, Higher Purpose Co, Jackson State University/The Beanpath, The Mississippi Polymer Institute at University of Southern Mississippi and The Meeting Place (MS Gulf Coast).
Regions represented include: Jackson, Gulf Coast, Hattiesburg, Vicksburg, Oxford, Starkville, Delta
Pitch Day
- Investor-Pitches – Companies raising investment capital
- Companies to Watch – Companies that may be investor-ready in the next 6 months, or may be looking for partners, doing a Kickstarter campaign, etc.
Stay tuned for details and location information
Sponsorship Levels
- Recognition as a Premier or Title Sponsor on CoBuilders.ms website and all advertising/pr/printed materials
- Recognition as a Premier Sponsor in local and statewide newspapers/tv stations/radio stations (*see attached media schedule)
- Recognition as a Premier Sponsor on Innovate Mississippi social media platforms (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) (*See attached social media stats and media schedule)
- Recognition on the Innovate Mississippi website blog, which will also follow the media schedule
- Sponsor recognition on signage and printed material during the regional competitions and the final “Pitch Day” event
- Photo during the cohort or at “Pitch Day” to be distributed with press release through Innovate Mississippi blog, social media channels and statewide media, to recognize your company and level of support
- Opportunity to speak during the final “Pitch Day” event
- Your sponsorship will provide additional seed funding for each of the 10 companies in the cohort, at over $2,000 per company
- Logo recognition as a Statewide Supporter on CoBuilders.ms website
- Recognition as a Statewide Supporter in local and statewide newspapers/tv stations/radio stations (*see attached media schedule)
- Recognition as a Statewide Supporter on Innovate Mississippi social media platforms (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) (*See attached social media stats and media schedule)
- Recognition on the Innovate Mississippi website blog, which will also follow the media schedule
- Recognition as a Statewide Supporter on signage and printed material during the regional competitions and the final “Pitch Day” event
- Photo during the cohort or at “Pitch Day” to be distributed with press release through Innovate Mississippi blog, social media channels and statewide media, to recognize your company and level of support
- Opportunity to speak during the final “Pitch Day” event
- Your sponsorship will provide additional seed funding for each of the 10 companies in the cohort, at over $1,000 per company
- Logo recognition as a Regional Supporter on CoBuilders.ms website
- Recognition as a Regional Supporter in regional specific newspapers/tv stations/radio stations (*see attached media schedule)
- Recognition as a Regional Supporter on Innovate Mississippi social media platforms (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) – campaign is targeted for the specific region(s) you are supporting (*See attached social media stats and media schedule); and for general distribution
- Recognition on the Innovate Mississippi website blog, which will also follow the media schedule
- Recognition as a Regional Supporter on signage and printed material during the regional competitions and the final “Pitch Day” event
- Photo during the Regional Pitch Competition that you are supporting for Press Release distribution through Innovate Mississippi blog, social media channels and local media, to recognize your company and level of support
- Opportunity to speak and/or present checks to winners during Regional Competition(s)
- Your sponsorship will provide additional seed funding for each of the companies in the selected region participating in the cohort, at over $3,000 per company
• Investors from around the state and region will be meeting one-to-one with founders throughout the day in a designated area
• Sponsor recognition on signage in the designated lounge or meeting space on Pitch Day
• Live sponsor recognition from the stage during the event
• Sponsor recognition on the CoBuilders.ms website
• Sponsor recognition through Innovate Mississippi social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, Twitter)
- Select a team of your choice to provide additional seed funding, at a minimum of $1,500
- Recognition as a Team Sponsor on the CoBuilders.ms website
- Photo with your team and press release for the Innovate Mississippi Blog, social media general distribution, and your local newspaper
- Recognition as a Team Sponsor on signage during the Regional Pitch competition where your team is located and during “Pitch Day”
- 100% of your sponsorship goes directly to support your team
- During the “Pitch Day” event, we will be awarding various special prizes to teams (i.e. Best Prototype, Think Outside the Box Award, Best Hustle, The Extra Mile Mentor Award, etc.)
- During “Pitch Day”, a representative from your company will be invited to the stage to present a special prize and cash award to the team selected; and your company will receive recognition for the prize and amount given
- A photo will be taken with you/your company representative and the team who wins your prize to be distributed through Innovate Mississippi Social Media Channels
- Sponsor recognition on signage during the “Pitch Day” event
- Sponsor recognition on the CoBuilders.ms website
- Sponsor recognition through Innovate Mississippi social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, Twitter)
• Lunch and snacks will be provided throughout the day from local restaurants
• Sponsor recognition on signage during the “Pitch Day” event where the food is being served
• Sponsor recognition on the CoBuilders.ms website
• Sponsor recognition through Innovate Mississippi social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, Twitter) prior to “Pitch Day”
• Fertile Ground will offer BEER TASTINGS and we will offer samples to guests at the afternoon reception
• Sponsor will receive live recognition when the round is announced
• Sponsor will receive recognition on signage at the bar throughout the event
Your Support
Your support will go a long way to ensure a successful launch of CoBuilders and will stimulate innovation-led economic development for Mississippi. We appreciate your consideration!
