News from Innovate Mississippi

May 2017

Code Mississippi: Creating a Statewide Tech Boom

Photo (L-R): Code Mississippi Leadership Team:

Tim Mask of Maris, West & Baker Advertising and Fast Forward Mississippi; Randy Lynn of Maris, West & Baker Advertising and Kids Code Mississippi; Matthew McLaughlin of Coalesce Co-working Space; J.C. Hiatt of Good Design & Code; Tony Jeff of Innovate Mississippi; and Nader Dabit of Jackson Web & App Developers Meetup Group

Innovate Mississippi recently launched the Code Mississippi program, a strategic initiative to help organize coding resources and bring coding leaders together within the state.

Coding, which is problem-solving using and/or creating computer programming and instructions, is "the problem-solving methodology of the future," said Tony Jeff, president and CEO of Innovate Mississippi. "We want to make sure that anyone interested in coding - or who is already coding - is connected to other coders, jobs and resources within our state."

Click here for the full story.

An Internationally Renowned Platform Helping

Mississippi Communities Grow Local Businesses

If you're an aspiring or seasoned entrepreneur looking to launch a new product or service, CO.STARTERS is for you. Coalesce Co-working Space, in partnership with Innovate Mississippi, is launching this month in Jackson the nine-week program that is designed to equip entrepreneurs with the insights, education, relationships and tools needed to turn business ideas into action.

"CO.STARTERS is an internationally proven product that will be led by people that have actual experience starting, advising and mentoring startups and small business owners," said Matthew McLaughlin of Coalesce in Downtown Jackson. "Providing our local entrepreneurs with a channel to tap into the widespread reach and resources of CO.STARTERS will give them a competitive advantage in launching their ventures here."

Click here to read the full press release on CO.STARTERS Jackson.
Click here to learn more about CO.STARTERS.

May 18: Deadline for Walmart's "Open Call" Event

Through its fourth annual Open Call event, Walmart is continuing its commitment to invest in American suppliers, products and manufacturing by purchasing an additional $250 billion in products made, grown or sourced in the U.S. by the year 2023.

Innovate Mississippi will once again be taking a delegation to the event, which will be held June 28 at Walmart headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, and will connect interested suppliers with current Walmart suppliers and successful participants from previous Open Call events.

If you are a Mississippi-based business that would like to be a supplier for Walmart, register online at Walmart registration process and then contact Tasha Bibb at [email protected] or Tony Jeff at [email protected] so that Innovate Mississippi can connect with you and help facilitate the process.

EVENTS!

May 9: MDA Spring Webinar - Social Media
May 11: MSU's Flashpoint Training for Startups

in Biloxi

May 15-16: Mississippi Development Authority's Procurement Opportunities Conference in Biloxi
Oct 17: Innovate Mississippi's Annual New Venture Challenge Pitch Competition in Jackson

Oct 18: Innovate Mississippi's Annual Conference on Technology Innovation in Jackson

Did You Know There are Grants for

Small Business Research?

While grants are not typically available for small high-tech firms, there is one exception: World-class researchers can access millions of dollars in grants through federal SBIR/STTR grants.

As a matter of fact, 11 federal agencies are required to set aside funding to provide to SBIR/STTR awards!

MS-FAST (The Mississippi - Federal and State Technology Partnership), which is led by Innovate Mississippi and The University of Southern Mississippi Business and Innovation Assistance Center, is in place to help Mississippi small businesses better compete for these grants. MS-FAST provides expertise, assistance and funding and to encourage commercialization of technologies that can be developed because of these programs. Plus, Mississippi companies making applications for SBIR and STTR grants may be eligible for up to $2,000 to cover grant application preparation and research.

MS-FAST is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Contact Joe Graben for more information. Click here to learn more about MS-FAST.

Innovate Mississippi

121 North State Street

Suite 500

Jackson, MS 39201

601-960-3610

www.innovate.ms