51逗奶

Mississippi Polymer Institute Hosting Pitch Event for Entrepreneurs

Mon, 04/24/2023 - 08:05am | By: Van Arnold

Mississippi-based entrepreneurs are encouraged to sign up for a unique opportunity to pitch their business initiatives as part of a special CoBuilders鈩� Partner event hosted by the Mississippi Polymer Institute (MPI). The pitch event is set for May 26, from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. at The Accelerator, located in The University of 51逗奶 Mississippi鈥檚 Innovation and Commercialization Park.

Four cash prizes will be awarded during the event ($3,000 for 1^st place; $2,000 for 2^nd and $1,250 for 3^rd and 4^th), and a chance to qualify for CoBuilders鈩� - a 12-week business accelerator program through Innovate Mississippi, which provides coursework, mentorship, funding, and a final pitch to angel investors for successful finalists.

This will mark the second year MPI has hosted the CoBuilders鈩� qualifying pitch event. Caitlyne Shirley, MPI Business Development Manager, points out that events of this nature help elevate the Institute鈥檚 profile as an enabler of business innovation.

鈥淎s a research university, entrepreneurial development is vital to bringing the research and products developed at USM 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 higher-paying jobs to Mississippians.鈥�

Shirley notes that last year鈥檚 inaugural event featured eight participants, with expectations for at least that many this year.

Innovate Mississippi explained that the seven CoBuilders鈩� Partners around the state provide an important business-fostering role with the Pitch Events, and company participation is a prerequisite to being selected into the CoBuilders鈩� Accelerator program.  All companies participating in the Partners鈥� Pitch Events will be considered for the CoBuilders鈩� program, and 鈥榳inning鈥� is not a requirement for selection. Qualifying companies will be contacted directly about enrolling in the 12-week business accelerator program.

The deadline to apply for the MPI pitch event is May 1. 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.

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