Pitch your business for a chance to win cash prizes out of the $100k+ pool to jumpstart your startup!
You will be evaluated based on your presentation on proposed technology, management, financials, and market.
What?
Startup Summit will consist of 2 business plan competitions this year. A state-wide circuit and a national circuit, both hosted by Mississippi State University’s E-Center in the College of Business.
When?
Deadline to Apply: Monday, March 9th
Startup Summit 2026: Friday, April 10th
Where?
Friday
The Mill Conference Center, Starkville, MS
8:30: Doors Open
9:00-12:00: Mississippi Made & Bulldog Business Competition
12:00-3:30: Lunch, Networking, & Judge Deliberation
3:30-5:30: Finalist Pitches
5:30-6:30: Light Dinner, Networking, & Judge Deliberation
6:30: Winners Announced
Mississippi Made Competition (State of MS)
For any company located in that state of Mississippi that is less than 5 years old and has less than 10 employees
- Must submit pitch deck using the application link by March 9th
- Applicants will be invited to Mississippi State’s campus as semi-finalists for the Startup Summit festivities taking place April 10th
- After being notified of acceptance, teams are expected to meet with E-Center staff once a week starting March 16th, or they will be disqualified
- Pitches will take place at 9:00 am on April 10th in The Mill Conference Center
- Top 3 finalists will be announced on April 10th at 3:30 pm during the in The Mill Conference Center
Bulldog Business Competition (United States)
For any undergraduate, graduate, or other collegiate classified student owned startup within the conterminous United States
- Must submit formal business plan and pitch deck using the application link by March 9th
- 10 applicants will be invited to Mississippi State’s campus as semi-finalists for the Startup Summit festivities taking place April 10th
- Each semi-finalist team will be awarded $2,000 to help support their travel and stay
- Pitches will take place beginning at 9:00 am on April 10th in The Mill Conference Center
- Top 3 finalists will be announced on April 10th at 3:30 pm in The Mill Conference Center
Prize Money
Mississippi Made Awards
Maroon (1st) – $10,000
White (2nd) – $5,000
Gray (3rd) – $2,500
Regions Foundation Innovation Prize
1 Team from Mississippi Made Competition – $10,000
Contingent Upon Selection
Future Entrepreneur Award – $1,000
People’s Choice Award – $2,000
Top 6 Teams – 1 Year CoWork Membership / $1,200 Value
Top 6 Teams – MBA Consulting Group / $2,500 Value
2 Prizes – Apothecary Creative Video Credits / $800 Value
Bulldog Business Awards
Gold (1st) – $25,000
Silver (2nd) – $15,000
Bronze (3rd) – $5,000
Regions Foundation Innovation Prize
1 Team from Bulldog Business Competition- $10,000
