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 by industry-respected leaders serving as judges from companies all across the region.

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 Center for Entrepreneurship & Outreach in the College of Business.

When?

Deadline to Apply: Tuesday, March 25th

Mississippi Made: Thursday, April 24th

Bulldog Business & Awards: Friday, April 25th

Where?

Starkville, Mississippi

McCool Hall, Mississippi State University

The Mill Conference Center

Thursday

Webex/Teams & McCool Hall, MSU Campus

10:00-12:30: Mississippi Made Competition, Virtual

12:30-1:00: Lunch

1:00-3:30: Mississippi Made Competition, Hybrid (Virtual/In-Person Mix)

3:30:-4:00: Light Dinner

4:00-6:30: Mississippi Made Competition, In-Person

Friday

The Mill Conference Center, Starkville, MS

3:00: Doors Open

3:30: Finalists Announced

4:00: Finalist Pitches

5:00: Judge Deliberation

5:30: Winners Announced

6:00: Reception

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 25th
All applicants will be invited to Mississippi State’s campus as semi-finalists for the Startup Summit festivities taking place April 24th & 25th
After being notified of acceptance, teams are expected to meet with E-Center staff once a week starting March 31st, or they will be disqualified
Pitches will take place on April 24th in McCool Hall
The top 3 finalists will be announced on April 25th at 4pm during the Bulldog Business Competition 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 25th
6 applicants will be invited to Mississippi State’s campus as semi-finalists for the Startup Summit festivities taking place April 24th & 25th
Each semi-finalist team will be awarded $3,000 to help support their travel and stay
Pitches will take place at 12pm on April 25th in The Mill Conference Center
The top 3 finalists will be announced on April 25th at 4pm in The Mill Conference Center