If you want to have your mind blown, show up Tuesday morning at the Powerhouse, and it’s not about art this time.

Innovate Mississippi chose Oxford to host a Discovery Luncheon, which is a fun, open setting where people can network and learn about innovation and entrepreneurial activity in our community.

The community-based event is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and FNC and the Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation are partnering up to bring it to town.

Tony Jeff, president and CEO of Innovate Mississippi, said the event has a proven format that helps people learn what’s going on around them and make valuable contacts for both professional and personal growth.

Two speakers this year will encourage and uplift residents.

Josh Mabus, who founded the Mabus Agency in Tupelo as a creative marketing firm and then was so successful that he expanded business into Jackson, is a featured speaker. Another entrepreneur speaker is Dr. Chip Wade, chief science officer of OrthoKinematics, a medical image startup launched in Mississippi. Time is worked into the event for questions from the audience. 

There are some extremely sharp minds in Oxford, Lafayette County and the University of Mississippi. We are a highly educated community, particularly with the influx of retirees locally and leadership and student minds at the school. If you have ever had an idea of a product to create, attend the luncheon and get some ideas and creative feedback. If you are sick of having a boss and a daily grind and have a remarkable idea for starting your own business, this is an opportunity to take advantage of. Learn from these two speakers if you think you have what it takes to take a gamble on yourself and become an entrepreneur.

“The EDF is excited that Innovate Mississippi chose Oxford for a Discovery Luncheon,” said Jon Maynard, president and CEO of the Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation and Chamber of Commerce. “Our efforts at job creation in Lafayette County are heavily focused on innovation and entrepreneurship. The University of Mississippi provides Oxford the opportunity to be a prime location in Mississippi for new businesses being developed. Our ecosystem for innovation is taking shape, and we are seeing tremendous success in startup development.”

We at the EAGLE are excited also about the opportunities this event provides and hope budding entrepreneurs in the area take advantage of this both for their growth and for the benefit of the community.