The Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation, in partnership with the University of Mississippi and the Mississippi Small Business Development Center Network, announced the return of Innovate Mississippi’s CoBuilders Program to Oxford.

CoBuilders, a Partnership-Driven Accelerator, first launched by Innovate Mississippi in 2022, is a 12-week intensive and structured program designed to accelerate the growth of qualifying startup companies primarily in technology and innovation. 

Companies selected for the program will be identified through their participation in one of eight regional pitch competitions to be held in Clarksdale, Starkville, Jackson, Vicksburg, Hattiesburg, Biloxi, Tupelo and Oxford.

The Oxford Pitch Competition will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. on June 12 at the Oxford Conference Center, with the deadline to apply set for COB on April 30.

New to the 2025 business pitch competition, powered by Innovate Mississippi and the Mississippi Small Business Development Center Network, is the offering of two district pathways –  one for high-growth startups and another for traditional small businesses.  

Participants can apply through a single shared application with both tracks offering cash prizes, valuable exposure, and 1-1 business coaching. Only a limited number of finalists will be selected from the applicant pool and invited to pitch, however, all applicants will be connected with small business development resources and invited to join the entrepreneurial community cheering on our finalists on pitch day.  

This pitch event, joining seven other regional competitions around the state, serves as a qualifying opportunity for companies to be considered for Innovate Mississippi’s CoBuilders Accelerator—a 12-week intensive program designed to fast-track the growth of promising Mississippi startups.  

To learn more about the CoBuilders Accelerator and to apply for the Oxford Pitch Competition, visit www.cobuilders.ms or contact Allen Kurr at 662-234-4651 or allen@oxfordms.com.