Aspiring business owners will have a chance to win start-up funds and get their ideas noticed by investors this summer with the return of Innovate Mississippi’s CoBuilders Program.

Sponsored by the Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation, in partnership with the University of Mississipppi, CoBuilders, a partnership-driven accelerator, was first launched by Innovate Mississippi in 2022.

It 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 on June 12 with the deadline to apply set for May 21.

Companies interested in applying for the Oxford Pitch Competition can do so by going to www.cobuilders.ms.

No more than eight local entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to pitch their concept to a panel of judges made up of regional entrepreneurs, investors and entrepreneurial service providers.

Selected participants will receive pre-pitch business coaching and the opportunity to compete for cash prizes up to $7,500 and be considered for the CoBuilders Statewide Accelerator.

For more information, contact Allen Kurr at 662-234-4651, allen@oxfordms.com, or visit www.cobuilders.ms.