CoBuilders Pitch Day was what everybody was working toward—the culmination of the 12-week, inaugural CoBuilders Mississippi statewide accelerator program. Pitch Day, held on July 28 at the Fertile Ground Beer Company brewery in Jackson’s Belhaven neighborhood, drew a diverse crowd of entrepreneurs, investors, and mentors. CoBuilders is “powered” by Microsoft.

CoBuilders regional partners selected promising companies from around the state. They sent them to the CoBuilders accelerator, which has a kick-off day in Jackson and then met virtually for 12 weeks. Innovate Mississippi and its partners designed the accelerator program to give aspiring entrepreneurs the resources and support they need to turn their ideas into successful startups.

Fourteen companies gave their pitch to the crowd, with seven of them specifically pitching investors. The entrepreneurs selected to present their pitches had undergone weeks of preparation and refinement, with guidance and feedback from the CoBuilders team. Each pitch showcased a unique startup idea, focusing on innovation, impact, and scalability. The audience of experienced entrepreneurs and investors provided insightful feedback and asked challenging questions.

“We are thrilled with the results of the inaugural CoBuilders and our entrepreneurs’ progress,” said Innovate Mississippi CEO Tony Jeff. “We believe that innovation and collaboration are key to building a better future for Mississippi. 

In 2022, CoBuilders relied on regional partners and both statewide and national sponsors. Microsoft served as Title Sponsor, Mississippi Development Authority and Fertile Ground Beer Co. as Statewide Sponsors, Mississippi Enterprise for Technology and Mississippi Power as Regional Sponsors, Jones Walker, MWB, Renasant Bank, Trustmark, and Higher Purpose Co. as prize sponsors, MSU Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach as Reception Sponsor, and many other supporting sponsors.

JJ Townsend was there representing Microsoft and TechSpark. “[The startup companies] receive mentor support and a few other resources to help them get off the ground, and this is the pilot for it, so we are excited to see where this program goes after the second and third year as well,” he told WLBT News, whose reporter Roslyn Anderson covered the event.

For more information on CoBuilders, a partnership-driven startup accelerator for Mississippi, and the plan for 2023, visit CoBuilders.ms.