Innovate Mississippi / MS Angel Network/ MS Seed Fund

What Innovate Mississippi / MS Angel Network/ MS Seed Fund does

Innovate Mississippi is a private non-profit economic development organization established around 2004 and headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi (121 North State Street, Third Floor, Suite 500). Operating as the state's designated technology development and entrepreneurship agency, it provides free coaching, mentorship, and investor-readiness services to Mississippi-based startups, and administers multiple programs that channel seed and early-stage capital to those companies. Core programs include the Mississippi Seed Fund (Proof of Concept grants of $10,000, Proof of Concept loans of $25,000, Growth Fund of $100,000, and R&D Fund of $250,000), the Mississippi Angel Investor Network (presenting companies raising $250,000–$800,000), the CoBuilders 12-week intensive accelerator, FoundersPlus for women and minority founders, the MS-FAST SBIR/STTR federal funding assistance program, monthly CONNECT networking events, the annual Accelerate Conference, and the SPARK webinar series. The organization does not develop proprietary technology; its "platform" is a coach-and-connect service model augmented by an intake survey, regional partner network, service provider directory, and digital content channels.

The organization operates with a small core staff of 9–10 people, including a President & CEO (Tony Jeff), Vice President of Business Development (Janet Parker), Fund Manager for InvestMS (Lindsey Benefield), Investment Director (Victor Robinson), and several management consultants, analysts, and external affairs staff. Delivery is conducted through Innovate Mississippi's Jackson headquarters and seven regional hub partners spanning Starkville, Oxford, the Gulf Coast, Hattiesburg, Vicksburg, Jackson, and Tupelo. Over a 20-year operating history, the organization reports having helped develop more than 1,500 companies, connected startups to over $181 million in seed and venture capital, accelerated more than 800 companies, and contributed to over 2,000 high-paying jobs in Mississippi at an estimated state cost of approximately $10 per job.

Revenue is sourced from state government appropriations, private sector sponsorships (including AT&T Mississippi, Cadence, Fuse.cloud, Jones Walker, Microsoft, Mississippi Development Authority, and Regions Foundation), and foundation grants (notably W.K. Kellogg Foundation funding for FoundersPlus). The organization provides all entrepreneur-facing services at no charge, functioning as an economic development intermediary rather than a commercial enterprise. Innovate Mississippi has also been designated to administer Mississippi's SSBCI program (InvestMS), positioning it as a key conduit for federal and state small-business capital initiatives.

Name

Innovate Mississippi / MS Angel Network/ MS Seed Fund

Legal name

Innovate Mississippi

Website

https://innovate.ms

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Innovate Mississippi is a non-profit economic development organization that provides free coaching, seed funding, and investor connections to Mississippi-based startups. It administers the Mississippi Seed Fund, the Angel Investor Network, the CoBuilders Accelerator, and the FoundersPlus program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Entrepreneurial Development and Innovation Ecosystem Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Micro-VC & Angel Funds (FSANAAAI), Entrepreneurship & Small Business Workforce Programs (EDAAAOAM)

Keywords

• Startup accelerator services
• Seed fund programs
• Angel investor network
• Entrepreneurial development
• Innovation ecosystem building

Headquarters

HQ city

Ridgeland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. State Funding and Government Grants: Innovate Mississippi receives funding from public sources including state government appropriations to administer programs like the Mississippi Seed Fund.
2. Private Sponsorships: Annual sponsorships from companies and organizations that support the innovation ecosystem, including AT&T Mississippi, Cadence, Fuse.cloud, Jones Walker, Microsoft, Mississippi Development Authority, Regions Foundation, and others.
3. Foundation Grants: The FoundersPlus program is funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to support women and minority-owned startups.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Innovate Mississippi is a non-profit economic development organization that provides free coaching, mentorship, and investor introductions to Mississippi-based startups and entrepreneurs. It administers the Mississippi Seed Fund (providing staged funding from $10,000 to $250,000), operates the Mississippi Angel Investor Network connecting startups with accredited investors, and runs the CoBuilders 12-week accelerator program. Supporting programs include FoundersPlus for women and minority founders, MS-FAST for SBIR/STTR federal funding assistance, regional angel funds, and statewide pitch competitions.

Product overview

Innovate Mississippi is an economic development organization, not a software product company. It operates as a unified ecosystem of interconnected programs designed to support Mississippi entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey. The core offerings include the Mississippi Seed Fund (providing staged funding from $10,000 to $250,000), the Mississippi Angel Investor Network (connecting startups with accredited investors), and the CoBuilders Accelerator (a 12-week intensive program). Supporting programs include FoundersPlus for women and minority founders, the MS-FAST Program for SBIR/STTR federal funding assistance, regional angel funds, statewide pitch events, and monthly CONNECT networking events. These programs work together through a coach-and-connect model to develop startups from ideation through investor readiness.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FoundersPlus: An entrepreneurial development program focused on developing companies led by women and minority founders, funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
• CoBuilders
• CONNECT
• Accelerate Conference
• North Mississippi Angel Fund
• South Mississippi Angel Fund
• Mississippi Angel Fund
• Delta/Oxford Angel Fund

Products and services

• Mississippi Seed Fund Early-stage funding program for high-tech and high-growth Mississippi startups, offering staged capital: Proof of Concept grants ($10,000), Proof of Concept loans ($25,000), Growth Fund ($100,000), and R&D Fund ($250,000) with matching requirements. Administered by Innovate Mississippi.
• Mississippi Angel Investor Network A network of accredited investors who review fundraising pitches from Mississippi-based innovation companies seeking seed and growth capital, typically ranging from $250,000 to $800,000.
• CoBuilders Accelerator A 12-week intensive statewide accelerator program designed to fast-track the growth of promising Mississippi startups through structured acceleration in partnership with seven regional hub partners.
• FoundersPlus An entrepreneurial development program focused on developing companies led by women and minority founders in Mississippi, funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, offering webinar series, mentor connections, and LaunchFund small loans up to $5,000.
• MS-FAST Program A program helping Mississippi small businesses apply for SBIR and STTR federal funding, offering workshops, proposal development assistance, and Phase 0 financial support up to $3,000.
• Regional Angel Funds Member-managed regional investment funds including North Mississippi Angel Fund (2018), South Mississippi Angel Fund (2022), Delta/Oxford Angel Fund (2023), and Mississippi Angel Fund (2024) that unite angel investors across the state.
• CONNECT Networking Events Monthly networking events for entrepreneurs, mentors, and investors held the first Thursday of every month in Jackson, MS.
• Accelerate Conference Annual Conference on Technology Innovation hosted by Innovate Mississippi.
• Mississippi Angel Fund (MAF) Statewide angel fund founded in 2024 uniting angel investors across Mississippi to drive innovation and foster entrepreneurial success.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,500+ new companies developed over 20 years
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Mississippi Small Business Development Center Network (MSBDCN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint partnership to deliver two distinct pitch pathways - one for high-growth startups (Innovate Mississippi Track) and one for traditional small businesses (MSBDCN Track). The partnership offers statewide pitch events hosted by regional partners.
• MSU Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach (E-Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated in Starkville, MSU E-Center empowers students and Mississippi residents to plan, launch and grow successful companies. Partner in CoBuilders Accelerator program, working with conceptual or early-stage companies.
• Oxford Lafayette IncorporatedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeeks to increase economic development in North Mississippi through a vibrant business environment. Close partners with University of Mississippi and assists technology transfer businesses. Partner in CoBuilders Accelerator.
• Mississippi Polymer Institute (MPI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustrial outreach component of University of Southern Mississippi's Innovation and Commercialization Park. Works with early-stage companies focused on material-based products. Partner in CoBuilders Accelerator and NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MMA-MEP).
• The Bean PathcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner501(c)(3) non-profit founded by Dr. Nashlie Sephus providing assistance to companies in Jackson and surrounding areas through scholarships, grants, and awards to empower students and entrepreneurs.
• MSU E-Center Vicksburg (MCity)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated in the MCITy Building in downtown Vicksburg, develops entrepreneurial ventures drawing from technology partners and connections associated with ERDC and ERDCWerx. Partner in CoBuilders Accelerator.
• Gulf Coast Business CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate 501(c)(6) member-based organization focused on community and economic development in Coastal Mississippi (Hancock, Harrison, Jackson). Supports companies with investable products on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
• Community Development Foundation (CDF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamber of Commerce for Tupelo/Lee County and economic development organization for over 75 years. Operates the Renasant Center for IDEAs business incubator. Partner in CoBuilders Accelerator.
• University of MississippicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with Oxford Lafayette Incorporated to assist technology transfer businesses and provide resources for CoBuilders Accelerator participants in North Mississippi.
• University of Southern MississippicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner through Mississippi Polymer Institute at its Innovation and Commercialization Park. Provides university resources and faculty expertise for early-stage companies.
• Mississippi State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner for technology transfer businesses and startup development through MSU E-Center. Provides connections to university intellectual property and research resources.
• USM Office of Innovation ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical support partner for MS-FAST Program that helps Mississippi small businesses apply for SBIR and STTR federal funding. Jointly run by Innovate Mississippi and USM.

Scale indicators7 records

Direct peers

• Launch Tennessee: State-level quasi-public innovation organization administering entrepreneur programs, seed funds, and accelerator networks across Tennessee — closest operational analog to Innovate Mississippi, scaled to a larger state ecosystem.
• TEDCO (Maryland Technology Development Corporation): State-chartered organization operating seed/venture funds, accelerators, and SBIR assistance for Maryland entrepreneurs — directly comparable mission structure including fund management and entrepreneur development services.
• Innovate Alabama: Alabama's state innovation authority operating seed and growth capital programs and entrepreneur support — structurally comparable to IM as a recently launched state-level innovation and SSBCI deployer in the Southeast.
• Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) – Virginia: Virginia's nonprofit corporation supporting entrepreneurship, seed investing, and technology-based economic development — matches IM's nonprofit, state-affiliated innovation model with fund administration and accelerator programming.
• Ben Franklin Technology Partners: Pennsylvania-based state-supported technology development organization providing seed capital, accelerator services, and SBIR support — comparable model of regional hubs combined with staged investment products.
• Innovation Works: Pittsburgh-based seed-stage investor and accelerator network — directly comparable as a regional seed fund + accelerator operator with university and federal R&D pipeline integration.

Broad incumbents

• Ohio Third Frontier: State of Ohio's technology-based economic development program — operates at much larger scale with state bond-funded capital, comparable in mission (technology commercialization and seed/growth investing) but significantly broader mandate and budget.
• Techstars: Global accelerator operator with a portfolio of vertical programs — comparable in providing structured 12-week accelerators and investor introductions, but operates commercially at vastly larger scale rather than as a state economic-development nonprofit.

Others

• AngelList: Platform enabling formation and management of angel syndicates and rolling funds — operationally adjacent in that IM's Mississippi Angel Network performs a similar curation and syndication function but at a single-state level.

Emerging players

• MassChallenge: Global nonprofit accelerator with U.S. and international programs providing equity-free cohort-based support — analogous in providing cohort-based, equity-light startup development though operating commercially and globally rather than through state appropriations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/196995620398066
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/groups
• Xx.com/MSAangelNetwork

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments39 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Innovate Mississippi / MS Angel Network/ MS Seed Fund