2024 CoBuilders Application - Oxford, MS

Program Overview

The Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation in partnership with the University of Mississippi announced the return of Innovate Mississippi’s CoBuilders Program coming back to Oxford this Summer 2024.

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 8 regional pitch competitions to be held in Clarksdale, Starkville, Jackson, Vicksburg, Hattiesburg, Biloxi, Tupelo, and Oxford.

Companies interested in applying for the Oxford Pitch Competition can do so by completing the application below. No more than 8 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 and be considered for the CoBuilders Statewide Accelerator.

The Oxford Pitch Competition will be held on Wednesday June 12 with the deadline to apply set for COB on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

Startup Focus: Early-stage companies generally in North Mississippi

Please Note:
Submitting an application DOES NOT guarantee you entry into the Oxford Pitch Competition. All applications are subject to review and local mentorship will be required prior to the pitch competition. Also, please note that winning the regional pitch event is not a guarantee of acceptance into the CoBuilders Cohort. By applying, applicants indicate their intent to participate in the Oxford Pitch competition, and if selected, participate in the statewide cohort for Summer/Fall 2024.

For further information please contact Allen Kurr (allen@oxfordms.com) or call the Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation at 662-234-4651.

Question Title

* 1. Please tell us about yourself.

Name *

Business/Idea Name *

Address *

Address 2

City/Town *

State/Province *

ZIP/Postal Code *

Country *

Email Address *

Phone Number *

Question Title

* 2. Please list other founders, key employees or partners.

Name/Role

Question Title

* 3. Current Business Website Address (URL) (if applicable)

Question Title

* 4. Please describe the nature of your business/entrepreneurial idea.

Question Title

* 5. Where will the business be headquartered?

Question Title

* 6. What is the type of business premises? (Check all that apply)

Home Based Business

Retail Location

Office Park

Commercial District

Co-Working Space

Incubator/Accelerator

Online

Temporary Space

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 7. What is the current legal structure of your business?

Sole Proprietorship

Partnership

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

Corporation - C Corp

Corporation - S Corp

Corporation - B Corp

Corporation - Nonprofit

Not Sure or Undecided

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 8. Please check all that apply to the current development for your business/idea?

Lean Canvas Model Completed

Initial Business Plan Completed

The Business has a legal structure (LLC, or Corporation)

Secured Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Financial Forecast Completed

Initial Pitch Deck Completed

Has generated Revenue

Beta-Ready Minimum Viable Product

Multiple Prototypes

Single Prototype

Proof of Concept

In Production of Product/Service

Financing Secured

Other (please specify)

None of the above

Question Title

* 9. How long has the business been operating?

Not in Operation / Just an Idea

<6 months

6 - 12 months

1 - 2 Years

2 - 5 Years

> 5 Years

Question Title

* 10. Please describe your involvement in any other pitch competitions, incubators, or accelerator programs with this business/idea.

Question Title

* 11. What is the estimated time to market for your product/service?

Have existing Sales

<6 months

6 - 12 months

1 - 2 Years

2 - 5 Years

> 5 Years

Unsure at this time

Question Title

* 12. What is your projected future revenue forecast?

>$200 Million in 5 Years

>$50 Million in 5 Years

>$10 Million in 5 Years

>$5 Million in 5 Years

>$1 Million in 5 Years

<$1 Million in 5 Years

Unsure at this time

Question Title

* 13. Please list any existing competitors and/or competing products in this market.

Question Title

* 14. Please check all that apply to the current customer/market validation of product/service.

Already Selling Product/Service

Pending Orders

Documented Customer Intent

Documented Market Study

Surveyed Customer Interest

General Customer Feedback

None of the Above

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 15. Is this a minority or woman owned business?

Yes

Question Title

* 16. Please indicate your involvement in any of the following regional entrepreneurship programs and initiatives. (check all that apply)

Big Bad Business Series

Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

Lyceum Brew

Heartland Forward (Builders + Backers) Program

Oxford Enterprise Center (or any other North Mississippi Enterprise Initiative incubator)

Innovate Mississippi

Gillespie Business Plan Competition (University of Mississippi)

Mid-South Business Model Competition (University of Mississippi)

Center for Manufacturing Excellence (University of Mississippi)

Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (University of Mississippi)

Insight Park (University of Mississippi)

Mississippi Entrepreneurship Forum

Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce

Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation (EDF)

Venture Launch Weekend or Startup Weekend

Mississippi Development Authority - Entrepreneurship Center

None of the Above

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 17. How did you learn about the CoBuilders Program? (Check all that apply)

News Article

Radio

Social Media

Word of Mouth

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 18. Please provide a business plan and/or any similar notes related to the business concept.

PDF, DOC, DOCX, PNG, JPG, JPEG, GIF file types only.

Choose File

Question Title

* 19. Please provide a resume.

PDF, DOC, DOCX, PNG, JPG, JPEG, GIF file types only.

Choose File

Question Title

* 20. Please provide any other relevant notes, photos, or information that may support the business concept.

PDF, DOC, DOCX, PNG, JPG, JPEG, GIF file types only.

Choose File

Question Title

* 21. Please add any additional information that you would like to share with the review committee.

Question Title

* 22. By checking the box below, you are indicating your intent to apply for the Oxford Pitch Competition on Wednesday June 12, 2024 and, if selected, to participate in the 12-week Innovate Mississippi CoBuilders Accelerator August - November 2024 representing the North Mississippi Region.

I agree