StartUp Gulf Coast

05/27/2026

Big ideas took center stage at the 2026 StartUP Gulf Coast Pitch Competition 🚀 From first-time founders to emerging tech innovators, this year’s competition showcased the passion, creativity, and entrepreneurial momentum growing right here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Congratulations to our winners!

Main Street Track Winners:
🥇 Light Carriers
🥈 Smokin Guns
🥉 Tailor-Made Tours

Tech Track Winners:
🥇 Prosentra
🥈 Codify AI
🥉 BVY

To every entrepreneur who pitched: thank you for putting yourselves out there, sharing your vision, and being part of this growing startup ecosystem. We’re proud to support founders who are building the future of our region.

A special thank you to Kevin Decker, CEO of Ocean Aero, for an inspiring keynote that encouraged attendees to think bigger about innovation, leadership, and what’s possible on the Gulf Coast.

We’re also grateful to the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center for hosting us and helping create such an incredible atmosphere for collaboration and connection.

Thank you to our judges, mentors, sponsors, volunteers, and community partners who continue investing in entrepreneurship and innovation across Coastal Mississippi.

We can’t wait to see what’s next for these founders 👏

05/27/2026

05/09/2026

StartUP Gulf Coast Executive Director Alexa Cutrer recently joined WXXV 25 to talk about the 2026 StartUP Gulf Coast Pitch Competition.

The segment highlights this year’s incredible lineup of entrepreneurs, the two competition tracks, the $15,000 prize pool, and the growing momentum around innovation and entrepreneurship across Coastal Mississippi.

If you’ve been curious about the pitch competition, watch the full segment here: https://www.wxxv25.com/startup-gulf-coast-hosting-pitch-competition/

The pitch competition is free to attend, lunch is included, and registration is now open here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-startup-gulf-coast-pitch-competition-tickets-1987618618794

Start Up Gulf Coast is hosting their second Pitch Competition this month. Fourteen people will take the stage, pitching ideas for a chance to earn a share of $15,000. That competition takes place Tuesday, May 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lynn Meadows Discovery Center. Here to explain more is Alexa Cu...

05/08/2026

The City of Ocean Springs (Official) has officially proclaimed May 18–22, 2026 as Mississippi Gulf Coast Innovation Week.

As the Mississippi Gulf Coast continues to grow its role in maritime innovation, defense technology, autonomous systems, and the Blue Economy, collaboration between cities, industry, entrepreneurs, researchers, and community leaders becomes increasingly important.

Innovation Week will bring together stakeholders from across the region to strengthen partnerships, support entrepreneurship, and highlight the innovation ecosystem shaping the future of Coastal Mississippi.

The week includes the 2026 StartUP Gulf Coast Pitch Competition and 2026 State of the Coast Symposium, alongside additional events by Gulf Blue focused on innovation, leadership, economic development, and emerging industries.

Thank you to Mayor Bobby Cox and the City of Ocean Springs for recognizing the importance of innovation and regional collaboration.

Learn more and register for Innovation Week events here: https://www.gulfbluenavigator.org/innovation-week/

05/06/2026

14 businesses. 2 tracks. $15,000 on the line.

Join us for the 2026 StartUP Gulf Coast Pitch Competition and watch local entrepreneurs take the stage to pitch their ideas live in front of judges, investors, and the community.

You’ll hear from founders across both Main Street and Tech tracks, enjoy a free lunch, and hear from keynote speaker Kevin Decker, CEO of Ocean Aero.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or just curious about what’s being built on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, this is where it’s happening.

Free to attend, but registration is required.

Save your seat → https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-startup-gulf-coast-pitch-competition-tickets-1987618618794

Presented in partnership with:
Gulf Coast Business Council
Innovate Mississippi
Mississippi SBDC Network
Gather Gulf Coast
Gulf Blue

04/20/2026

Our StartUP Gulf Coast Spring Ecosystem Mixer at Magnolia Room brought together an incredible group of founders, investors, mentors, and service providers from across the Gulf Coast 🤝🌼🥃

From meaningful conversations to new connections (and a few big ideas in the making 👀), this is exactly what StartUP Gulf Coast is all about.

We’re especially grateful to our friends at Innovate Mississippi for making the drive from Jackson, and Mississippi Polymer Institute for joining us from Hattiesburg. We appreciate your support as we continue building this ecosystem together!

And of course, shoutout to Magnolia Room for the beautiful space, delicious drinks, and bites that made the night feel extra special 🍸

If you were there, thank you! And if you missed it, join us at the 2026 StartUP Gulf Coast Pitch Competition for your next chance to connect with this group of change makers—registration is now live here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-startup-gulf-coast-pitch-competition-tickets-1987618618794

04/12/2026

Last chance ⏰Applications for our 2026 Pitch Competition close TODAY. If you’ve been thinking about applying—this is it. Pitch your idea, gain visibility, and compete for $15,000 in cash prizes.

Apply now before the deadline: https://airtable.com/appEXKLwQ5oSAorxH/pagd6mw6sPSCRdssY/form

No more waiting—go for it 🚀

04/11/2026

Final call 🚨 TOMORROW is the deadline to apply for the 2026 Pitch Competition! Don’t miss your chance to pitch, connect, and compete for $15,000 in cash prizes.

Apply now before it’s too late: https://airtable.com/appEXKLwQ5oSAorxH/pagd6mw6sPSCRdssY/form

Your idea deserves a shot 🚀

04/10/2026

It takes a village to launch a movement — and ours showed up big time 🙌 Huge thanks to the incredible vendors who made the inaugural StartUp Gulf Coast Pitch Competition a success last year...

📸 Derek Fountain Photography captured every pitch, handshake, and oversized check
💡 Alpha Lit MS Gulf Coast set the tone with those glowing marquee letters
☕ Greenhouse Biloxi kept us caffeinated with local brews
🥗 Eat Drink Love Catering served up a lunch that had everyone going back for seconds
🌳 The Meeting Place owner Geneva Dummer for coordinating & hosting

Your creativity, professionalism, and local love helped bring our vision to life. We couldn’t have done it without you.

Let’s keep building together 💡

You have until this Sunday to apply for ur 2026 Pitch Competition: https://airtable.com/appEXKLwQ5oSAorxH/pagd6mw6sPSCRdssY/form