Unlike other areas with over-crowded markets, the state of Mississippi offers businesses the freedom to build something new andi has an abundance of resources for businesses to start and scale. With eight public universities and 15 community colleges bridging the gap with the local business community, Mississippi businesses have fresh access to innovative talent and opportunities to commercialize cutting-edge research and development. A dynamic startup ecosystem is beginning to take root in Mississippi, thanks to the state’s world-class universities, diverse talent, low cost of living and the energies of a handful of boosters. The recently launched Gulf Blue initiative brings together research scientists, federal agencies, industry partners and entrepreneurs to establish Mississippi as a global leader in blue technology, with an accelerator and 24-hour connected space to help new startups and innovators. Another forward-thinking initiative is that of startup veteran and Jackson native Dr. Nashlie Sephus, who is transforming 12 abandoned acres in her hometown into a new $25 million tech hub. These projects join a growing number of startup support programs that are changing the face of innovation and entrepreneurism in Mississippi. Mississippi’s four renowned research universities, University of Mississippi, Mississippi State University, University of Southern Mississippi and Jackson State University partner with MDA developing a targeted innovation-driven economic development strategy that further leverages Mississippi’s research expertise in sub-sectors including, Advanced Materials, Autonomy, Agriculture, Data Science, Sensors, Diagnostics, and Biomedical/healthcare while perfecting emerging technologies and preparing the next generation of talented workers to take on the jobs of the future. The diversity of the partnerships and programs centered around startups and innovation in Mississippi are bringing great change to the world - one brilliant idea at a time.