Oxford Lafayette Incorporated (OLinc), in partnership with Innovate Mississippi, the University of Mississippi, and the Mississippi Small Business Development Center Network, has announced the finalists for the 5th Annual Oxford Pitch Competition to be held Thursday, June 11, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at the Oxford Conference Center. The public is invited to attend this free event celebrating entrepreneurship, innovation, and small business growth across Mississippi and the Mid-South. The Oxford Pitch Competition serves as one of seven regional qualifying events for Innovate Mississippi’s CoBuilders Accelerator, a statewide entrepreneurial development program designed to help startup and small business founders grow scalable companies through mentorship, coaching, and access to capital and business resources. This year’s competition will once again feature two tracks — an SBDC Track focused on traditional and growth-oriented small businesses, and an Innovate Track focused on high-growth and innovation-driven ventures. A total of $25,000 in prize funding will be awarded during the event
2026 Oxford Pitch Competition Finalists
SBDC Track
- OK Thanks!, LLC — Erik Hom and Georgianna Schroeder
- Munchies Chicken and Waffles — McClain Schieltz
- Easy Offer Acquisitions — Nyseer Fullwood-Theodore
- Custom Threads — James “Jackson” Parks
- Memphis Sippi — Davondre “Dre” Bassett
Innovate Track
- American Drone Solutions — Lt. Col. Leonard Boothe
- Vero Transportation — Barrett Lott
- Drape — Omeyimi Dimowo
- Interbeat Industries — Garrett Bradham
- PleXene Technologies LLC — Keerthin Karthikeyan
- Formenos Industries — Ashton Rowland
Participants will pitch their businesses before a panel of judges representing entrepreneurship, investment, business leadership, and economic development from across the region. “The diversity of this year’s finalist class really speaks to the entrepreneurial momentum building across Mississippi,” said Allen Kurr, Vice President of OLinc. “We have everything from food and apparel businesses to advanced technology, transportation, manufacturing, and drone innovation represented in this competition. That is exactly the type of broad entrepreneurial ecosystem our strategic plan seeks to support and grow.” The Oxford Pitch Competition is part of OLinc’s broader entrepreneurial development strategy, which was identified as a key priority within the Oxford-Lafayette Strategic Plan. Through partnerships with Innovate Mississippi, the Mississippi SBDC Network, and the University of Mississippi, OLinc is working to strengthen the region’s innovation pipeline by connecting entrepreneurs to mentorship, capital, technical assistance, and commercialization opportunities. “Our goal is not simply to host an event,” Kurr added. “It is to help create an environment where entrepreneurs at every level can access opportunity, build companies, and ultimately contribute to long-term economic growth throughout North Mississippi.” In addition to the live pitches and awards presentation, attendees will have opportunities to network with entrepreneurs, investors, business leaders, and community partners during the event reception beginning at approximately 4:30 p.m. or directly following the final pitch. The Oxford Pitch Competition will be held at the Oxford Conference Center located at 102 Ed Perry Blvd., Oxford, Mississippi. For more information about the CoBuilders Program or the Oxford Pitch Competition, visit CoBuilders Mississippi or contact Allen Kurr at (662) 915-6534 or allen@oxfordms.com.
About Oxford Lafayette Incorporated (OLinc)
Oxford Lafayette Incorporated (OLinc) is the economic development organization serving Oxford and Lafayette County, Mississippi. OLinc works to create opportunities for responsible economic investment through business recruitment, entrepreneurial development, workforce partnerships, research commercialization, and support for existing industry. Through its strategic plan, OLinc is focused on positioning Oxford and Lafayette County as a regional hub for entrepreneurs, innovators, and knowledge-based economic growth.
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