Exciting Innovations Emerge from the 3rd Annual Oxford CoBuilders Business Pitch Competition
Oxford, Mississippi, recently played host to a vibrant display of entrepreneurial spirit at the 3rd Annual Oxford CoBuilders Business Pitch Competition. Held on June 12th within the innovative walls of the UM Innovation Hub at Insight Park, this event brought together six passionate teams, all eager to showcase their groundbreaking ideas to a panel of five local business owners and entrepreneurial investors.
A Competitive Atmosphere
As the sun shone brightly, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation. Participants from various backgrounds prepared to impress the judges with their innovative pitches. This year’s competition was not just about winning a cash prize; it also served as a qualifying event for the upcoming statewide CoBuilders business accelerator, organized by the reputable Innovate Mississippi.
Crowning the Champions
This year, the stakes were high, but one team emerged victorious, taking home a $7,500 cash prize. The first place honor went to Dr. Premalatha Balachandran, a talented individual with a Ph.D. and MBA, who pitched her startup company, PleXignal LLC. With a focus on pharmaceutical research and development, PleXignal wowed the audience with its revolutionary multiplex molecular model (MMM) technology. This high-throughput screening platform allows for a unique drug discovery process that targets multiple signaling pathways simultaneously, all within one assay. It’s a game-changer in the field of drug discovery!
Coming in second place was Julien Bourgeois, a rising Junior at the University of Mississippi, who alongside his co-founder, Andrew Bradford, pitched their post-revenue startup Automatic AI. This innovative company is transforming the realm of sports development through specialized smartwatch applications. Their flagship product, the Automatic Basketball Trainer, launched in July 2023, utilizes Apple Watch motion sensors to meticulously track and analyze basketball shooting workouts. Talk about a tech-savvy leap forward in sports training!
Lastly, taking home third place was Dr. Mac Nichols from BeWell Health. BeWell represents a modern evolution in medical clinics, prioritizing a comprehensive, holistic approach to personal care. With a strong emphasis on nutrition and healthy lifestyles, they’re growing their established subscription-based telemedicine service that offers 100% concierge care. Sounds like a perfect fit for today’s health-conscious individuals!
Words of Appreciation
Amidst all the excitement, the Vice President of the Economic Development Foundation, Allen Kurr, expressed heartfelt gratitude to all participants and mentors, stating, “We are so appreciative to all our competitors and mentors as this event turned out to be a hit. We are looking forward to seeing all these companies grow and supporting them through the entrepreneurial development process.” His words truly encapsulated the essence of the event – community support, encouragement, and growth.
The Future of Entrepreneurship
This year’s Oxford CoBuilders event is an inspiring reminder of the *creativity and innovation* thriving within our communities. As these budding businesses embark on their journeys, it’s evident that the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in Oxford. With the backing of local organizations and investors, the future looks bright for all the participating teams.
Interested in learning more about the CoBuilders program or local economic development initiatives? Feel free to reach out to Allen Kurr at 662.234.4651 or shoot an email to allen@oxfordms.com. And don’t forget to check out cobuilders.ms for more information!
