Mississippi entrepreneurs shine at The Bean Path pitch competition

JANS – The Bean Path, in collaboration with Succeed and Elevate and the Mississippi Small Business Development Center (MS SBDC), hosted a pitch competition on May 5, 2025, spotlighting Mississippi’s burgeoning entrepreneurial talent. From over 40 applicants, ten innovative startups were selected to present their business ideas to a panel of judges, competing for a share of $15,000 in prizes.

The event, held at The Bean Path Makerspace in Jackson, featured two competition tracks: tech and innovation, and lifestyle and general business. The selected finalists showcased a diverse array of ventures, ranging from AI-driven educational tools to sustainable energy solutions.

Dr. Nashlie Sephus, Founder and CEO of The Bean Path, emphasized the significance of the event:

“We had over 40 people apply,” she said. “So we definitely want to get more funding to host more next year, to bring them in to pitch. Some of these pitch companies we’ve been mentoring over the last couple of years or so. So it’s good to see their growth in the business. Entrepreneurship is a journey.” 

Winners of the competition included:

• Omar Morris secured first place in the tech and innovation category with Eversol Solar, a solar-based mobile energy system designed to power homes off the grid.

• Tiffany Jones won first place in the lifestyle category with Butta Scrubs Natural Skincare Products, offering natural skincare products tailored for individuals with conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

The competition not only provided financial incentives but also offered participants valuable exposure and networking opportunities. Many of the finalists will be considered for the CoBuilders Accelerator, a 12-week intensive development program supported by Innovate Mississippi and MS SBDC, aimed at fast-tracking the growth of promising Mississippi startups. 

“Winning this competition will allow us to finish our Underwriter Laboratory Certification, the UL mark on devices that certifies that your device meets industry standards,” Morris shared. “It allows you to sell at big box retailers. It shows that the product is fully vetted and safe for homes. We are halfway through that process. This capital will allow us to instantly finish that process.”

This event underscores Mississippi’s commitment to fostering innovation and supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs.