Stories of Technology, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship in the Southeast

From the State of Mississippi:

A transformative exploration is underway to evaluate the potential of creating a single, unified organization to represent business and industry throughout Mississippi.

“Business Alignment 2026,” as the initiative is known, is bringing together the leadership of the Mississippi Economic Council (MEC), the Mississippi Manufacturers Association (MMA), and the Business and Industry Political Education Committee (BIPEC) to explore the effectiveness of a new combined organizational structure focused on promoting all sectors of the economy. The boards of directors of all three organizations approved resolutions to begin this process.

This will be a year-long project examining the potential of creating a single entity that can better serve the collective interests of Mississippi’s business community. Currently, nearly 30 states have single organizations that represent the business community.

The goal is to determine if and how a more unified organizational structure would deliver greater value, effectiveness, and advocacy power for the members of the three existing organizations.

Each of the organizations brings unique strengths to the table:

• MEC, through its strategic planning efforts, is focusing on aligning Mississippi’s business community. Our members continue to support initiatives designed to create long-term economic opportunities for all sectors of the economy. This project represents an ability to strengthen this goal, while carefully determining the best path forward.
• MMA, with its deep roots in advocating for manufacturers, sees this project as an opportunity to strengthen the voice of industry. Recognizing that manufacturing is a major driver of Mississippi’s economy, partnering with the broader business community has the potential to expand our reach as we strive to positively impact economic growth in our state.
• BIPEC, with its legacy of protecting and advancing free enterprise through elections, research, education, and member action, remains fully committed to ensuring that any potential combined effort would lead to an even stronger political voice for job creators in Mississippi.

From New Orleans, LA:

Have you been looking for a reason to travel to the city known as “The Big Easy”? If so, here’s your opportunity.

New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (NOEW), a celebration of entrepreneurship, culture, and innovation, will return for its 14^th year the week of March 24-29, 2025. The annual event that connects the city’s entrepreneurial ecosystem will be co-produced by The Idea Village and, for the first time, the Center for Entrepreneurship and Community Development (CECD) at Loyola University’s College of Business.

The collaboration between The Idea Village and Loyola College of Business highlights a shared commitment to driving growth, innovation, and impact for New Orleans’ diverse business community. NOEW 2025 will once again bring together entrepreneurs, industry experts, investors, and community leaders for a week-long series of keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, pitch competitions, and networking opportunities aimed at empowering local entrepreneurs and strengthening regional collaboration.

“Our partnership with Loyola will create even more opportunities for our city’s entrepreneurial community to thrive,” said Jon Atkinson, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The Idea Village. “As co-producer and host, Loyola brings innovative faculty, energetic students, and leadership in entrepreneurial education. The partnership strengthens the natural connection between education and business and lays the groundwork for long-term economic growth in the Gulf South,” he said.

From Huntsville, AL:

The HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology will celebrate the the six companies selected for the Fall 2024 cohort of the HudsonAlpha AgTech Accelerator powered by gener8tor program at a showcase on December 12. Founders will have the opportunity to pitch their companies to investors, community partners, and the public.

The companies selected for the fourth cohort of the Huntsville-based program are:

• Druid Ag, a crop video monitoring start-up;
• Extrasense Technologies, a pest precision management company;
• Karyosoft, an agrigenomics and life sciences research optimization start-up;
• Psigryph Inc., a nutrient delivery nanotechnology company;
• See Produce, a food inventory and supply chain management start-up; and
• Twin Farms, a cross-border food trade.

These six were selected from among hundreds of applications from around the world. Each went through a rigorous application and interview process before being selected.

From Birmingham, AL:

Josh Carpenter will step down as President and CEO of Southern Research (SR), effective December 6, the organization announced last week. While the nonprofit conducts a national search for its next top executive, Coleman Loper, already the organization’s Interim Chief Finance and Administration Officer  will serve as interim CEO to “provide continuity.”

In a LinkedIn post, Carpenter thanked the board of directors for the opportunity “to lead this historic institution over the last ~4 years. Our team has made great progress together, and I’m proud of our small chapter in SR’s 83-year-old storied history. Mostly, I appreciate the resolve and resilience of the many talented scientists, professionals and leaders I’ve gotten to work with and alongside to help ‘move science.’”

He added, “More to come on what is next for me professionally, but I am excited to continue to advance R&D for a better world.”

Carpenter served as CEO of Southern Research since 2021. Prior to serving as a member of Southern Research leadership, Loper’s career included leading government, not-for-profit accounting as a partner at Ernst & Young.

Another from Huntsville, AL:

SpaceFactory, an industry leader in space and terrestrial construction technology, announced plans to relocate its headquarters to Huntsville, positioning itself within the heart of the nation’s high-tech and aerospace industries. This strategic move places SpaceFactory’s new facility at 209 Bailes Street, near the innovative Campus 805, where the company will expand its lunar research and advanced manufacturing divisions. The new facility, designed by PlanetWorks Architecture, SpaceFactory’s sister company, is slated for construction this year, reinforcing the company’s commitment to innovative and sustainable solutions for both Earth and space.

From North Carolina:

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