A Mississippi Gulf Coast business is taking two of the state’s hottest new startup companies to Jackson for a “Shark Tank” style showcase happening this month.
     The Meeting Place, founded by Biloxi’s Geneva Dummer, is one of seven regional partners that make up the all-new Innovate Mississippi CoBuilders Accelerator Program aimed at developing new businesses across the state and offering them a platform for success.
     Partners work closely with a select pool of competitors during a 12-week curriculum, providing coaching and mentoring, designed to accelerate their growth in business and prepare them for statewide pitch events. The CoBuilders Accelerator Program culminates this year with a big finale CoBuilders “Pitch Day” taking place on Wednesday, November 8, from 1-5 p.m. at the Mississippi Museum of Art in downtown Jackson.
     Over the summer, Dummer and The Meeting Place, in partnership with Innovate Mississippi’s CoBuilders Accelerator Program, kicked off the 2023 MS Gulf Coast Regional CoBuilders Pitch Competition spearheaded by Innovate Mississippi. The virtual event, held June 2, 2023, featured 11 companies that collectively prepared to pitch their product concepts, vying to win cash prizes and a seat in the statewide CoBuilders Accelerator Program.

     This year was the second annual event as these businesses across several industries competed by having their chance to pitch their company startup plans and ideas. Each company was different and unique and brought something exciting to the competition. Through the competition, carried out very similarly to the popular TV show, “Shark Tank,” the competitors worked with a mentor through an introductory pitch and two practice rounds with feedback from judges at each level to prepare.

“Creating a productive and supportive network for entrepreneurs is the heart of The Meeting Place’s mission.”

Geneva Dummer, Founder/Owner, The Meeting Place

     “Creating a productive and supportive network for entrepreneurs is the heart of The Meeting Place’s mission,” Dummer said. “Last year, two of our competitors were invited to attend the CoBuilders Accelerator and were declared ‘investor ready’ upon completion. Two other companies have expanded since the competition and are doing extremely well.”
     The Meeting Place is a business incubator and shared office space facility with two Mississippi Gulf Coast locations in Biloxi and Gulfport, offering cost-effective office solutions for business owners since 2016.

     The competition was open to the public at no cost with an audience participation component. An awards ceremony followed on June 5, 2023, at the Biloxi Visitors Center, where prizes were awarded to the final seven competitors, and the three winners were announced. The seven final competitors in the order of their awards are: First Place, Martin McCurtis, Jackson, Miss., with Momentum Dryer/Quantum Flow Technologies, who received a $5,000 prize; Second Place, Caitlyne Shirley, Hattiesburg, Miss., with B-Free by G.I. Jean, who received a $2,500 prize; Third Place, Justin O’Keefe, Ocean Springs, Miss., with Memorial Asset Protection Plan, who received a $1,000 prize; and Honorable Mentions, Derek “Spike” Richards, Laurel, Miss., with SABRE Bats; Laurel Whitworth, Long Beach, Miss., with Touch Me Tabs; Kimberly Butler, Hattiesburg, Miss., with Butler Cultivation LLC; and Ryan Earley, Vancleave, Miss., with SIP Community Solar. All honorable mentions received a $500 award. All competitors received a Mississippi Gulf Coast matted print by local artist Linda Theobald as a thank-you gift for being a part of the journey.
     Finalists heading to Jackson to pitch live to investors during a special CoBuilders “Pitch Day” presentation include Justin O’Keefe, with Memorial Asset Protection Plan; and Caitlyne Shirley, with B-Free by G.I. Jean.

     “Each one of these competitors gave 200 percent, and they were a joy to work with,” Dummer said. “As this is the second annual event, there are definite plans to have one every year moving forward.
“We are going to build up to it a little differently for next year by creating an educational series about what pitching is and what types of businesses are eligible or even attractive to investors and to help people understand what belongs in a pitch and what doesn’t as well as what questions investors might have so that they can be ready to answer them in their presentation.”
     Dummer continued, “The series will be a combination of virtual and real-life formats. The IRL meetings will be more laid-back and focused on networking, while the virtual meetings will be programmatic.”
     At this year’s event, there was a focus on the educational experience for anyone who wants to learn more about the pitch process through the launch of Connect Gulfport. Connect Gulfport is a hybrid platform where entrepreneurs can learn more about what investors are looking for and how to attract them, practice their presentations, and try new things. The competition was an all-around rewarding experience for the competitors, mentors, as well as for Dummer, the event facilitator.
     “I was absolutely delighted to have been selected by Innovate Mississippi as the lead for the MS Gulf Coast Regional Pitch Competition, Dummer said. “This event is a qualifying event for their statewide CoBuilders program, and The Meeting Place is one of seven regional lead organizations. The opportunities and connections the competitors gain by participating in my regional event are simply amazing, and I love facilitating all of that.”

     Innovate Mississippi accelerates startups, drives entrepreneurship throughout the state, and continually seeks business ideas. Innovate Mississippi has a mission to strengthen and grow the culture of innovation in Mississippi as they work directly with pre-revenue and post-revenue startups to develop business strategies, find funding, and help businesses grow. Innovate Mississippi has organized all investor resources in Mississippi to help its clients secure early-stage funding.
     Martin McCurtis, CEO and founder of Quantum Flow Inc., placed first in the competition with his invention, the Momentum Dryer, which he touts is the future of hair and beauty for professionals and consumers that uses new technology to address professional and consumer primary issues.
     “The Momentum Hair Dryer introduces to the world of hair and beauty up flow technology,” said McCurtis. “We patented a hooded hair dryer that works counterintuitive to the way the current market works.”

     The Momentum Hair Dryer enhances the user experience by cutting drying time in half, according to McCurtis. The legendary Stephanie Bronner has tested and approved the Momentum Hair Dryer calling it the “World’s Fastest Hair Dryer,” reducing exposure to excessive drying heat and enhancing natural hair sheen and scalp health. The invention boasts a remarkable style and design and is cited as healthier for hair.  The Momentum Hair Dryer can be used on all types of hair and allows hair to retain more vitamins, minerals, and vital nutrients essential for healthy hair.
     “We cut drying time at least in half, and that’s the starting point,” McCurtis said. “When you look at professional salons, and you can cut drying time under the Momentum Hair Dryer, you will see more people daily, which correlates to more profitability. This product is going to have a global impact.”
     McCurtis also admired the competition. “It was a great competition,” he said. “Great competition makes you better, and because of the products I went up against and the people that represent those products, I have really achieved something, because there were no slouches.
     “I know this was a very close competition. I am glad I came out on top, but I am also humble about the people I happened to get the better of this time. I am thankful for the organization and the support that they gave me, and the patience. It’s good to have people to work with that you can feel really want to work with you.”

     Mentor to McCurtis was Catrina Thompson, Biloxi. Thompson houses her nonprofit organization, Forward Progression Development Inc., at The Meeting Place. Her organization assists minorities, women, and Veteran-owned businesses in their structure and development and grassroots so that they’re able to receive funding and grants and grow their businesses to their entirety which includes everything from corporate taxes to their bare minimum necessities, business planning and growth, and marketing strategies.
     “The event was wonderful and a great connection for Forward Progression Development, and for myself, to have traction on the Gulf Coast and to assist people,” said Thompson. “Geneva invited me, and I was happily able to participate and mentor the event. I actually pitched two people, Mr. McCurtis with Momentum Hair Dryer, and ‘Spike’ Richards with SABRE Bats. They were both great and awesome, and it was fun to see them grow and see the drive and innovation on the Coast. Overall, it was a wonderful event, and I would do it again. I look forward to helping more small business owners on the Coast.”
     Other mentors who played a crucial role in the competition included April Williams, with Mississippi Small Business Development Center; Chris Vickery, with Action Coach Gulf States/Coaching Catalysts; and Skip Wilson and Ryan Harp with DRAFT Advertising Technology; who all went above and beyond.     
     Second Place winner Caitlyne Shirley, CTO of G.I. Jean/B-Free, a tampon-based treatment for bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, and trichomoniasis that you can use over the counter or buy online.
     “Instead of going to a doctor, you can save all that money on insurance or having an unpleasant treatment option available to you; you can use what we have, which is basically the same as a tampon,” said Shirley. “It is giving women the ability to take their health into their own hands.”
     Shirley added, “This was an excellent event. We have been working with CoBuilders and Innovate Mississippi for a couple of years now. It is excellent, and Geneva ran her pitch event very well. I liked the online aspect of it. It made it so much easier to coordinate with my schedule, which can always be so difficult when you’re juggling so many different projects. A lot of people who are doing these pitch events have full-time jobs, so the online aspect was really great, and Geneva is awesome.”

     Justin O’Keefe came in third place with the Memorial Asset Protection Plan (MAPP), which he created to help preserve a family’s legacy for generations. It is designed to bring you peace of mind and connect you with a trusted financial advisor at no cost to you. The goal is to ensure that what you have worked for over a lifetime serves you well and eventually brings joy and financial freedom to your loved ones. A MAPP financial advisor can help you reach that goal.
     Derek “Spike” Richards, owner of SABRE Bats, was a runner-up in the competition.
     “We patented a revolutionary training bat that is exactly like your game bat,” he said. “It weighs the same and feels the same so that when you are actually working on your swing, it’s exactly like your game bat. We know that the body has to train at the same level that it competes at, and if you’re using a tool that isn’t the same, whatever changes you want won’t.
     “Our biggest hitter right now is Christian Walker with the Diamondbacks. He went from 10 home runs in 2021; in 2022, he went to 36 home runs and is hitting 65 points higher. So, not only do we increase bat power but also batting average. With SABRE Bats, first-round draft picks are hitting home runs this season.”

     Richards said he was grateful to be a part of the competition. “It was really interesting to see the innovation of how people’s brains work and how they claw to their own ideas when they get an idea. Geneva put so many resources together that we literally do not have. There is no way that we would have access to that stuff unless somebody went out of their way.”
     Touch Me Tabs was designed by Laurel Whitworth. She was another runner-up in the competition.
“It is a centurion input phone accessory for adults, and it took me a couple of years to develop, but now it is on the market,” Whitworth said.
     Touch Me Tabs were made for individuals who enjoy tactile input. They provide a discreet micro fidget for a calming and centering benefit while you are on your phone. Touch Me Tabs were created to help teens and adults manage in a stressful world.
     “We can remain calm and maintain focus in moments that might be challenging,” said Whitworth. “Through our fingertips, we can always return to our best selves.”
     Touch Me Tabs can be purchased at www.touchmetabs.com.

     Kimberly Butler created Butler Bot with Butler Cultivation and was another runner-up. Butler Bot is an autonomous robot designed as an assisted device to help people with ability impairments and help the elderly transport items. It is motorized and functional, and timesaving. It can be hooked up to a remote or app on your phone.
     “This event was a great experience, and I had a wonderful time networking with individuals,” said Butler. “They have all had great ideas, and this has been a great opportunity. I actually won the free domain name from Ms. Catrina Thompson’s foundation, Forward Development Progression Inc., and I don’t have a domain yet, so that was really good to get that donation. It has been a wonderful experience that has helped me come out of my shell to speak more about my product that I think is going to be great.”

     Ryan Earley with SIP Community Solar is a Mississippi startup trying to bring community solar to Mississippi. Community solar is a structure that exists in other states, but Mississippi is one of the few that it’s not in.
     “We are seeking to partner with local co-ops, as there are 25 of them in Mississippi, to bring solar to anybody that wants to participate in it,” Earley said. “The ultimate goal is to save folks money and increase resiliency, but the main goal is to open access to anyone.
“There are many reasons that people aren’t able to participate, such as lack of upfront cash or financing, being a tenant and not a homeowner, not having a federal tax liability to take advantage of the tax credits that the federal government puts out there for us, or just having a shaded roof.
     “There is plenty of room for growth, and I am trying to connect the dots and bring homeowners and local businesses, counties, school districts, as well as the co-ops themselves together to see how we can make this work to benefit everybody.”
     Earley went on to compliment the event and how much he was able to learn as a competitor.
“This event was a huge help in a number of different aspects.” Earley said. “This event is the first real startup experience I have gone through with a pitch-like component. We were given a mentor. And my mentor, Chris Vickrey with Action Coach, was fantastic and provided a lot of insight into how to rethink and reapproach things in terms of what you are pitching to potential investors and what they’re looking for from their perspective.
     “Geneva was also fantastic as she kept us updated and apprised of the pitch and available resources. I had no idea what is out there for startups, even here on the Gulf Coast and throughout the entire state. You don’t necessarily have to go through a pitch competition as it can be nerve-wracking, but I would encourage anyone to do it and, at the very least, check out the resources that are available across the coast.”
     Next year’s 2024 MS Gulf Coast Regional CoBuilders Pitch Competition is planned to be held again in June. Applications launch about a month before competitors are selected. Be sure to follow The Meeting Place on Facebook for announcements and visit www.CoBuilders.ms for details about the CoBuilders Accelerator Program and upcoming regional competitions.

On the cover: Geneva Dummer, owner of The Meeting Place, a regional partner of the all-new Innovate Mississippi CoBuilders Accelerator Program, joins this year’s 2023 MS Gulf Coast Regional CoBuilders Pitch Competition participants (from left) Kimberly Butler, Hattiesburg, Miss., Butler Cultivation LLC; Ryan Earley, Vancleave, Miss., SIP Community Solar; Derek “Spike” Richards, Laurel, Miss., SABRE Bats; Martin McCurtis, Jackson, Miss., Momentum Dryer/Quantum Flow Technologies; and Laurel Whitworth, Long Beach, Miss., Touch Me Tabs. Not pictured is Justin O’Keefe, Ocean Springs, Miss., Memorial Asset Protection Plan, and Caitlyne Shirley, Hattiesburg, Miss., Angie Yonce, Petal, Miss., Monica Tisack, Hattiesburg, Miss., B-Free by G.I. Jean.

Ashley Prima

Author, Public Speaker, Multimedia Journalist, Publisher, Writing Consultant, Blogger, and Podcast Host.