OXFORD — Two upcoming events in Oxford aim to support entrepreneurs and small business owners through training, networking and funding opportunities, local organizers announced.
Oxford-Lafayette Inc. is partnering with the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council to host a free business workshop April 28 focused on branding and effective messaging. The session will run from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Powerhouse on South 14th Street.
The workshop, part of the Big Bad Business Series, will be led by Red Window Communications and will include networking opportunities and light refreshments. Organizers said the session is designed to help business owners build consistency and strengthen their brand identity.
The series is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Mississippi Arts Commission and is part of the arts council’s Arts Incubator program, which supports creative small businesses in North Mississippi.
The event is free and open to the public, though attendees are encouraged to register in advance.
In addition to the workshop, Oxford-Lafayette Inc. is also accepting applications for the 2026 Oxford Pitch Competition, scheduled for June 11 at the Oxford Conference Center.
The competition, held in partnership with Innovate Mississippi and the Mississippi Small Business Development Center Network, offers entrepreneurs the chance to compete for cash prizes, gain exposure and receive one-on-one business coaching.
Applications are open through May 13.
The event will feature two tracks: one for traditional small businesses and another for high-growth startups with scalable, technology-driven models. Selected finalists will present their ideas during the competition, while all applicants will be connected with business development resources.
Organizers said the competition also serves as a qualifying event for Innovate Mississippi’s CoBuilders Accelerator, a 12-week program designed to help startups grow.
Both the workshop and pitch competition are intended to support entrepreneurs at various stages of development, from refining business strategies to securing funding and expanding operations.
