Empowering Coastal Mississippi Entrepreneurs for Sustainable Growth

The Coastal Business Growth Accelerator (CBGA) is an initiative designed to fasttrack the success of startups and small businesses in Mississippi’s coastal counties—Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River, George, and Stone.

Through biannual cohort-based programs, CBGA offers:

  • Targeted Training in business planning, digital marketing, finance, and growth strategies

  • One-on-One Mentorship from expert business counselors and industry professionals

  • Hands-On Workshops with actionable tools, resources, and guides

  • Access to Capital Resources and investor connections

  • Stronger Business Networks through curated peer learning and community events

Whether you're launching a new venture or scaling an existing business, CBGA is your on-ramp to smarter, faster growth.

Why It Matters

Small businesses are the backbone of Mississippi’s Gulf Coast economy.

CBGA supports business owners in both urban and rural communities, addressing challenges like:

  • Limited digital access and market reach

  • Economic vulnerability tied to natural disasters or industry shifts

  • Lack of tailored support for early and growth-stage companies

With deep local partnerships and a network of support from MSBDCN’s statewide access points, CBGA helps coastal entrepreneurs build resilient, tech-savvy, and growth-ready businesses.

Who Should Apply

  • New or existing small businesses with high growth potential

  • Founders in rural communities

  • Entrepreneurs ready to level up with structured support

Ready to Accelerate?

Applications now open for the fall cohort.