Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development · Jackson State University
Jackson State University · Innovation Hub

Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Economic Development

JSU's Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (CIEED) leverages STEM, business, and entrepreneurial capabilities to address society's most pressing problems through university-industry partnerships.

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About CIEED

Where research, education & corporate partnership intersect

The JSU Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIEED) leverages the best of JSU's STEM, business, and entrepreneurial capabilities, as well as collaborative potential in addressing some of society's most pressing problems (via university-industry partnerships).

The CIEED takes advantage of expertise co-location and facilitates the intersection of widely disparate learning and idea generation — a place for constant learning, common vision, as well as creativity and innovation.

Center
CIEED
Programs
NSF I-Corps · EnRICH · MidSouth REACH · Micro-Credential
Spaces
Makerspace · XR Academy · Collaboratory
Address
1400 John R. Lynch Street, Jackson, MS 39217-0280

The CIEED pairs entrepreneurs, designers, and businesses with subject matter experts. The elements of Research, Education, and Corporate Partnership will be uniquely interwoven to drive creativity and innovation, while accelerating technology transfer, entrepreneurship, and economic development.

Primarily, the CIEED focuses on supporting the innovative activities of JSU faculty, staff, and students, and extending such capabilities to the Mississippi community and other industry partners.

Research

Accelerating technology transfer through applied research and innovation.

Education

Entrepreneurial education for faculty, staff, students, and community partners.

Corporate Partnership

Industry partnerships connecting JSU expertise with corporate innovation needs.

★ Pre-Accelerator Program LED BY JSU

EnRICH Pre-Accelerator Program

JSU leads the EnRICH Pre-Accelerator Program — a multi-university pre-accelerator hosted through the Xlerator Network. EnRICH provides early-stage entrepreneurs and researchers with the structured training, mentorship, and resources needed to validate their ideas and prepare for full accelerator programs.

Learn About EnRICH
Major Programs

Innovation, entrepreneurship & workforce programs

National Science Foundation
NSF I-Corps Program
The National Science Foundation Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program at JSU — entrepreneurship training for researchers translating science into market opportunities.
Overview
NSF I-Corps Overview
Full overview of the NSF I-Corps program at JSU — eligibility, curriculum, benefits, and how to apply.
Regional · External
MidSouth I-Corps Hub
Regional NSF I-Corps Hub for the MidSouth — connecting JSU researchers with multi-institution I-Corps programming.
Outreach
MidSouth REACH Hub
JSU-led MidSouth REACH Hub — regional outreach and engagement hub extending CIEED capabilities throughout the MidSouth region.
Apply
REACH Application Process
Application process for the MidSouth REACH Hub — eligibility, materials, and submission information for prospective participants.
Credentialing
Micro-Credential Program
CIEED Micro-Credential Program — verified short-form credentials in innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic development skills.
Innovation Spaces

Hands-on facilities for makers, creators, & collaborators

CIEED operates three distinctive physical spaces supporting maker culture, extended reality, and team-based collaboration.

Maker Facility
Makerspace
A hands-on maker facility with equipment and tools for prototyping, fabrication, and physical product development.
Extended Reality
XR Academy
The Extended Reality (XR) Academy — virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) education, development, and immersive experience design.
Collaboration Hub
Collaboratory
The Collaboratory — a dedicated collaboration space for interdisciplinary teams, working groups, and cross-functional innovation projects.
Reserve a Space

Book the Innovation Center

Reserve Makerspace, XR Academy, or Collaboratory time through the JSU Innovation Center booking system — a dedicated platform at jsuinnovationcenter.com.

Xlerator Network & Federal Partnerships

Connected to national entrepreneurship networks

JSU's CIEED participates in regional and national innovation networks — connecting JSU innovators to a broader ecosystem of accelerators, federal programs, and industry partners.

External Network
Access the Xlerator Network
The Xlerator Network home page — a multi-institutional accelerator network including JSU.
External Programs
Network Programs
Browse all programs available through the Xlerator Network — pre-accelerators, accelerators, and supporting initiatives.
JSU-Led
EnRICH Pre-Accelerator
The JSU-led EnRICH Pre-Accelerator Program hosted through the Xlerator Network.
JSU Office
Technology Transfer
JSU's Technology Transfer and Commercialization office — complementary support for translating research into commercial opportunities.

Got an idea? Let's build it.

Connect with CIEED to explore innovation programs, book a maker space, or apply to the MidSouth REACH Hub.

Call (601) 979-4198 Book a Space
Get in Touch

Contact the Innovation Center

Location
Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship
and Economic Development
1400 John R. Lynch Street
Jackson, MS 39217-0280
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