Spearheaded by Alexa Cutrer, GCBC’s new Director of Strategic Initiatives and Marketing, StartUp Gulf Coast represents a long-term commitment to cultivating a thriving startup ecosystem—one built for and by the Gulf Coast.
Empowering Local Entrepreneurs
StartUp Gulf Coast will provide targeted support for high-growth, innovation-driven startups in the region. In partnership with Innovate Mississippi, the program connects local founders to funding opportunities, expert mentors, corporate service providers, and statewide accelerator programs such as Co-Builders.
Whether you’re an early-stage founder refining your business model or a post-revenue startup preparing to scale, StartUp Gulf Coast will meet you where you are—and help get you where you want to go.
“Mississippi has a deep well of untapped entrepreneurial talent,” said GCBC President & CEO Jamie Miller. “StartUp Gulf Coast is about giving that talent the support and structure it needs to thrive—right here on the Coast.”
A New Role, A Familiar Mission
As Director of Strategic Initiatives and Marketing, Alexa Cutrer will lead the effort to build, manage, and grow StartUp Gulf Coast. A seasoned marketer, event strategist, and advocate for small business, she brings more than a decade of experience to the role—including years spent in Silicon Valley, where she worked with startups across industries and at every stage of growth.
Most recently, Alexa founded Gather Gulf Coast, a community platform that has helped elevate dozens of local women-owned businesses through events, influencer marketing, and brand storytelling. She’ll now serve as the region’s primary startup coach, working in close collaboration with Innovate MS and other ecosystem partners.
Her responsibilities include:
-
- Supporting tech-based startups using Innovate Mississippi’s Startup Stages framework
-
- Recruiting mentors and service providers across legal, financial, and marketing fields
-
- Engaging corporate stakeholders as collaborators, sponsors, and clients
-
- Hosting events that connect, inspire, and activate our regional startup community
-
- Managing a multi-year grant to fund innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives
“From product development to pitch prep, StartUp Gulf Coast is designed to walk alongside entrepreneurs—not just for a moment, but through every stage of growth,” Alexa says.
The Pitch Starts Here
StartUp Gulf Coast will officially launch at the 2025 StartUp Gulf Coast Pitch Competition, taking place June 10, 2025 at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC). The competition is open to startups with scalable, market-ready ideas. Selected founders will present to a panel of judges for a chance to win cash prizes.
Applications closed on April 30, and the response was overwhelming. “We were blown away by the caliber of companies who applied,” Alexa noted. “It’s clear that the next generation of Mississippi entrepreneurs is ready to be seen—and supported.”
A History of Forward Thinking
StartUp Gulf Coast builds on GCBC’s history of bold, future-focused initiatives. From launching the Masters Leadership series to advocating for Deepwater Horizon restoration funds to creating the Tri-County Tourism Initiative, the Council has always prioritized long-term regional growth.
Now, with StartUp Gulf Coast, GCBC is betting big on the region’s entrepreneurs—and the transformative power of innovation.
Want to Get Involved?
Whether you’re a founder, mentor, investor, corporate leader, or community member, StartUp Gulf Coast welcomes your voice and participation. Stay tuned for ways to connect, support, and celebrate this exciting new chapter for Coastal Mississippi.
Join us for the 2025 StartUp Gulf Coast Pitch Competition on Tuesday, June 10, from 9:30am to 2:00pm at the HRM Building on the MGCCC Campus (420 Debuys Rd, Biloxi, MS 39531).
Reserve your spot here—the event is free to attend, but registration is required.
To learn more, contact Alexa Cutrer at alexa.cutrer@msgcbc.org or follow Gulf Coast Business Council on LinkedIn and Facebook for updates.
