Miss. (WJTV) – Tougaloo College and Epicenter announced a new partnership that will provide students with opportunities to transform innovative ideas into viable businesses
Through the collaboration, officials said Tougaloo will join EpicenterU, a regional initiative designed to develop the next generation of entrepreneurs and strengthen economic opportunity throughout the Delta.
“At Tougaloo College, we believe preparing students for leadership also means preparing them to create opportunities—not only for themselves, but for the communities they will serve,” said Dr. Corey Wiggins, president of Tougaloo College. “This partnership connects classroom learning with real-world innovation and gives our students another pathway to turn their ideas into meaningful economic impact.”
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EpicenterU is supported by an approximately $812,000 grant awarded to Epicenter by the Delta Regional Authority (DRA). The four-year initiative is designed to build a pipeline of venture-ready founders through university-based entrepreneurship programming, industry mentorship and access to capital.
A central component of the initiative is a competitive fellowship program through which selected fellows will receive $40,000 annual stipends, along with access to up to $7,500 in company development funds, dedicated mentorship and opportunities to present their ventures to potential partners and investors.
The partnership is expected to introduce entrepreneurship programming at Tougaloo College during the Spring 2027 semester.
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