Innovate Mississippi will host a Discovery Luncheon in Oxford on Friday, Feb. 10, at the Oxford Conference Center from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Discovery Luncheons are community-based events held throughout the state designed to spotlight Mississippi’s rich entrepreneurial culture. Organized by Innovate Mississippi, the Oxford Discovery Luncheon is presented by mTrade, LLC and sponsored by the Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation.  The luncheon will serve as the kick-off to The University of Mississippi’s Venture Launch Weekend event.

Dr. Bill Rayburn, founder of Mortgage Trade, will serve as the featured speaker and share his inspiring and successful entrepreneurial journey. The entrepreneur speaker will be Karen Kurr, owner and founder of NoTime2Cook, a health-conscious, made-from-scratch packaged meal operation.

“Entrepreneurs are often the hidden gems of any community, and Oxford’s entrepreneurial scene is as vibrant as any community in Mississippi,” said Tony Jeff, president and CEO of Innovate Mississippi.

“Oxford is on fire with successful business startups,” added Jon Maynard, president and CEO of the Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation. “If you have any interest in starting a business, or even growing the business that you have, you need to come hear what Bill Rayburn and Karen Kurr have to say. They are two success stories from opposite ends of the spectrum for their types of businesses. You can learn a lot from what these two individuals have to say about the resources and experience in Oxford.”

To register or for more information, visit www.innovate.ms or contact Janet Parker, outreach and development manager for Innovate Mississippi, at jparker@innovate.ms or 601-832-8100 or Allen Kurr, VP Economic Development for The Oxford Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation, allen@oxfordms.com, 662-234-4651.