Mississippi State University’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach, also known as the E-Center, recently underwent a $1 million, 2,000-square-foot expansion. The expansion will be unveiled to the public during a grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday at 1 p.m.
E-Center Director Eric Hill said the center is a place where student businesses can form.
“I think the better way to look at it is that there are a lot of students who don’t necessarily know what they want to do, and for many students, most students, there are jobs out there that are perfect for them.” Hill said. “And for others, the opportunity to create something of their own is very important. It could be a way to change their life.”
Hill said the expansion will include additional work and meeting space. He also said it would include “Zoom pods.” It becomes a silent booth for people to conduct video conferences without interruption. The entrance to the E-Center will be more centrally located in hopes of improving access to the E-Center for all students. This entrance introduces three main businesses.
The lobby area will highlight the efforts of Glo, Duet Technologies, and Rocketing Systems Inc., three companies that have achieved success with the support of the E-Center. All three companies have displays in their lobbies displaying their products. Glo is showcasing Glo Pals, light-up children’s bath toys. Duet Technologies is showcasing a self-cooling hair clipper that eliminates the overheating problem when cutting African American hair. Rocketing Systems Inc. will be showcasing online software to help with your marketing strategy.
“I think a lot of what’s holding Mississippi State back is that people don’t have the confidence and belief that it can happen here. Many students think Mississippi State has an advantage in many ways. I think I see it more as a disadvantage. So part of the new expansion is that students who look like any other student now start companies that are worth millions of dollars. It’s about showing that we’re doing it,” Hill said. “We talk about these stories, but it’s one thing to read about them, it’s another to experience and interact with them.”
Jeffrey Rupp, director of outreach for the E-Center, said the E-Center welcomes students of all majors and will donate up to $7,500 to student startups.
“We need to get more kids through the door. Some students say they’re scared to come here, but we want them to know that everyone is welcome.” There’s no such thing as a bad idea. The market will tell you how good it is. If you’re interested, please come and see us,” Jeffrey said.
Construction on the expansion broke in late August 2023.
Jeffrey said E-Center has been open for less than 10 years. E-Center was a small suite on the upper floor of the building before he acquired McCool’s current creative space on his floor of Main.Rupp explained: Students were given the opportunity to design the current E-Center space by bringing their own creative touches to the workspace.
Taylor Rupp, E-Center engagement specialist and senior business administration major, and Nicole Boulay, E-Center marketing specialist and senior marketing major, recounted similar experiences while working on the current E-Center expansion. Ta. Bouley said new design ideas will be presented on the wall and students will be able to vote for their favorite. She said she was able to talk to furniture providers and choose the right pieces for the new expansion.
“When you get a job, you have to do more than just run to get people coffee or go get them coffee. You can make the decision to give,” Boulay said.
Taylor Rapp said the expansion stemmed from the need for more space due to E-Center’s growth.
“We just didn’t have enough space, and it’s a good thing we ran out of space and needed to get even bigger. I think this says a lot about the center and what it’s been doing over the last 10 years. ” Taylor said.
