Record Number of Entrepreneurs Compete in Gillespie Competition

Hosted annually by the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the Gillespie competition serves as a launchpad for student-led ventures, awarding over $61,000 in startup funding and setting a new participation record with 74 teams and over 160 students competing.

Clay Dibrell, CIE co-director, highlighted the value of the Gillespie competition as a transformative experience for students, where academic insights meet real-world application and mentorship.

“The competition is an opportunity for students to leverage their classroom knowledge into practical entrepreneurship experience while utilizing the CIE mentorship network and learning how to better communicate their startup venture ideas to a critical audience,” Dibrell said.

“At the end of the day, the competition is about learning, creating and possibly winning some cash to further develop their startup venture.”

This year’s top prize of $20,000 and a year of office space in Insight Park went to Maryn Sifrit, an Ole Miss senior from Overland Park, Kansas, and CEO and co-founder of Collegemate, an Instagram-based platform helping college students connect, find roommates and build friendships before stepping foot on campus.

“It has been an incredible four years at Ole Miss, and much of my experience is due to the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship,” Sifrit said. “I am so honored to add my name to the list of companies that have won the competition before me.

“The mentors and overall support have turned my business from a hobby into a thriving company. I cannot thank the people who have supported me along the way enough. I am looking forward to continuing my success with Collegemate postgrad!”

Shielded Security, an Oxford-based private security company specializing in large events and property protection, earned second place and a $10,000 award. The ProtectHer, a self-defense phone accessory offering Bluetooth-enabled, customizable safety features, placed third and received $5,000.

In addition to the top Gillespie prizes, several teams received special category awards made possible by generous sponsors:

• W. Thomas Colbert – Community Bank Innovation Award ($5,000): ModeMuse, an AI fashion assistant focused on sustainable wardrobe use and reduction of fashion fatigue
• Stephen E. Rowell Entrepreneur Award ($5,000): Rebel Check, a property checkup and delivery service tailored to second homeowners
• GenTeal Apparel Consumer-facing Award ($5,000): Munchies LLC, a chicken-and-waffle food truck approved by Ole Miss Dining and Aramark
• Edward G. Francis Sr. Entrepreneur Award ($2,500): RuleNav, a mobile app helping referees better navigate rule books through interactive tools and quizzes.

As part of the event, Doug Wilson, president and CEO of Wilson Auto Group, was honored as the 2025 Farrington Entrepreneur of the Year, recognizing his outstanding servant leadership and contributions to entrepreneurship and family business. Wilson, an influential figure in Mississippi's entrepreneurial landscape, has devoted much of his career to mentoring small business owners, particularly within family-run enterprises.

His commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and fostering innovation in the state has had a lasting influence on the local business community.

For more information about CIE and upcoming programs, visit olemisscie.com.