A Mississippi-based artificial intelligence startup has raised over $1 million in new funding.

Starkville-based Campusknot was co-founded by Rahul Gopal, a graduate of Mississippi State University. Its growth and evolution illustrate the possibility and support that exists in Mississippi for startups.

“Campusknot is a perfect example of what happens when the in-state ecosystem works together over time,” said Lindsey Benefield, investment director at Innovate Mississippi. “They’ve had support at every stage — from Mississippi State University and the E-Center, to Innovate Mississippi, to individual angels — all reinforcing and building momentum around a strong Mississippi founder. The progress they’re making is well-earned.”

Gopal came from India to study aerospace engineering at Mississippi State University. The initial concept for Campusknot started while he was in college, with support from the Mississippi State Center for Entrepreneurship. Over the past 10 years, Campusknot has adapted to new technologies but the core idea of enhancing student engagement in the classroom has remained.

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In its current form, the platform helps professors connect better with students. It acts as an AI teaching assistant that manages assignments and student participation. 

Campusknot has been supported by Innovate Mississippi and Idea Village in Louisiana. These regional startup incubators have been “instrumental” in the company’s development, according to Gopal.

Entergy Mississippi investing over $1B into grid infrastructure

One of the projects Entergy is investing in is a natural-gas power plant in Vicksburg.

At a recent event, Entergy Vice President of Business and Economic Development Ed Gardner reiterated the company’s assertion that these projects will not place too much burden on consumers thanks to larger customers, such as the state’s burgeoning data centers.

“Your bills will be 16% lower than they were going to be because of these large customers that we’re bringing in,” said Gardner.

Joint Legislative Budget Committee adopts revised revenue outlook

A panel of Mississippi lawmakers that leads the Legislature in setting a state budget last week adopted revised revenue estimates for the current fiscal year and the coming one.

For FY 2026, which ends in June, the lawmakers revised their final estimate of state revenue downward by about 1%, or $75 million, to $7.55 billion. For fiscal year 2027, which starts in July, lawmakers on the JLBC also used a cautious estimate, banking on revenue being down to $7.532 billion.

State Economist Corey Miller gave lawmakers an update on tax revenue. He said corporate income tax collections are down slightly, sales tax revenue is up and individual income tax collections are up despite the state phasing out the tax.

The JLBC agreeing on how much money the state has to work with is an initial step for setting a state budget. The full Legislature convenes in January and will set a budget for the coming fiscal year.

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