Douglas Scarboro at LaunchMemphis Startup Weekend

If you are looking for the right resources to start a new high impact or high growth potential business, then Memphis has a lot to offer.  With this my first post on MemphisConnect, I want to take the time to map out the local technology startup ecosystem.

LaunchMemphis is supporting entrepreneurial action with a series of events throughout the year all designed to grow the entrepreneurial culture of Memphis, TN.  Events undertaken include the LaunchMemphis Investment Forum, Startup Weekend, Business Plan Boot Camp, BarCamp and other initiatives. For more information visit: http://www.launchmemphis.com/

Memphis BioWorks Foundation is pushing head on many fronts to change the Memphis bioscience landscape.   BioWorks is leading initiatives to expand upon the community’s demonstrated areas of bioscience leadership to create an international center for the development and commercialization of bioscience technology.    To nurture start-up bioscience, bioagriculture, and biologistics ventures in the community, BioWorks offers entrepreneurs incubator space, shared equipment, management services and vital connections that assist in moving companies forward. For more info visit: http://www.memphisbioworks.org/

Innova Memphis invests in start-up companies, helps them grow, and then assists them in linking with established corporations for licensing, buy-outs or further investments.  Innova has thus far invested in arGentis and Vaxent, both pharma companies.  For more info visit: http://www.innovamemphis.com/

EmergeMemphis is a focal point for entrepreneurial activity in the Mid-South specializing in general business and technology-based incubation.  Emerge provides value added services to members to positively impact their growth and accelerate their successful development.  For more info visit: http://www.emergememphis.org/

TECworks was established by a Tennessee Technology Development Corporation grant to support aspiring entrepreneurs and emerging companies through experience-based education and business services.  A Memphis network of Angel investors is likely to spring soon from this initiative.

Mercury Technology Labs is an innovation connector and venture creation company.  Mercury finds the best raw technologies and research talent from research and development labs both academic and industrial, invests management expertise and capital, and creates new technology business ventures.  For more info visit: http://www.mercurytechlabs.com/

The Launchpad is a co-working environment for concept, pre-seed, and seed stage business development created in partnership with Mercury Technology Labs, EmergeMemphis, and MBI.  The Launchpad combines the benefits of co-working and collaboration with both formal and informal advising to assist entrepreneurs and technologists alike in growing their technology based businesses.  For more info visit: http://www.mercurylaunchpad.com/

Mid-South Minority Business Council C.E.E.D Incubator The Center for Emerging Entrepreneurial Development (C.E.E.D.) is a business incubator which opened in March 2007 to address the lack of minority businesses in certain industry segments. The Mid-South Minority Business Council, in conjunction with the corporate members of our organization and the Memphis Tomorrow Foundation plan, identified numerous industry segments where there was little or no representation in the form of minority or women owned businesses.

A note to new entreprenuers: I strongly encourage anyone looking to start a business in Memphis to reach out to these organizations early in your business development process.  Not only will it will save you time, energy, and money, but also it will accelerate your efforts.

A note to new investors: I strongly encourage you to reach out to the leaders of all these organizations and get familiar with their programs.  Through your active engagement you will find the best uses of your time and money in the local entrepreneurial community.

Update: 24 March 2009

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