This is Vital.

I want to invite you on a journey. What you’re about to read is not your ordinary impact report with numbers, charts, and graphs. That’s because Memphis is not an ordinary city, entrepreneurs aren’t ordinary people, and this is not an ordinary story.  No, it’s much more than that, in fact it’s extraordinary by every measure.

The sections of this site reflect this reality. They are the big, eye-opening truths we’ve uncovered throughout our journey so far. They are the ideals that got us to where we are, and they will lead us as we continue on. We not only believe them wholeheartedly, we keep them in mind every day with every decision and interaction.

So, regardless of your role, your location, or your experience, I hope these ideas can inform, broaden, or reaffirm your own entrepreneurial journey.

Leslie Lynn Smith
President and CEO, Epicenter
Truth one

Believe in the audacious.

We’re raising $100 million to fuel the future of Memphis.

We live in a city of contrasts. Memphis is home to three Fortune 500 companies, multiple world-class healthcare and university institutions, and the nation’s largest logistics hub. Our city boasts the highest concentration of nonprofits and philanthropic giving in the country.

We also have a poverty rate double the national average and a metro population that has flatlined in the past 10 years. Hit the hardest are black residents, who represent 63% of the population, own 60% of businesses, but only receive 1% of gross sales receipts city-wide.

One billion dollars in social services and charitable giving provide a much-needed economic safety net every year. But it’s not enough. Philanthropy alone can’t reverse decades of systemic economic problems. But entrepreneurs can. And they can do it with just 1% of the annual investment given to Memphis-area charities.

Here’s what it looks like: $100 million dollars over 10 years funneled directly to entrepreneurs and the programs needed to create, train, and support their businesses. Epicenter is leading this charge, providing a single point of accountability and an intentional focus on equity.

But we didn’t start from scratch. From 2005 to 2015, about $54 million in equity investments helped support more than 500 entrepreneurs and launch 150 companies in Memphis. Now, we are effectively doubling this investment amount in the subsequent decade to achieve true, tangible transformation in our city.

We are creating an environment to leverage collaboration, creation, and inclusion in order to see exponential impact across the city. The vision is big, and the time is now.

A $40 Million Start

In late 2018, Epicenter announced a milestone: We raised $40 million of our $100 million goal with investments solely from Memphis-based philanthropic foundations, economic development organizations, corporations, financial institutions, and individuals. Leading this investment is FedEx, contributing a $10 million challenge grant and generating critical momentum.

Three Core Objectives
1.
Create a community of innovation and entrepreneurship.
2.
Grow a just and inclusive economy that benefits all Memphians.
3.
Measure and celebrate the impact of the work.
The Impact of our Big Bet
Here’s what Memphis looks like by 2025:
An entrepreneurial system functioning organically and sustainably
A portfolio of companies built by founders who mirror the demographics of the city
1,000 active, engaged entrepreneurs
500 mentors, executives-in-residence, and subject matter experts
3,000 jobs created
Patent applications increased 3x
Local buy increased by 40%
Active investment funds in Memphis totaling $150 million or more
Recognized Centers of Excellence in medical tech, manufacturing, logistics, music, food, and agriculture
Five Areas of Focus
Network
Fueling culture and connectivity among entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, and partner organizations to launch and grow local companies
Ideas
Fostering innovative companies and products linked to our regional strengths
People
Developing, attracting, and retaining talented and passionate entrepreneurs
Capital
Leveraging public and private investments as a force for equitable entrepreneurial growth
Customers
Connecting entrepreneurs to institutional buyers for purchasing, licensing, and acquisition opportunities
The Numbers so Far
360
companies created or scaled
$51+ million
in capital raised by
portfolio companies
400
entrepreneurs
of color served
350
women
entrepreneurs
served
over
600
entrepreneurs
served
290
jobs created (known employees in ecosystem who work at companies engaged, created, or scaled)
$9.5 million
in tech sales (2018)
Truth Two

Burn all barriers.

Start here.
Epicenter is the front door of entrepreneurship in Memphis. Regardless of size of idea or venture, we help entrepreneurs navigate every challenge they might face when starting or scaling a business.
Pathway to Entrepreneurship
Youth entrepreneurship programs
Imagine U
LITE
Crews Center
Ecosystem events
So You Think You Want to Be an Entrepreneur?
48-Hour Launch
Office hours
Accelerators and curriculum-based programs
Summer of Acceleration CO.STARTERS
Incubation and growth
365 Incubation mentorship Coworking
Business development
Portfolio engagement Operation Opportunity Challenge
Get In on the Ground Floor
Entrepreneurs don’t materialize out of thin air. They need connections, resources, information, and inspiration to get going. Since its inception, Epicenter has collaborated with local and national partners to pilot programs and events that address common challenges — and make the idea of entrepreneurship attainable to anyone who’s interested.
Rebrand Cities
A national initiative to get 10,000 small businesses online, Rebrand Cities, came to Memphis in the Fall of 2018. The program helped 43 Memphis-based entrepreneurs expand their market reach with technical, marketing, and visual design assistance. Several local design professionals volunteered to build the new websites, which entered them into a national design challenge with designers from across the country. The winner of the $10,000 national design prize was Memphis’ own Erica Dallas.
In it Together
The strength of the program comes from the one-of-a-kind collaboration among seven higher education institutions across Memphis:
University of Memphis
Christian Brothers University
LeMoyne-Owen College
Memphis College of Art
Rhodes College
Southwest Community College
Visible Music College
Imagine U 2018 Cohort by the Numbers:
48% male
52% female
78% students of color
86% learned how to deal with failure in a positive way
93% likely to pursue an entrepreneurial career
93% felt more confident about future job prospects
100% improved in personal confidence
Explore more at
imagineuaccelerator.com
Recent wins for CO.STARTERS grads:
  • Kapriskie Mack launched The 901 Box, a monthly curated subscription box featuring Memphis-made products. Kapriskie pitched at the Urban Summit Pitch Showcase in February 2018 and received a $1,000 Kiva loan.
  • Tracy Burgess pitched at the Urban Summit Pitch Showcase in February 2018 and received a $10,000 Kiva loan. In the fall of 2018, she opened a brick-and-mortar location for Lucy J’s Bakery in Crosstown Concourse.
  • Donald Kirkland opened a brick-and-mortar store for his company, Lifestyle Screen Printing, and was honored with an American Small Business Champion Award by SCORE.
  • Ibtisam Salih and Indra Sunuwar joined Global Cafe, an immigrant-run food hall and one of the most popular eateries in Memphis’ Crosstown Concourse.
CO.STARTERS
highlights:
4
cohorts
73
applications
37
participants
100%
graduation rate
$11,000
in capital investments
Entrepreneur Feature:
Trinette Johnson-Williams,
Owner of TJ Builds
Read Now
Ecosystem Entrypoint: Operation Opportunity Challenge
Operation Opportunity Challenge is a strategic initiative to help create or scale new businesses that solve real problems of existing businesses. In 2018, Renaissance Service Group received a $25,000 award and in-person assistance to expand their business and develop logistics solutions that benefited local makers and manufacturers.
Identify top pain points in a local industry or community
Host a business plan competition to source the best solution
Select qualified operators with sustainable plans
Provide seed funding and technical assistance to launch or continue scaling the winning business idea
Experts in the Wings
Throughout the ecosystem, a roster of experienced leaders provide knowledge, network, and insight to new businesses in Memphis. Enlisting EIRs (Entrepreneurs in Residence) and XIRs (Executives in Residence) gives access to top talent and advice from inside and outside of the region.
Christopher Lee, EIR at The 800 Initiative / Start Co
Cliff Lynch, XIR at Epicenter
Margaret Oldham, EIR at AgLaunch
Kyle Wild, EIR at Start Co.
Anthony Young, XIR at Epicenter
Lessons Learned
We don’t get everything right. Here are some things we’ve learned along the way.
Tell everyone.
A large part of the Memphis population is unaware that these programs, funding, and support are available to them. Part of burning barriers to access is increasing visibility, especially to those who may not be in our direct line of sight.
Keep building the pipeline.
Most of the entry points to our ecosystem are suited for new founders at the idea stage. But what about founders looking to scale? Or successful founders with a new idea? Now, we are expanding access and offerings to more entrepreneurs and companies at various stages.
Be a resource for employees, too.
One huge, positive outcome of a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem is the creation of new, well-paying jobs. We are improving the way we communicate these available opportunities and even the types of jobs one can expect when working with startups.
Truth Three

Don't underestimate
black women.

A City-Wide Reach
Since inception, Epicenter and its partners have engaged 341 women entrepreneurs and 336 entrepreneurs of color (and counting) across 57 of the 63 zip codes in the Greater Memphis region.
Entrepreneurs Engaged by Epicenter
71% identify as people of color
59% are Black or African American
56% identify as women
Invest in Women
Recent national studies show companies with women founders are returning 78 cents per dollar of investment compared to 31 cents for men. This, in the face of receiving less than half of initial venture capital funding up front.
So why did women only receive 2.2% of venture capital funding in 2017? Deep-seated bias and systemic oversight ignore the data that favor investment in female entrepreneurs.
More than just bringing this information to light, Epicenter is actively investing in and supporting women in an effort to level the landscape — and see greater returns.
VC funding received nationally
Men: $2.1 million
Women: $935,000
Revenue generated over 5 years
Men: $662,000
Women: $730,000
Sources: MassChallenge; Boston Consulting Group
Venture Capital Investment Distribution 2015-2018
This local snapshot is encouraging, but only when compared to the dismal state of equity in national venture capital funding. These numbers need to reflect population demographics across the country, and we’re starting here in Memphis.
Memphis 1
Nationally 2
1 Data sourced from Epicenter partners and represents the vast majority of our portfolio companies.

2 Sources: Forbes, Fortune, Center for American Entrepreneurship
Women
22%
2%
Minority
24.5%
1%
Black
19%
<1%
Minority Women
12%
<1%
Entrepreneur Feature:
Erica Plybeah Hemphill,
CEO & Founder of MedHaul
Read Now
Changing the Face of Entrepreneurship
The Epicenter team has evolved to meet the needs of the entrepreneurial community. We’re entrepreneurs, community leaders, activists — all passionate about doing this work in Memphis. We’re also determined to build a team that reflects the dynamic display of entrepreneurship we want to see in our city. Be sure to say “Hi” when you see us around, or seek us out on social media to see what we’re up to in our city and beyond.
“Each day, I have the privilege of working alongside some of the sharpest minds in Memphis with a common goal of helping others pursue their passions — while achieving equitable economic development in the process. Our work culture is rooted in creativity, flexibility, diversity, and unapologetic swagger. I’m truly honored to be a part of this team, in this moment, in this city.”
-Anthony Young, Executive in Residence, Capital
Lessons Learned
We don’t get everything right. Here are some things we’ve learned along the way.
The numbers don’t add up.
In a city that’s 63% black, our engagement and investment numbers still trend below full participation. We’re proud to be outperforming similarly situated cities but will not stop until we reach our goal for representation that mirrors the demographics of our city. We’re working daily to ensure our offerings are equitable, and we’re helping our system partners do the same.
You’re still surprised.
It’s still extraordinary and unexpected when a black-owned or minority-owned startup is successful. Part of moving toward a more equitable ecosystem is generating consistent, positive stories about underrepresented entrepreneurs until it becomes the norm.
We can’t patronize.
Focusing on growing the number and scale of women-and minority-owned businesses is vital. But we can’t do it exclusively with funds, grants, and pitch competitions that are only targeted to these demographics. We must continue to integrate marginalized entrepreneurs into status-quo programs and pools of funding.
Truth Four

Execute less,
empower more.

What’s a hub, exactly?
It’s an idea that’s talked about a lot: A centralized, common entry point for every person and entity involved in an ecosystem. But you get different definitions depending on where you look. So, how do we actively try to be — and remain — a hub? These are the essential elements.
Trust.
Trust isn’t given, it’s earned. That comes in time, but it also comes from providing meaningful leadership and by being a vocal advocate for the people and companies we’re working to help.
Vision.
To be able to equip and empower partners in our ecosystem, we have to maintain a clear vision for the future. Just as important as the vision itself is communicating it clearly and frequently to ensure alignment and buy-in.
Money.
We can’t deny the power and necessity of capital. As a hub, we actively recruit resources to fuel the creation and growth of new companies and the organizations that foster them.
Mindset.
We have to maintain a culture of entrepreneurship. Not just in our own organization, but throughout the city. This is a state of mind that welcomes risk, champions bold ideas, allows space for failure, and celebrates success.
Spokes.
Without anything to support, there’s no point having a hub. The people and organizations throughout the Memphis community are powerful partners. It’s our job to keep them engaged, supported, and growing.
Expertise.
Being an expert doesn’t mean having all the answers. It means having the partners, program leaders, and staff in place to solve just about any problem that comes through the door.
Focus.
Being a hub means being hyper-aware of the long-term goals, knowing what needs to be done to achieve them, and resisting distractions from the work at every turn. If an opportunity doesn’t help drive our community to our shared vision of success by starting and growing more Memphis companies, we say no.
The Ecosystem
If we can encourage and empower an organization to start a needed piece of programming or absorb an existing one, we ensure the resources and training are in place to make that happen.
Capital
Ideas
People
Network
Customers
Angel Investment and Venture Capital
Epicenter
Innova
MB Venture Partners
Sage Fund
Wolf River Angels
Business Friendly Banks and Lending Institutions
First Tennessee Bank
Communities Unlimited
Community Lift
Hope Federal Credit Union
Lift Fund
Orion
Pathway Lending
Pinnacle Financial Partners
Regions Bank
River City Capital
Tri-State Bank of Memphis
Talent Development
Advance Memphis
Crews Center for Entrepreneurship
CodeCrew
Epicenter
ImagineU
Launch Tennessee
LITE Memphis
Tech901
Market Access
Epicenter
The MMBC Continuum
Memphis Medical
District Collaborative
Regional One Health
Greater Memphis Chamber
Associations and Membership Organizations
Black Business Association
NAWBO
The Rising Tide Society
Society of Entrepreneurs
Economic Development Organizations
City of Germantown
City of Memphis
EDGE
Epicenter
Greater Memphis Chamber
Launch Tennessee
Leadership Memphis
New Memphis Institute
Shelby County
Creative Entrepreneurship Resources
ArtUp (Artspace)
Creative Works
Crosstown Arts
Indie Memphis Film Festival
Music Export Memphis
Made In Memphis Entertainment
Entrepreneurial Programming and Networking
Advance Memphis
Binghampton Development Corp.
 Bunker Labs
Epicenter
MEMShop
Memphis Startup
NAWBO
SCORE Memphis
Start Co.
Tennessee Small Business Development Centers
Spaces to Work
Crosstown Arts
Emerge Memphis
Epicenter
Fruition Complex
Launch Pad
Memphis Public Libraries
Memphis Slim House
Southern Station
Studio 688
Wonder / Cowork / Create
College & Universities
Christian Brothers University
LeMoyne-Owen College
Memphis College of Art
Moore Tech College of Technology
Rhodes College
Southwest Tennessee Community College
University of Memphis
University of Tennessee Health Sciences
Center
Visible Music College
Tech Accelerator Operators and Incubators
AgLaunch
CommuniTech Research Park
Emerge Memphis
Memphis Bioworks Foundation
Start Co.
Capital
Angel Investment and Venture Capital
Epicenter
Innova
MB Venture Partners
Sage Fund
Wolf River Angels
Business Friendly Banks and Lending Institutions
First Tennessee Bank
Communities Unlimited
Community Lift
Hope Federal Credit Union
Lift Fund
Orion
Pathway Lending
Pinnacle Financial Partners
Regions Bank
River City Capital
Tri-State Bank of Memphis
Ideas
Tech Accelerator Operators and Incubators
AgLaunch
CommuniTech Research Park
Emerge Memphis
Memphis Bioworks Foundation
Start Co.
College & Universities
Christian Brothers University
LeMoyne-Owen College
Memphis College of Art
Moore Tech College of Technology
Rhodes College
Southwest Tennessee Community College
University of Memphis
University of Tennessee Health Sciences
Center
Visible Music College
People
Talent Development
Advance Memphis
Crews Center for Entrepreneurship
CodeCrew
Epicenter
ImagineU
Launch Tennessee
LITE Memphis
Tech901
Customers
Market Access
Epicenter
The MMBC Continuum
Memphis Medical
District Collaborative
Regional One Health
Greater Memphis Chamber
Network
Associations and Membership Organizations
Black Business Association
NAWBO
The Rising Tide Society
Society of Entrepreneurs
Economic Development Organizations
City of Germantown
City of Memphis
EDGE
Epicenter
Greater Memphis Chamber
Launch Tennessee
Leadership Memphis
New Memphis Institute
Shelby County
Creative Entrepreneurship Resources
ArtUp (Artspace)
Creative Works
Crosstown Arts
Indie Memphis Film Festival
Music Export Memphis
Made In Memphis Entertainment
Entrepreneurial Programming and Networking
Advance Memphis
Binghampton Development Corp.
 Bunker Labs
Epicenter
MEMShop
Memphis Startup
NAWBO
SCORE Memphis
Start Co.
Tennessee Small Business Development Centers
Spaces to Work
Crosstown Arts
Emerge Memphis
Epicenter
Fruition Complex
Launch Pad
Memphis Public Libraries
Memphis Slim House
Southern Station
Studio 688
Wonder / Cowork / Create
Lessons Learned
We don’t get everything right. Here are some things we’ve learned along the way.
Spinouts take resources.
In order to pilot programs, find well-suited operators, and spin them out, we’ve found it takes bigger teams and more resources than we first thought. As we continue to develop new program concepts, we’re keeping this in mind from the very start.
Understanding outcomes is key.
Before committing to a project, not only must we better define our desired outcomes, we must also better communicate them to everyone involved. When goals are clear and defined internally and with partners, it keeps everyone accountable and on track.
Strategy over tactics.
Staying focused on high-level strategy instead of spending time and resources on tactical execution continues to be an ongoing challenge. Even when we feel like we may be a good fit for the job, we need to remind ourselves to keep engaging partners and outside resources so we can focus on the larger mission.
Truth Five

Go alone and die.

Partners
with Purpose
Here’s how a number of our key partners fit into Epicenter’s five areas of focus.
People
LITE Memphis
University of Memphis Crews Center for Entrepreneurship
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Christian Brothers University
Network
City of Memphis and Shelby County
Launch Tennessee
Memphis Brand Initiative
Capital
Innova
Pathway Lending
Ideas
Advance Memphis
AgLaunch
Binghampton Development Corp.
Memphis Bioworks
Start Co.
Customers
Greater Memphis Chamber and Chairman’s Circle
Memphis Medical District Collaborative
Regional One Health
Cross-partner Collaboration:
The 800 Initiative
Of the nearly 40,000 black-owned businesses in Memphis, only about 800 have paid employees. The 800 Initiative is a collective effort to grow these businesses through the deliberate investment of assistance, capital, and corporate engagement.
Primary Goals
  • Grow the 800 black-owned firms with paid employees’ revenue by $50 million
  • Identify 200 black-owned firms without paid employees and help grow their revenue to more than $100,000 each to help shift them into hiring paid employees
Follow progress of The 800 Initiative at the800.org
Cross-partner Collaboration:
The Summer of Acceleration
The Memphis startup landscape has grown over the years with independent, industry-specific accelerators being founded around the city. The Summer of Acceleration is a 100-day intensive program composed of four parallel programs developing high-tech, high-growth startup companies.
Four accelerators, one demo day.
Launch Delta Home Services Accelerator ZeroTo510 Medical Device Accelerator SparkGap Supply Chain & Logistics Accelerator Sky High Civic Technology Accelerator
What we’re trying next: Maturing the ecosystem
Our ecosystem has activated and piloted year-round programming that allows graduates of our accelerator programs and other later-stage companies to continue development with curriculum, capital, and access to experts more well-suited for later-stage companies.
Learn More
How we Spread the Word
We’re only as strong as the things we do, measure, and communicate. With an ecosystem full of partners working in and on various programs, it can be hard to take time to share successes, failures, and progress. But when we do this right, positive impact is felt throughout the region. Here are a few ways we work to carry the message forward.
1
Thought leadership
Press releases and infographics are great, but it’s just as important to share outcomes, ideas, and methods in-person when possible. To see some of the conferences, panels, and convenings at which Epicenter staff presented or participated across the country in 2018, see our Team page.
2
Relationships over transactions
It’s one thing to just present information to our partners and community. It’s another entirely to share it with them while asking for input, feedback, and needs. This approach not only builds trust, it also makes the information less prescriptive and more collaborative.
3
Data aggregation
Part of being a hub is collecting data sets from various sources throughout the network. Different ecosystem partners have different participation metrics, success rates, and demographics. We aggregate all this information into one place so we can analyze and present a holistic view of Memphis entrepreneurship. This also helps identify systemic gaps that aren’t being addressed by any one entity in the ecosystem.
Lessons Learned
We don’t get everything right. Here are some things we’ve learned along the way.
Keep partners aligned.
With so many individuals and organizations providing resources, it can be difficult to ensure quality and consistency of programming while avoiding redundant efforts. Frequently, this comes down to making sure everyone is equipped with relevant and up-to-date info, which is a challenge in and of itself.
100 days is just the start.
Accelerators are great for getting businesses to an MVP, but what about the next step? And the step after? What about founders entering the ecosystem with experience? Or companies that have already surpassed early milestones? With help from our partners, we are filling these gaps to increase a company’s chances of reaching viability and long-term success.
Truth Six

Keep entrepreneurs
at the center.

Middle of the Action
We make sure entrepreneurs in the Epicenter ecosystem wear many hats. Yes, they’re business owners, but they’re also workshop instructors and panelists and mentors and staff members and program leads. When an opportunity arises, we don’t insert ourselves, we insert entrepreneurs. It’s a powerful thing to have many voices and perspectives leading the conversation about building businesses in Memphis — especially when it’s coming from those actively doing it.
Entrepreneur Feature:
Kayla Rodriguez Graff,
CEO & Co-Founder of SweetBio
Read Now
Good News
When an individual, company, or organization in the ecosystem has a success, we do our best to spread the word.
Listen Up:
Grindset
In the fall of 2018, Epicenter helped launch a podcast hosted by Memphis entrepreneurs Cynthia Daniels and Williams Brack. Grindset unpacks the journeys taken by entrepreneurs to explore how they became successful, where they failed, and why they kept going. The show features interviews with companies of all types and sizes while having a focus on women founders and founders of color. Learn more about Grindset here.
Lessons Learned
We don’t get everything right. Here are some things we’ve learned along the way.
There’s never too much recognition.
Celebrating wins of any size is crucial to the social and mental health of the ecosystem. Even a small piece of recognition can be fuel to take the next step or keep going. We often forget how important this is and need to remind ourselves frequently to step back and see who deserves some acknowledgement.
Success without failure isn’t genuine.
Successes are great — but if all we talk about are the wins, we set a false standard for new entrepreneurs. Failure is a real part of the game. We need to normalize failure more and remove some of the stigma. That comes from openly sharing stories of failure and showing how they can lead to positive outcomes.
Truth Seven

You're not in Silicon Valley.

Industry focus:
Logistics

With global giants like Medtronic and Smith & Nephew, plus a wealth of university medical research institutions, Memphis houses an uncommon concentration of medical device knowledge. It only makes sense to tap into the existing landscape to empower entrepreneurs in this space.

Since 2015:

  • 12 Logistics-based companies launched
  • More than $6.8 million in early-stage funding
Entrepreneur Feature:
Ken Sills,
CEO and Co-Founder of Preteckt
Read Now
Industry focus:
Medical Devices

With global giants like Medtronic and Smith & Nephew, plus a wealth of university medical research institutions, Memphis houses an uncommon concentration of medical device knowledge. It only makes sense to tap into the existing landscape to empower entrepreneurs in this space.

Since 2015:

  • 15 Medical Device companies launched
  • More than $13.2 million in early-stage funding
Entrepreneur Feature:
Esra Roan,
PHD, CEO and Founder of SOMAVAC
Read Now
Industry focus:
Home Services

Brands like Terminix, ServiceMaster Clean, Merry Maids, and American Home Shield are all under the ServiceMaster umbrella. And as of 2017, this Fortune 100 firm is headquartered in downtown Memphis. With them comes capital, connections, and decades of experience in home services industries.

Since 2018:

  • 6 Home Services companies launched
  • More than $1.2 million in early-stage funding
Entrepreneur Feature:
Jessica Buffington,
CEO & Founder of HelloHome
Read Now
Industry focus:
Ag Tech

An ag tech company in Memphis can be at their downtown office one minute and in the field with a grower 30 minutes later. We’re home to a regional network of farmers who can activate and pilot new technologies, as well as industry anchors like Agricenter and Indigo Ag, creating a unique blend of geography and industry expertise that provides fertile ground for disruption.

Since 2016:

  • 13 AgTech companies launched
  • More than $3.9 million in early-stage funding
Entrepreneur Feature:
Jairo Trad,
CEO and Founder of Kilimo
Read Now
Recent Company Wins Across the Ecosystem
SOMAVAC Medical Solutions receives FDA clearance of wearable post-surgical device
Dev/Con Detect is accepted into Techstars London’s FinTech accelerator and raises $4 million
Preteckt expands to Memphis Area Transit Authority fleet
EarthSense is awarded a $250,000 grant by the National Science Foundation
Lessons Learned
We don’t get everything right. Here are some things we’ve learned along the way.
Pilot, then pivot.
The startup landscape in Memphis began with a focus on building high-tech, high-growth companies. When we realized we were well-suited for a particular set of industries, we shifted to focus on those strengths. We’re always evaluating and reevaluating our current structure and approach to see how we can iterate to create a stronger ecosystem.
Create stickiness.
Entrepreneurs come to Memphis from all over the world to start their businesses as a part of our accelerator programs. To get them to stay, we need to have the capital, people, market, culture, and networks that make it a no-contest decision.
Truth Eight

Idle money is worthless.

We’re Doing
This Differently

As a city, Memphis has disproportionately invested into nonprofit efforts (more than $1 billion a year, in fact) that support vulnerable populations who are, in many instances, suffering from the symptoms of poverty. While well-intentioned, we know that strategic investments in entrepreneurship will grow the local economy and expand economic participation by building individual, family and community wealth, and creating independence and agency for our neighbors.

We also know we have to go big or stay small. A pool of $100 million actively flowing into the local entrepreneurial economy will be absolutely transformational — even more so when we’re not afraid of failure, and instead, committed to success. We approach every opportunity with optimism and courage, because we believe Memphis is investible and can achieve audacious things if we are bold in our efforts to transform the economy with entrepreneurs leading the way.

And we’re not only investing the money in one way or in one type of company. This money is broken down into three tiers: non-dilutive, equity-based, and debt-based. This unique structure is able to help entrepreneurs at different stages with different capital needs.

One hundred million dollars is great, but remember the title of this section. Our goal is to have this money make money — to leverage it in order to get a 3.5x return with outside investments, jobs created, companies launched, and talent attracted. This number isn’t a guess, it’s what we’ve found to be true in similar markets and structures in other cities like Detroit, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland.
Entrepreneur Feature:
Angel Jackson,
Founder of Replenish Kombucha
Read Now
Total Investment Breakdown
1. Epicenter Memphis Investment Funds
To specifically serve high-tech companies, and to provide an attractive investment opportunity, Epicenter created an investment fund strategy with two pools of high-growth equity capital with distinct purposes: Epicenter Memphis Formation Fund and Epicenter Memphis Co-investment Fund.
2. Memphis Small Business Opportunity Loan Fund
Epicenter and Pathway Lending have partnered to launch the Memphis Small Business Opportunity Loan Fund. This $15 million debt-based fund improves access to capital particularly for minority-and women-owned businesses. Pinnacle Financial Partners, First Tennessee, and Regions Bank provided initial capitalization of the fund.
3. Friends and Family Fund
Small businesses are often faced with one-time capital milestones like obtaining a prototype, hiring a designer, or buying a piece of equipment. But strict loan underwriting requirements and a lack of access to well-resourced friends and family networks make this money hard to come by for neighborhood small businesses, particularly startups. Born out of a need to remove barriers to funding, the Friends and Family Fund bridges this gap by providing non-dilutive, targeted investments of $1,000–$20,000. This accessible funding enables small businesses, both tech-based and community-based, to achieve significant growth milestones with laser-focused infusions of capital to acquire needed equipment or services.
Entrepreneur Feature:
Brit McDaniel,
Founder of Paper & Clay
Read Now
Memphis Investment & Advisory Club

In 2018, we started the Memphis Investment and Advisory Club (MIAC) to foster direct, one-on-one introductions between angel investors and promising companies and projects in Memphis. Here’s how it works: We select three companies to pitch at an intimate gathering and invite private investors to spend time with them. Pitches are given, conversations are lively, and connections are made. But the best part? The ROI has been nothing short of staggering.

In 2018, MIAC:

  • Hosted five events
  • Featured 18 different companies or projects
  • Invested $1.2 million in seven companies
  • Fostered capital, new customers, mentor and advisor relationships, or new R&D opportunities to 80% of participating companies.
Entrepreneur Feature:
Idicula Mathew,
CEO of Hera Health
Read Now
Lessons Learned
We don’t get everything right. Here are some things we’ve learned along the way.
Capitalize for-profits as much as nonprofits.
Our civic inclination to pump money into nonprofits has served as a necessary safety net over the past 20 years. Now, we need to focus some of that investment on for-profit ventures, as other markets have already proven the viability and positive ROI of this strategy.
It’s not all about tech.
Until recently, our startup ecosystem was primarily focused on high-tech, high-growth startups. We know, however, that other critical businesses serve our community with non-tech solutions, and they also need support to launch and scale. We’ve added programs and funds that directly seek out and support creative entrepreneurs and community-oriented businesses.
Angel networks don’t build themselves.
Sometimes the deals aren’t obvious and they need to be pulled out of the shadows. This doesn’t just happen — you have to intentionally create space for collisions between investors, advisors, and entrepreneurs.
Truth Nine

Keep going -- even when
they call you crazy.

A Vision for 2025
Network
We envision a city with a healthy, thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. Where entrepreneurs can develop their ideas in well-established spaces. Where collaborative public and private sector partnerships encourage economic growth. And where the rich diversity of Memphis is reflected and celebrated throughout the entrepreneurial community.
Ideas
We envision a city known worldwide for its core industrial assets of medical device tech, agriculture, logistics, home services, food, and music. Where these industries can grow, transform, and be disrupted. And where anyone with an idea and the drive to back it up can find the support to make it successful.
People
We envision a city where entrepreneurs choose Memphis to pursue their dreams. Where a wide network of mentors and experts provide critical support to young companies. And where those companies create a broad range of employment opportunities at a living wage.
Capital
We envision a city with abundant and accessible investment capital. Where venture and impact investment funds exceed $150 million locally. Where national venture firms maintain an active Memphis presence. And where a diverse, inclusive network of founders is primed to activate those investments.
Customers
We envision a city where private sector buyers have stepped up to inform technology development that meets evolving market needs. Where they test ideas and discover new ones. And where they provide access to facilities and the expertise to support development.
Thank you for taking
this journey with us.

Memphis entrepreneurs, though resilient and resourceful, have had to battle the impacts of an undercapitalized ecosystem and under-resourced metro area for far too long. As we look to the future, Epicenter is committed to the continued development of partnerships and acquisition of capital made directly accessible to Memphis’ vibrant and diverse community of entrepreneurs.

This work is hard, and change comes slowly. There have been many times I’ve lost sleep, felt exhausted or disheartened by the sheer force of will to keep doing what we’ve always been doing. There will always be those who prefer to sit in the comfort of the old, broken way than to try something new and courageous.

We simply cannot wait any longer for change to come. The time is now to lift up Memphis’ entrepreneurs and go bravely toward an economy in which everyone can participate.

Memphis is rising. Are you coming with us?

Leslie Lynn Smith
President and CEO, Epicenter
Epicenter’s mission wouldn’t be possible without the courageous support of our investors who continue to believe in Memphis.
Visit epicentermemphis.org/invest To learn more about our investors and explore ways to support entrepreneurship in Memphis.
Vital was written and designed by creative agency Baby Grand. Entrepreneur profiles contributed by Emily Rooker. Photography by Brandon Dill, Jarvis Hughes, Brody Kuhar, Shira Marie, and Darius Williams.