Epicenter Memphis

Epicenter Memphis will be closed Wednesday, November 27, through Friday, November 29, as we celebrate Thanksgiving. ?? We’re thankful for our incredible community of entrepreneurs, partners, and supporters who make our mission possible every day. We’ll resume normal hours on Monday, December 2. Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful and restful holiday! ??

? Memphis is truly the "epicenter" of innovation! ? We’re thrilled to celebrate the success of the Next Big Thing Pitch Competition, hosted in partnership with The Society of Entrepreneurs?? Six startups took the stage to showcase their ideas: ?? Naren Balasubramaniam with Metamorphix, Inc. ?? Joshua Herwig with Oasis CDR ?? Chris Cupp with 2U Fuel, LLC. ?? Alfred M. with Express Wages ?? Evan Drumwright with Limber Robotics ?? Wesley Montague with Ship It Pro A huge congratulations to Limber Robotics, who claimed 1st Place, and to Express Wages, the winner of the Audience Choice Award, generously sponsored by City Auto! ???? This competition reflects the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit thriving in Memphis. Startups here aren’t just solving problems; they’re shaping the future and driving economic growth in the Delta region. #NextBigThing2024 #EpicenterMemphis #SocietyofEntrepreneurs #MemphisInnovation #StartupSuccess Photo credit: Chris Day

This week, ZeroTo510 Director Olaf Schulz and a few current and past #ZeroTo510 participants attended #LSTCON, Life Science Tennessee's conference. The conference brings together the life science ecosystem including innovators, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs gather to connect, share insights, and showcase groundbreaking advancements. We’re especially proud of Esra Roan, PhD with Corami Biotech, a participant in this year’s ZeroTo510 cohort, who pitched at the Venture Forum and won the Audience Choice Award! ???? LSTCON 2024 was an inspiring event full of impactful ideas and opportunities, and we’re honored to support the growing life sciences ecosystem in our region. #innovation #lifesciences #epicentermemphis #startupsuccess

?? Congratulations to the Winners of the City Hackathon! ?? We're thrilled to celebrate the brilliant minds who brought innovative solutions to our city's challenges! ?? ?? Grand Prize ($2,000): Byte the Blight Developed a Blight Layer API Gateway to streamline data across departments for GIS-informed blight remediation. Amazing work, Prince Bobo, Michael Gattas, Leo Rule, and Mike Schoenberger! ?? Challenge 1 (Blight) Winner ($1,000): Clean Slate A program empowering re-entering adults and youth to organize neighborhood cleanups while earning cash. Incredible teamwork, Hassan Ali, Kaliaya Dews, Katerra Payne, Yusra Salameh, Yesenia Sanchez, and Tasneem Wakil! ?? Challenge 2 (Workforce Transportation) Winner ($1,000): Tech Titans Created a prototype to pool transportation resources for employees. Outstanding effort, Carl Bledsoe Jr, Venki Mandapati, Venky Rajendran, and Balaji Venkatasubramaniyar! ?? Challenge 3 (AI & Smart City) Winner ($1,000): NEAIA Designed an AI assistant to ease pressure on emergency dispatch systems and improve public understanding of 911 usage. Bravo, Kareem DaSilva, Marcus Kelly, and Chisom Okonkwo! Thank you to everyone who participated and helped drive innovation in our city! ?? #CityHackathon #Innovation #CommunitySolutions #MemphisForward

?? Meet the facilitator for our upcoming Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation FastTrac cohort: Stewart Young With years of industry and entrepreneurial expertise, Stewart is ready to help you build and scale your business. ??? ?? Applications close on Dec. 9th—don’t wait! Take the next step toward your entrepreneurial goals. ?? Apply now: https://lnkd.in/eht_JUjx #Entrepreneurship #FastTrac #BusinessGrowth #EpicenterMemphis

WOW - What a weekend it was at the 2024 City Hackathon! 70 hackers formed 14 teams to develop solutions to pressing civic challenges over 36 hours. Ideas ranged from AI assistants to help address non-emergency calls to ride coordination apps for employers to crowd-sourced blight data collection and remediation tools. We will share more photos, videos and team projects soon but wanted to share a few pictures of the weekend and thank our wonderful sponsors Malasri Engineering, PLLC, Allworld Project Management, B.R. Distilling Company-Blue Note Bourbon, Ting Internet, Blue Suede Networks, Orion, Adams Keegan, Inc. and FedEx Institute of Technology Thanks also to our outstanding event steering committee with City of Memphis, Memphis Technology Foundation, CodeCrew, bdpamemphis, Start Co., City Leadership, Epicenter Memphis, MIDSOUTH MAKERS, and Tech901!

?? Innovation in Action: Hack Memphis 2024 ?? This past weekend, Innovate Memphis City of Memphis and Memphis Technology Foundation hosted a city-wide hackathon, where some of our city’s brightest minds—creatives, software engineers, and project managers—came together to tackle real challenges facing our community. Participants brainstormed and presented groundbreaking solutions to: 1?? Reducing neighborhood blight 2?? Improving transportation access to jobs 3?? Harnessing AI, high-speed fiber, and smart city technology to shape the future of Memphis The energy in the room was electric, and the innovative solutions proposed showed what’s possible when talent meets purpose. Events like #HackMemphis remind us of the incredible potential we have to drive change and create a brighter, more connected future for all Memphians. ?? Let’s keep the momentum going as we work to bring these ideas to life. Together, we’re shaping the future of our city! #HackMemphis2024 #Innovation #SmartCity #FutureofMemphis #EpicenterMemphis

Gearing up for 2025 ???? Our programs team got together at Church Health in Crosstown Concourse to prepare for the upcoming year. Stay tuned for what’s coming! ?? #epicentermemphis #zeroto510 #memphisinnovation ZeroTo510 Nathaniel Smith Ela Emami Olaf Schulz Choya Johnson Lauren Faith Choi Gillian Tinnin

Big congratulations to our President & CEO, Anthony Young, for being named to the Memphis Business Journal Power 100! ?? In just a few months, Anthony has already driven Epicenter forward with his vision and dedication. We look forward to what's to come in 2025. ? #EpicenterMemphis #ZeroTo510 #MemphisInnovation #MBJPower100

Are you an entrepreneur ready to grow your business? Join us for a 10-week in-person training program focused on strategy, financial guidance, and critical resources—all designed to set you up for success. Program: A 10-week training program that provides mentorship, business insights, and a $1,500 award upon completion Led by: The University of Memphis Crews Center for Entrepreneurship For: Existing and aspiring multicultural and immigrant small business owners Application deadline: Nov 29. Space is limited to 10 participants, so don’t wait! Start creating your business legacy in Memphis today: https://lnkd.in/eCqJAggu #MemphisEntrepreneurs #MulticulturalBusiness #DemandGeneration