We are building an inclusive support network for entrepreneurs in Memphis.

Epicenter’s mission is to fuel economic development in Memphis by supporting new and fast-growing businesses and ideas. We believe that inclusive innovation and entrepreneurship are the keys to achieving a thriving economy, and we're here to make it happen, together.

Our Strategy and Vision:

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Create a community and culture of entrepreneurship.

This is a community where ideas and investments flow freely, bold and innovative solutions are encouraged, and entrepreneurs can easily find the resources they need at any stage of their business journey.

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Grow a just and inclusive economy for Memphians.

We firmly believe that participation in entrepreneurship should mirror our city’s rich and diverse population. We work to identify and remove barriers so that everyone can have a fair shot at entrepreneurship.

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Measure and celebrate the impact across our network.

Data collected from our partner organizations helps us identify where we are and determine how far we need to go. We openly share metrics between our local partners to calculate the overall impact of our work.

As a catalyst to the Greater Memphis
entrepreneurial movement, Epicenter:

  • Pilots, scales, and invests in programs that fill demonstrated gaps in the ecosystem, spur ideation and company creation, educate entrepreneurs, and grow existing small businesses

  • Serves as a central contact point for accessing entrepreneurial resources in the network

  • Attracts innovations and entrepreneurs to Memphis in areas of opportunity that are linked to our regional strengths.

  • Develops easy access to seed- and early-stage capital and attracts out-of-state investment capital

  • Helps build capacity of existing support organizations in strategic areas

  • Leverages public spending, funding, investments, and planning as a force for growth

  • Leads programs that apply to the network broadly, creating system efficiencies (e.g. non-traditional capital, national branding, data collection)

  • Develops and leads a strategy that connects entrepreneurs to tech, ideas, capital, customers, talent, and spaces

  • Collects, measures, and reports the economic impact of entrepreneurship in Memphis

  • Supports fundraising by partner organizations by providing impact data, grant support and evidence of network fit

  • Ensures that intentional inclusion strategies are integrated into all programs

Recommended Reading:
Learn more about Epicenter’s work

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View Epicenter’s Latest Impact Report

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Entrepreneur
Feature:
Maggie Louie

CEO of DEVCON

Invest In Memphis

Your tax-deductible donation to Epicenter, a 501(c)(3) organization, helps scale programs and investment for entrepreneurs across our region. You can also support entrepreneurs by donating your time via mentorship, expertise and general business support by e-mailing us at info@epicentermemphis.org