Epicenter’s Capital
Readiness Accelerator

The Capital Readiness Program gives entrepreneurs the tools and knowledge they need to effectively navigate the rapidly changing fundraising environment and puts them in place to successfully raise the capital they need to grow their business. 

Applications open on February 4, 2025 and close on March 4, 2025.

So You Think You
Want Investment? 

The Capital Readiness Program is a cohort-based, classroom-style accelerator that meets weekly over a 6-week period. The accelerator features presentations, classroom discussions, and guest speakers. Each week, participants will also engage in fieldwork.

Attendees will receive a $50 commitment bonus for each week they attend. Graduates of the equity capital program will be eligible for personalized support to help strategize and plan their fundraising efforts.

Program Schedule:

  • In this session, students will learn what capital is for, where it comes from, and how decisions regarding capital are made.

  • This session will cover how to determine the appropriate use of funds and the right time to raise capital. It will include case studies featuring entrepreneurs from Epicenter’s portfolio.

  • Students will learn how to identify the right investors, what documentation is needed, and how to prepare the necessary documentation.

  • This session will cover how investors make decisions, the steps involved in the application process, and essential soft skills and sales techniques.

  • This session will explain investment terms related to debt (such as interest rates, guarantees, service fees, and taxes) and equity (including valuations, dividends, share prices, cap tables, and converting instruments).

  • The final session will feature a review and a graduation ceremony, including a panel discussion with professional investors.

Cohort Information

Dates: March 18 - April 22, 2025

When: Tuesdays, 5:30pm - 8:30pm

Location: In-person, Epicenter

If you have any additional questions about Epicenter’s Capital Readiness Accelerator,
please reach out to nate@epicentermemphis.org