FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Lauren Berry
Start Co.
lberry@archermalmo.com
901-260-1186

Jessica Taveau
Epicenter
jessica@epicentermemphis.org
901-220-2710

Ralph Berry
ZeroTo510
berry@sullivanbranding.com
901-486-4269

Fourth Annual Summer of Acceleration Kicks Off in Memphis

Entrepreneurs from Memphis and across the U.S. participate in accelerators focused on regional industries of strength; Memphis Demo Day on August 15

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (May 21, 2019) – Memphis entrepreneurial partners Start Co., Epicenter and ZeroTo510 today announced the 10 startup companies participating in their accelerator collaboration known as the Summer of Acceleration, now in its fourth year.

The Summer of Acceleration is a 100-day intensive, hands-on educational program that speeds the development of high-tech, high-growth startup companies focused on four regional industries of strength: smart city, medical device, supply chain and logistics, and home services.

“We’re excited to host the Summer of Acceleration for its fourth year, giving these individuals the opportunity to learn from other leaders, connect them to potential customers, and grow their skill sets and knowledge,” said Eric Mathews, CEO and founder of Start Co. “We’re proud to be the only market in the country that offers this kind of accelerator experience to entrepreneurs.”

The 2019 Summer of Acceleration startups follow:

Sky High Civic Technology Accelerator is designed to fit within the greater Smart Memphis effort by partnering with the City of Memphis information services team and Innovate Memphis. This accelerator is seeking civic and smart city technology-based startups to solve problems and create efficiency in the transportation, crime and public safety space. In addition to the three teams going through this accelerator program, two post-revenue companies, HealthNote and LawnTap, will be working with the City of Memphis and Innovate Memphis in their newly established early adopter program.

• Moment AI (Memphis, Tenn.) is a Smart City technology company that focuses on increasing driving safety through the detection of medical events. Using machine learning and autonomous transportation, Moment AI is working to make roads and passengers safer.

• PAT (Memphis, Tenn.) is an augmented reality cloud storage platform designed to help designers, animators and architects bring their 3D models to life by converting models into holograms and then sharing them through the web.

• Parka Solutions (Atlanta) is a location based marketing API that allows brands and retail stores to send rewards, offers and content to people as they travel through transportation apps (e.g., Uber, Lyft, Bird, Lime, etc.). Parka is creating the first native advertising platform for the digital transportation ecosystem.

• Health Note (Houston) is an AI platform helping to improve patient encounters by gathering pre-visit information and creating a doctor's note. Health Note allows physicians to optimize time by confirming information instead of wasting time exploring and documenting.

• Lawntap (Atlanta) is an on-demand and automated service for lawn care maintenance. Their hands free Smart Lawn sensor constantly monitors lawn height, allowing homeowners and municipalities to cut costs and increase efficiency.

Sparkgap Logistics Accelerator, powered by Start Co. and Epicenter connects startups investing in logistics solutions in intelligent packaging, supply chain visibility and supply chain data analytics, and gives access to expertise and potential customers across the dense and diverse logistics industry in Memphis. This year’s team, which will be joined by later-stage companies engaged in year-round programming in the fall, is as follows:

• Easymove (Chicago) is a mobile app which connects local truck and van owners with people and businesses who need reliable, trusted moving and delivery help at an affordable, flat cost.

ZeroTo510 Medical Device Accelerator specializes in developing and commercializing medical devices that typically utilize the FDA’s 510k regulatory pathway. Now in its eighth year, ZeroTo510 assists medical device inventors in developing their idea into a prototype, crafting a plan to gain FDA clearance and then launching into the marketplace. Founded by Memphis Bioworks, the program has been named one of the top 25 accelerator programs in the country for the last four years by the Seed Accelerator Rankings Project. ZeroTo510 had a record number of applications for the 2019 cohort, with applications from around the world and device innovations in a broad spectrum of specialties such as diagnostics, pediatrics, orthopedics, cardiovascular and diabetes. This year’s cohort is as follows:

• Winter Innovations (Knoxville, Tenn.), from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, is creating solutions that address areas of orthopedic surgery. The first product, EasyWhip, is a patent-pending surgical needle that improves the speed and accuracy of the critical “whip stitching” step performed in orthopedic reconstruction procedures like ACL or rotator cuff surgery.

• Oracle Health (Tampa, Fla.) is developing a miniature implantable smart stethoscope to continuously monitor heart sounds in patients at high risk for heart failure in order to prevent adverse events and hospitalization.

• DiaTech Diabetes Technologies (Tallahassee, Fla.), from Florida State University, creates innovative technology for diabetes patients worldwide. DiaTech’s first product is a new infusion set for insulin pumps that provides real-time alerts for insulin delivery failure at injection sites.

• Azimuth Sleep Solutions (Memphis, Tenn.), from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, is simplifying the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines. Their first product is a patent-pending CPAP mask design, one that is small, strapless and precision-fit to the patient’s own teeth and nose, and delivers air precisely and comfortably into the upper airway during sleep.

During the Summer of Acceleration, Start Co. will provide centralized programming for core accelerator curriculum such as building a business model, customer discovery and sales pipeline development to all participating startups. In turn, each accelerator partner will provide its cohort with industry-specific programming and connections to mentors and potential customers. All teams will co-locate at Start Co.’s downtown space throughout the summer.

Seed investments into the participating companies are made by Epicenter, the region’s entrepreneurial hub, through its Formation Fund. In addition, Epicenter will connect accelerator participants to community-wide resources, including a growing angel investor community and executives-in-residence who support represented industries.

“The Summer of Acceleration is a critical piece of the tech innovation pipeline and deal flow here in the region,” said Leslie Lynn Smith, president and CEO of Epicenter. “During the summer of acceleration period and afterward, our goal is to connect these new companies with the customers, capital and talent they need to grow sustainably and hire here in Shelby County.”

In addition to industry programming, female founders in all accelerators can elect to participate in Start Co.’s parallel Upstart track, which will provide complementary networking and mentorship opportunities for women entrepreneurs.

Accelerator programming launched on May 6. The Summer of Acceleration will culminate on Aug. 15 with Demo Day, the startups’ opportunity to pitch their innovative ideas to investors, share their insights with the greater entrepreneurial community and network with community leaders.

Partners and sponsors for the Summer of Acceleration include Launch Tennessee, American Airlines, Archer Malmo, AutoZone, IBM, Baker Donelson, Mosaik, The Marston Group, ServiceMaster and more.

About Start Co.:

Start Co. is a nationally recognized nonprofit 501(c)(3) venture development organization based in Memphis, Tennessee, that relentlessly builds founders and companies, promoting entrepreneurship for everyone with a focus on digital startups. Start Co. is a member of the Global Accelerator Network and aims to advance Memphis’ economic growth through entrepreneurship. The organization is supported by partners including American Airlines, Archer Malmo, Baker Donelson, The Marston Group, Mosaik Solutions and IBM. More information can be found at neverstop.co.

About Epicenter:

The Memphis region has a connected and collaborative entrepreneurship ecosystem led by Epicenter, the nonprofit hub of the greater Memphis entrepreneurial movement. Using a systems approach, Epicenter drives strategy and measures impact among a network of economic development, academic, corporate and government partners to increase support to new and existing tech startups, creative and community-based businesses, student entrepreneurs and others across industries and stages of growth. Epicenter and its partners connect these entrepreneurs to programming, capital, customers and talent in order to create a just, inclusive and growing economy that accrues to all Memphians. More information is at epicentermemphis.org.

About ZeroTo510:

ZeroTo510 Medical Device Accelerator specializes in commercializing medical devices that typically utilize the FDA’s 510k regulatory pathway. Now in its eighth year, ZeroTo510 is recognized as the nation’s premier accelerator for entrepreneurs pursuing FDA approvals and business development in the medical device category. Applications for the 2019 cohort came from around the world and covered a broad range of categories, such as diagnostics, pediatrics, orthopedics, cancer and drug delivery, to name a few. Founded by Memphis Bioworks, the program has been named one of the top 25 accelerator programs in the country by the Seed Accelerator Rankings Project. More information is at zeroto510.com.

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