The Innovation Lab:
A Tech Pre-accelerator

 
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The Innovation Lab was designed to support people with great tech ideas.

Memphis is home to several startup acceleration programs that focus on providing early-stage tech founders with the right mentorship, advice, and key resources to help their startups succeed. These intensive startup accelerators are strategically designed to operate at a fast pace with the end goal of accelerating the timeline needed for early-stage businesses to become ready for capital investment. Participation in a startup accelerator can be transformative for early-stage businesses, and getting accepted into an accelerator is competitive, especially if the founder(s) lack business experience or have ideas that could use a little more development. 

To increase the odds of acceptance into larger acceleration programs, Zeroto510 and Epicenter have partnered to present The Innovation Lab: a virtual pre-acceleration program with a curriculum designed to guide people with idea-stage business concepts through the rigorous process of developing an effective business plan. 

Pre-accelerator participants will spend 5 weeks alongside their peers, business coaches and subject-matter experts who will help them validate their ideas and prepare them for the rigor of a full-time startup accelerator.   

 
 
 

Who is the
Innovation Lab for?

Ideal candidates for the Innovation Lab are first time founders who are in the idea stage of pursuing a business. These founders haven’t validated their concept, identified customers, completed product design, or secured fundraising.

Founders who have participated in an accelerator or are further along in developing their business and founders with startup experience may find this program less helpful.

 
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Topics that we’ll cover:

  • What does it mean to be lean?

  • The Customer Comes First: Discovering your ideal customers

  • Marketing 101: Understanding your market and competition

  • Taking ideas from concepts to products

  • Putting it all together: Developing your business model

  • Legal Considerations

  • Capital 101: All about Finance and Funding

  • The life of a typical startup founder

  • How to pitch like a pro

 
 

Participants should leave
the program with the following:

  • A more competitive application for entrance into accelerator programs

  • An informed understanding if they should pursue their business concept

  • Connections to experts, customers, and professionals in their industry

The Innovation Lab is virtual and will run from June 28, 2021 to July 29, 2021. 

To be considered for a spot in the program, please complete this form by June 14, 2021.
It will take approximately 15 minutes to complete