University of Memphis Announces Entrepreneurship MBA

The Fogelman College is accepting applications for the new Entrepreneurship Track in its Customer-Driven MBA (CDMBA) program. The Entrepreneurship MBA offers selected students a funded full-time MBA program designed to provide them with the range of skills as well as facilitators that they will need to start and grow their own technology-based companies. The program offers selected entrepreneurial-minded students a $6,000 stipend and tuition waiver.

The full-time Entrepreneurship MBA is a 21-month program that entails intensive study in traditional disciplines as well as in-depth training focused on the development of the student’s ability to write and defend a fundable business plan in a specific industry. The AACSB accredited MBA curriculum will encompass business core courses as well as specialized entrepreneurship electives. It will also include one on one interaction with industry-specific professionals with proven entrepreneurial track records who will be assigned to each student. The program’s capstone project will be a presentation of a student-developed business plan to a panel of potential investors with the goal of securing seed funding appropriate to launching the business.

For more information about the Entrepreneurship MBA, please contact Dr. Kevin Boggs at kpboggs@memphis.edu or Dr. Mark Gillenson at mgillnsn@memphis.edu.

Pre-register for this program by clicking here.

TribeCamp April 24

What is TribeCamp Memphis? Well first what is a Tribe?

“A tribe is a group of people connected to one another, connected to a leader, and connected to an idea”, writes author Seth Godin, in his book, Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us.

Thanks to the internet, and the immediacy of modern communications, a tribe is no longer restricted by time or space. From a group of like minded people, a tribe of dedicated followers will emerge. Any group of dedicated individuals can join the cause from anywhere in the world.

OK now what is TribeCamp?

Tribes of the Mid-South and beyond are invited to join us in Memphis to learn from each other, have concentrated meetings of their with their tribal members or mix with other tribes. You’ll even learn about the tools that are enabling and empowering other tribes to get going. Whether you are part of a tribe or looking to learn as an objective observer this will be a unique experience guaranteed.

How will TribeCamp Work?

Let’s begin by deciding what TribeCamp, most definitely, is not. TribeCamp is not every other tech conference you’ve ever been to. The ones with cold coffee and colder speakers discussing topics that have been decided, possibly months in advance, with little or no audience input. It is not something you go to planning to sit still, look straight ahead, and try not to cough… or snore. It is THE un-conference.

TribeCamp is interactive and user-generated. There are pre-chosen topics interspersed throughout the day to help start things off. After that, it’s all up to you and the tribes you bring. Anyone and everyone who comes to TribeCamp can come with a topic in hand, prepared to share it with their fellow Campers and Tribe Members. When it’s time to begin, you get to vote on exactly you want to hear that day. The result is the most relevant, informative, and interesting tech conference possible for you, today. Said simply, TribeCamp becomes exactly what you want it to be.

TribeCamp will have rooms set aside for open discussion on the topics that matter to you most (i.e. the ones you choose). There will be panel discussions throughout the day on those subjects where two (or more) heads are better than one. Even the traditional presentations are more exciting when you get to pick them yourself.

For much more information: http://www.tribecamp.com/

for tickets: http://tribecamp.eventbrite.com/

Bootstrapping Bootcamp. Saturday, April 3

Bootstrapping: a collection of methods used to minimize the amount of outside debt and equity financing needed from banks and investors.

Over the course of one day, LaunchMemphis will give you all the tools you need to successfully bootstrap your business idea. We’ll instruct you in an intense one-day seminar on how to get a business plan together and launched in 5 days at low or no cost. Knowledgable presenters, informative discussions, and valuable one on one feedback from experienced entrepreneurs await you at our upcoming bootcamp!

Itinerary
830am-9am -Breakfast/Coffee/Network
9am-11am -Business Plan Development
11:15am-11:30am -Break
11:30am-12:30pm -Guerrilla Marketing/Advertising
12:30pm-1:30pm -Lunch with Ad Hoc Feedback on Business/Business Model
1:30pm-2:30pm -Using social media on a budget
2:30pm-3:30pm -Bootstrapping Practices and Useful Resources
3:30pm-4pm -Ad Hoc One-on-One Feedback

Lunch and materials are included.

For more information:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/event.php?eid=323009639812&ref=ts

http://bootcampmem.eventbrite.com/

info@launchmemphis.com

LaunchMemphis
www.launchmemphis.com

Startup Overnight with 48 Hour Launch Weekend

How fast can you get your new business started up? With 48 Hour Launch, it can be a matter of hours from concept to commercial prototype, corporate ID package, website, business plan, market research, and much more. The community of dedicated participants that attend this intense and fun entrepreneurship event provide the man power to make startups a reality.

48 Hour Launch is one of the most powerful and unique entrepreneurship programs in the country. It promotes the development of local economies and the implementation of innovative ideas with new launched startups. Simply put, creative individuals from all industries unite their talent in one location to launch new enterprises in a 48 hour period.

All your food, drink, wifi, and other needs are met by organizers. All you need to do is bring your brain (and a coffee mug and/or laptop). We take care of the rest while you take care of the startups.

Bring your own idea to launch or lend your expertise to another idea. It all begins on Friday 6pm at EmergeMemphis.

Grab your ticket here: http://48hour.eventbrite.com

Contact us if you have any questions: info (at) launchmemphis dot com

Special thanks goes to our sponsors: Center City Commission, Red Bull, Rendezvous, and Mouse Foundry Media.

LaunchMemphis 2010 Spring Schedule

This is the LaunchMemphis Spring 2010 Schedule. We are excited to have another great season of events that promote innovation and entrepreneurial action. Get involved as often as possible and help us LaunchMemphis!

48 Hour Launch Pitch Night
Time and Date: Feb 25th, 5:30pm
Location: EmergeMemphis
RSVP Here via Facebook: http://bit.ly/c5pt0n
A chance to pitch your idea a week before the actual 48 Hour Launch weekend.

48 Hour Launch
Time and Date: March 5th, 6pm through March 7th, 6pm
Location: EmergeMemphis
Ticketing (note the Early Bird discounts): http://48hour.eventbrite.com/
48Hour Launch is one of the most powerful and unique entrepreneurship programs in the country. At 48 Hour Launch events creative individuals from all industries unite their talent in one location to launch new enterprises in a 48-hour period. The initiative, founded in 2009 in Tennessee, has attracted international attention, with many cities across North America planning on hosting 48 Hour Launch experiences in their cities.

Business Plan Boot Strapping Bootcamp
Time and Date: Saturday April 3rd, 8:30am to 4:30pm
Location: EmergeMemphis
Ticketing (note the Early Bird discounts): http://bootcampmem.eventbrite.com/
We have retooled our Business Plan Bootcamp to have an even bigger impact — we’ll instruct you in an intense one-day seminar on how to get a business plan together and launched in 5 days at low or no cost. LaunchMemphis will teach you the skillful art of bootstrapping in the modern era. Get ready for jam-packed day with knowledge, information, and feedback.

TribeCamp
Time and Date: April 24th, 8:00am-4pm
Location: TBD
Ticketing (note the Early Bird discounts): http://tribecamp.eventbrite.com/
TribeCamp is interactive and user-generated — it is like BarCamp and Social Camp in that it is an Unconference. Thanks to the internet, and the immediacy of modern communications, a tribe is no longer restricted by time or space. From a group of like minded people, a tribe of dedicated followers will emerge. Any group of dedicated individuals can join the cause from anywhere in the world. Tribes of the Mid-South and beyond are invited to join us in Memphis to learn from each other, have concentrated meetings of their with their tribal members or mix with other tribes. You’ll even learn about the tools that are enabling and empowering other tribes to get going. Whether you are part of a tribe or looking to learn as an objective observer this will be a unique experience guaranteed.

TribeCamp will take place at the Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering. The venue is located at:
1254 Jefferson Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104

48 Hour Launch Reunion
Time and Date: June 24th, 5:30pm
Location: EmergeMemphis

Memphis Startup TV Launch
Time and Date: TBD
Location: TBD
A series of webisodes aimed at the entrepreneurial rock stars in Memphis. Produced in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce and Center City Commission.

Memphis 48 Hour Launch T-Shirt

IBM Small and Medium Enterprise Tool Kit…

LaunchMemphis is busy tying up loose ends at the end of the year and finalizing the schedule for 2010, however, we wanted to make you aware of a great set of resources from IBM.

“The SME Toolkit, brought to you by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and IBM is designed especially for Asian, Black, Hispanic, Native American and Women-owned businesses with essential business tools. Whether you have five minutes or five hours, you can find the tools, content, resources, advice, mentoring and more to serve your needs.”

There are great links to a vast array of topics, including: Accounting & Finance, Marketing & Sales, and Business Planning, to name a few.

Please follow the link here.

We hope 2009 was a great year for you and that 2010 is even better!

Thanks for helping LaunchMemphis! We are truly grateful for all your support.

Escalator Pitch Competition on November 21st!

LaunchMemphis is pleased to present the first ever Escalator Pitch Competition on Saturday, November 21st with a prize package valued at over $10K!

What: The LaunchMemphis Escalator Pitch Competition is a new twist on the elevator pitch idea. Each finalist will ride up an escalator with a judge to deliver a brief and relevant pitch about their company. Eight contestants have already been selected via a contest on You Tube. Three additional walk-on contestants will be selected before the finals begin and anyone representing a company with 25 or fewer employees is eligible to compete! The grand prize winner will be selected by the judges once all 11 finalists have competed.

Where: Holiday Inn, University of Memphis, 3700 Central Avenue. The University of Memphis Holiday Inn has won the Torchbearer Award for seven consecutive years for excellence in customer satisfaction among Holiday Inns.

When:  Saturday, November 21, 2009, from 11:00 am. To 12:30 pm. All contestants (both walk-on and those selected via the You Tube contest) should arrive for registration at 10:30 am sharp!

Cost:  $20 Entry Fee for walk-on contestants – cash only. Those selected from You Tube Contest have already paid their fees. No advanced registration required for walk-on competition. Simply arrive at 10:30 am the day of the event to register.

Prize Package: Contestants will compete to win a $10,000 marketing package including a $1,000 cash prize. The prize package includes:

• Marketing Research from the Marketing & Research Counsel
• Logo/ Identity/ Print Design  from Second to Nunn Design
• Web Design and Internet Marketing from Valeo Design & Marketing
• Public Relations from Obsidian Public Relations
• Marketing and/or Sales Coaching from RedRover Sales & Marketing
• Photography from Merrick Photography
• Event Planning Consultation from Main Events
• Cash prize compliments of LaunchMemphis and EmergeMemphis
  

Event Sponsors: EmergeMemphis (www.emergememphis.org), Holiday Inn (University of Memphis) ( http://www.memphis.com/holiday-inn-university/), and the Sales & Marketing Society of the Mid-South (www.sms-midsouth.org).

Keynote Speaker: Dan Marks, Chief Marketing Officer, First Horizon National Corporation/First Tennessee Bank

Questions: Contact Lynda Hobbs at 901.266.2662.

Fall 2009 Season of Entrepreneurship

This is the Fall 2009 Schedule for LaunchMemphis. In keeping with our goal to support entrepreneurial action in the Mid-South, we have a unique set of events planned – a combination you won’t get anywhere else. We hope you will join us in growing a rich community and building new business ventures.

This Fall Note that Global Entrepreneurship Week is November 16th through 22nd and we will have a series of concentrated events together with other entrepreneurship support organizations in our city.

Boot Camp: Build and Refine Your Business Plan
August 15th, 2009 and August 22nd, 2009
Location: EmergeMemphis
For more information: http://www.launchmemphis.com/2009/07/21/launchmemphis-bootcamp-august-15-22/
For registration: http://bootcamp2009.eventbrite.com/
The LaunchMemphis Boot Camp is an intense, two session course in entrepreneurship that will dramatically boost your chances of seeing your dream become a reality. Professionals will offer advice on all aspects of starting, successfully running, and gaining funding for your new venture. Join us at EmergeMemphis for two exciting days that will answer all your questions and put you on the right track for success in whatever business you are trying to start!

Startup Weekend Reunion
August 27th, 2009 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Location: EmergeMemphis, 516 Tennessee Street, Memphis, TN 38103
Tickets and Information: http://suwmem2reunion.eventbrite.com/
This is a chance for past participants of StartUp Weekend I & II to mix, mingle and hear updates on ideas generated during SUW. Expect updates from: The Roll Play, Mark’s Menus, Rezzie, GameWav Media, and CheezyWeezy. Others in the community are welcome to attend to learn more about Startup Weekend and get connected.

SocialCamp Memphis ( Tag: #SocialMEM )
Evening of September 18th and the day of September 19th, 2009
Location: Memphis Academy of Science and Engineerings
Information: http://www.socialcampmemphis.com/
Tickets: http://socialmem.eventbrite.com/
SocialDevCamp, like BarCamp, is an un-conference; An open format event where programmers, designers and business owners can network and learn. A SocialDevCamp conference is unlike any other technology conference. Rather than being planned by a committee in advance, each community works together to create its own event. A SocialDevCamp generally has an underlying theme, but the individual topics and sessions are organized shortly before or even at the event. This enables SocialDevCamp to be much more than targeted to the needs of the community.

Escalator Pitch Workshop
When: Saturday, 10/24, 9:30-12:00
Where: EmergeMemphis, 516 Tennessee Street
What: Training on how to develop a “Dynamic Escalator Pitch,” followed by development of your own pitch, role playing of that pitch with a small group, and one-on-one feedback from a member of the LaunchMemphis Board.
Cost: $25 per person (lunch included)
RSVP: Through http://pitchworkshop.eventbrite.com/ (note that seating is limited to 48 people).
Note: The workshop will focus on helping you craft a pitch to be used in attracting prospective customers which in many cases varies from the pitch you’d use to attract investors. LaunchMemphis will offer an Investor Pitch Workshop next season.
Sign up for the October 24 Escalator Pitch Workshop today, before it’s too late. Only 48 tickets will be sold! And with a price point of just $25 which includes lunch, you’ll want to act fast.

Escalator Pitch Competition
To enter the competition, simply create a 30-60 second video of your escalator pitch. Post it onto You Tube. Then register for the event by clicking on the following link, where you’ll be asked to provide the URL where you posted your video. The cost for entry is $20. Deadline is Friday November 6.

Click here to register today! http://escalatorpitch.eventbrite.com/
The competition is open to all businesses with fewer than 25 employees. There will be seven finalists selected from the YOU TUBE videos submitted. Also, three at-large finanlists will be chosen from those who walk in the day of the competition. Each finalist will ride up an escalator with a judge to deliver a brief and relevant pitch about their company. The winner will be chosen by the judges.
The $10K prize package includes consulting packages from area sales and marketing specialists, as outlined below, as well as $1000 cash!

* Marketing & Research Counsel – marketing research package (10 hours of consultation)
* Second to Nunn Design – logo/identity/print design package (10 hours of design work)
* Valeo Design & Marketing – web design and internet marketing package (10 hours of web design and/or internet marketing consultation)
* Obsidian Public Relations – public relations package (10 hours of PR consultation)
* RedRover Sales & Marketing – marketing and sales coaching package (10 hours of marketing consultation and/or sales training/coaching)
* Merrick Photography – photography package
* Main Events – event planning package (10 hours of event consultation)Nervous about competing? Here’s the entrepreneurial philosophy; whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t, you are absolutely right! So, take a risk and don’t miss this opportunity because you have too much to lose!Questions? Contact Lynda Hobbs at 901-266-2662.

BarCamp

Evening of November 13th and the day of November 14th, 2008
Location: Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering
Ticketing: http://barcampmemphis2.eventbrite.com/
BarCamp is an un-conference; An open format event where programmers, designers and business owners can network and learn. A BarCamp conference is unlike any other technology conference. Rather than being planned by a committee in advance, each community works together to create its own event. A BarCamp generally has an underlying theme, but the individual topics and sessions are organized shortly before or even at the event. This enables BarCamp to be much more than targeted to the needs of the community.

Global Entrepreneurship Week November 16-22 — LaunchMemphis has scheduled an exciting week of activities to celebrate entrepreneurship throughout the city with our sister organizations.

TechFuel: Global Entrepreneurship Week 2009

November 17th, 2009, 5:30pm-7:30pm

Inspired by other networking events occurring across the country like Tech Cocktail, the LaunchMemphis TechFuel is designed for technologists, entrepreneurs, media (bloggers), and other business professionals to meet, and share ideas in a fun and open atmosphere. The event is open to the public. With the LaunchMemphis TechFuel we hope to see the Memphis tech community better connected.

Core Conversations on Entrepreneurship

Event Date: November 20, 2009
Location: Folk’s Folly, 551 S Mendenhall Rd, Memphis, TN 38117
Tickets: http://coreconversation.eventbrite.com/
In celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week, The Society of Entrepreneurs and LaunchMemphis are hosting this exciting Networking Event. Reservations will be made to sit at a table based on interest and industry. Tables will be hosted by members of The Society of Entrepreneurs. Look for reservation information in your inbox or email info@launchmemphis.com.

Escalator Pitch Competition

When: Saturday, November 21, tentatively scheduled for 10:30 am - 12:30 pm, final time to be announced soon
What:Competition for a prize package worth $10K! Prize package made up of consulting packages from area sales and marketing specialists (e.g., market research, logo/identity design, web design, sales coaching, public relations, photography, media). $1K of the package will be awarded in cash.
Where:To be announced soon
Cost: $20 per person for walk-ons; those submitting You Tube videos would have already paid
RSVP: None needed; walk-ons will be asked to register when they arrive

Announcing the 2009 Escalator Pitch Competition

Announcing the 2009 Escalator Pitch Competition

LaunchMemphis is pleased to announce a new competition aimed at developing and perfecting your “escalator pitch” — a modern twist on the elevator pitch idea. Whether you already have a business or just have an idea for one, articulating your idea is key to gaining customers. Not only will this competition help strengthen your pitch and improve sales, but you’ll also have the chance to win a prize package valued at over $10K!To enter the competition, simply create a 30-60 second video of your escalator pitch. Post it onto You Tube. Then register for the event by clicking on the following link, where you’ll be asked to provide the URL where you posted your video. The cost for entry is $20.

Click here to register today! http://escalatorpitch.eventbrite.com/

The competition is open to all businesses with fewer than 25 employees. There will be seven finalists selected from the YOU TUBE videos submitted. Also, three at-large finanlists will be chosen from those who walk in the day of the competition. Each finalist will ride up an escalator with a judge to deliver a brief and relevant pitch about their company. The winner will be chosen by the judges.

The $10K prize package includes consulting packages from area sales and marketing specialists, as outlined below, as well as $1000 cash!

• Marketing & Research Counsel – marketing research package (10 hours of consultation)
• Second to Nunn Design – logo/identity/print design package (10 hours of design work)
• Valeo Design & Marketing – web design and internet marketing package (10 hours of web design and/or internet marketing consultation)
• Obsidian Public Relations – public relations package (10 hours of PR consultation)
• RedRover Sales & Marketing – marketing and sales coaching package (10 hours of marketing consultation and/or sales training/coaching)
• Merrick Photography – photography package
• Main Events – event planning package (10 hours of event consultation)
  

Nervous about competing? Here’s the entrepreneurial philosophy; whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t, you are absolutely right! So, take a risk and don’t miss this opportunity because you have too much to lose!

Questions? Contact Lynda Hobbs at 901-266-2662.