Memphis Business Journal: Memphis Startup Weekend a go for May 30
Memphis Startup Weekend was recently covered by the Memphis Business Journal
Memphis Business Journal
Thursday, May 22, 2008
100 technology entrepreneurs will meet in Memphis May 30-June 1 for the city’s first Startup Weekend, during which they will create a start-up company from scratch.
Startup Weekend will take place at business incubator EmergeMemphis for 54 hours and will host developers, business managers, start-up enthusiasts, marketing professionals and graphic artists.
By the end of the weekend, a viable business will be built, a management team will be appointed and each participant will own a piece of the company, according to organizing group LaunchMemphis.
Startup Weekend is the brainchild of Andrew Hyde, who kicked it off in Boulder, Colo., last year. The program has run in several cities in North America and Europe.
600 people were involved in bringing Startup Weekend to Memphis.
“We are really inspired by the amount of support Startup Weekend has received from local entrepreneurs, startups and established businesses,” said Gwin Scott, president of EmergeMemphis, in a statement. “This support really says something about Memphis as a hub of innovation, entrepreneurship and technology advancement.”
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Calling All Angels *
When we began forming LaunchMemphis, one of the things that we discussed quite a bit was what the demand for events really was. We felt there was a ground swell desire to enliven and engage the Memphis entrepreneurial community, but were pleasantly surprised with the flurry of activity around the LaunchMemphis events. Now that we have received more than 34 applications for the investment forum, we are certain that we were right in believing that there was (and is) a need for what we are doing. There has also been incredible support from the institutional investors in the area; many of these firms have agreed to make time for the investment forum and listen to the companies we have managed to pull together. And, of course, we greatly appreciate all those that have applied to the investment forums.
All of these things have exceeded our expectations, and we are incredibly thrilled.! But the one thing that has been noticeably absent is the involvement of “Angel” investors. Angels are those individuals and groups that have the resources to invest in small companies. They are the critical cog in the machine that is necessary to allow companies that start in Memphis to stay in Memphis. When you look at Silicon Valley, Washington, DC, Austin, TX, and other places with strong startup environments, it is the angels that enable many companies to get over the chasm**.
So, to all the angel investors and potential angel investors in Memphis, please contact us (forum@launchmemphis.com). Hopefully, we’ve reached you through other channels, but if not please join us. We are seeing amazing things here in Memphis through the networking events and the investment forum, and we want to make sure that the wonderful entrepreneurs that we have met have a chance to show you the ideas that they believe in and are working so hard to make a reality. We also want to engage in a discussion around how best to leverage the resources of the many wealthy individuals in the area to create an investment opportunity that is more accessible. So, let’s talk.
* Apologies to Train for borrowing the title of their song of the same name, copyright 2003.
** Moore, Geoffrey A. Crossing the Chasm. Harper Business. 1991.
Commercial Appeal Coffee Break Section: “Looking for Entrepreneurs”
The LaunchMemphis Early Stage Investment Forum was recently featured in the Commercial Appeal.
Commercial Appeal — Coffee Break Section
May 17, 2008
Looking for Entrepreneurs
Got the entrepreneurial spirit? Or maybe need a little help taking your business to the next level?
If so, LaunchMemphis is looking for you.
The recently formed organization of Memphis business leaders is dedicated to growing the entrepreneurial community. To forward that mission, the group will host a forum on June 9 at the University of Memphis that will pair entrepreneurs and small business owners with potential investors.
The program is geared toward entrepreneurs who need funding assistance and small firms with high growth potential. Investors include Innova Memphis and the Mercury Alpha Fund by Mercury Technology Labs.
The forum is free, but application deadline is Tuesday. For more information, visit online at launchmemphis.com
Developing the Launch Ramp to the Future
As we have talked with entrepreneurs and investors over the past couple of months, one theme comes up quite often. It’s often subtle, but the essence is “This isn’t Silicon Valley. What do you hope to achieve?” The answers, respectively, are “nope–it’s not” and “a lot.”
What we are striving to achieve through the networking events, speaker series, Startup Weekend, and (most directly) the investment forums is a ramp. A ramp that will allow a person with an idea and talent to launch a business. For this ramp to work, we have to make sure that those with capital can connect to those with the ideas. This includes the whole range of investment, from small loans and financing to Angel investors to institutional investors. This ramp needs to allow institutional investors be on the front row as companies develop from ideas to outstanding investment opportunities. The ramp needs to include resources for young companies, such as those provided by EmergeMemphis and BioWorks. When this ramp is in place, talent will remain in Memphis, and the investment rewards will also reside in Memphis, providing a powerful multi-faceted attack on some of the issues we have in the city.
Optimistic? Sure. A big goal? Yep. Going to happen tomorrow? Nope. But, we believe it can. It requires the work of multiple organizations–we applaud the activities of BioWorks and Memphis Fast Forward, and we know that what we are doing is only a part of the overall puzzle. It’s going to take work. And it’s going to be worth it.
Hopefully you are wondering what you can do to be a part of making this happen, so here are some thoughts:
Entrepreneurs (a.k.a., anyone with an idea they believe in): Participate in the various LaunchMemphis events and talk to us about participating in the Investment Forum. Get to know others involved in LaunchMemphis and maybe find a partner or an investor who can help you turn your dream into reality.
Angel Investors (a.k.a., those with money to invest): Let us know you are interested in attending the Investment Forum and/or the types of companies you would be interested in investing in. We’ve heard some very interesting ideas and concepts recently, and we want you to have a chance to hear them and help make them a reality.
Businesses (a.k.a., those with resources and an interest in the health of Memphis): Help us by sponsoring some events. Help spread the word to employees and contacts to participate. We had a lot of very talented people come together at Tech Fuel.
Institutional Investors (a.k.a., smart people with resources to help companies): Participate in the Investment Forum. Talk to us about what you think we could do to make sure you can find great ideas in your own back yard now or in the future. Let us know of interesting concepts, trends, and companies in the area that we may not have heard of.
Finally, a big thank-you to all those who attended the networking event last week. It was great to see that there are so many people who want to see great things happen and who are willing to be part of the effort to make it happen.
LaunchMemphis events will build up ties among entrepreneurs
LaunchMemphis was recently featured in the Commercial Appeal. Read more here.
Commercial Appeal
LaunchMemphis events will build up ties among entrepreneurs
By Daniel Connolly
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
If you’ve recently started a company in technology or biosciences — or you’re just thinking about it — you’re the target audience for LaunchMemphis, a series of networking and educational events that starts this week.
The events are meant to build up social links among tech and science entrepreneurs in the area. The key organizers are Eric Matthews and Marc Diaz, principals with Mercury Technology Labs LLC, a relatively new company that helps scientists and researchers turn their ideas into working firms.
The pair have attracted a wide range of sponsors and collaborators, including EmergeMemphis, an organization that provides office space and other support to small businesses, and the Memphis Bioworks Foundation, a nonprofit that promotes the development of science-based industry.
The highlight of the LaunchMemphis series is Startup Weekend, which comes at the end of this month.
Dozens of people are scheduled to gather at the FedEx Institute of Technology to create a real company in 54 hours.
Participants in the event will make a short pitch for their ideas before the group picks one and starts working on it.
Everyone from lawyers to Web developers will offer input as a facilitator tries to keep the process running smoothly, Diaz and Matthews said.
The organization is accepting 100 people, and 20 slots were still open as of Monday. Those interested may register online at launchmemphis.com or startupweekend.com. A $40 fee covers food and supplies.
The event will be run by Startup Weekend LLC, a new company based in Fort Wayne, Ind., that has organized similar events in cities including New York and Seattle.
The principals with Mercury say the event is meant to educate participants and forge connections among local entrepreneurs. Creating an actual company may be more difficult.
“Every business is risky, and I would be pleasantly surprised if this created a viable business,” Diaz said.
Several events will come before and after Startup Weekend. The first, a networking party, is scheduled for Thursday at the Fox & Hound restaurant in East Memphis.
The post-weekend highlight is an investor forum on June 9, where entrepreneurs will have a chance to present their work to venture capitalists and private investors.
Contact Daniel Connolly at 529-5296.
LaunchMemphis events
5 p.m.-7 p.m. Thursday: LaunchMemphis kick-off networking event. Fox & Hound, 5101 Sanderlin Ave.
11:30 a.m., May 13: Networking session and talk by the University of Memphis’ Kevin Boggs on using university research to form companies. Memphis Bioworks Foundation, 20 S. Dudley. RSVP to Courdria Pointer: cpointer@memphisbioworks.org or 448-2799. Lunch is $5.
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. May 22: Startup Weekend participant gathering. People registered for startup weekend have a chance to meet each other in advance. FedEx Institute of Technology at the University of Memphis, 365 Innovation Drive.
May 30-31 and June 1: Startup weekend at the FedEx Institute of Technology.
June 9: Early stage investment forum. Young businesses have a chance to meet with early stage venture capital firms and private investors. FedEx Institute of Technology. Online registration required at launchmemphis.com.
June 14: One-day intensive session to turn business ideas into business plans. Mercury Launchpad at Emerge Memphis. 516 Tennessee St. To register, contact chris@mercurylaunchpad.com.
For more information, call Lori Turner at 266-2662or visit launchmemphis.com or startupweekend.com
© 2008 Scripps Newspaper Group — Online
Commercial Appeal Coffee Break Section: “Fill up on ‘TechFuel’”
The Commercial Appeal recently reported on our upcoming networking event.
Commercial Appeal — Coffee Break Section
May 1, 2008Fill up on ‘TechFuel’
“TechFuel,” an idea-sharing and networking event for businesspeople, entrepreneurs and technologists, is set for 5-7 p.m. May 8 at the Fox and Hound, 5101 Sanderlin.
The event is sponsored by LaunchMemphis, recently established by area business leaders to promote entrepreneurship. Get details at launchmemphis.com.
Memphis Business Journal: LaunchMemphis seeks to match investors with local entrepreneurs
LaunchMemphis Early Stage Investment Forum was recently featured in the Memphis Business Journal.
Friday, May 2, 2008
LaunchMemphis seeks to match investors with local entrepreneurs
Memphis Business Journal - by Einat Paz-Frankel Staff writer
There’s talent and money in Memphis, but they don’t always meet.
LaunchMemphis, a group of local technology leaders, aims to change that by connecting investors to startup companies and Memphis entrepreneurs. The group says many local venture capitalists invest in companies outside Memphis, which is part of the reason why many brilliant ideas born in Memphis never make it to market.
In a series of events starting May 8, LaunchMemphis will attempt to engage both entrepreneurs and investors in advancing technology locally.
“When growing a successful science or a technology-based company, you can find the right ingredients within the grassroots infrastructure of LaunchMemphis,” says venture capitalist Eric Mathews, principal of Mercury Technology Labs LLC, who co-created LaunchMemphis with attorney Harry Brown. “From finding a new management team member to tracking down funding, the events organized can help entrepreneurs take their idea from the back of a napkin to the next level.”
The most significant event for those entrepreneurs seeking funding, the LaunchMemphis Early Stage Investment Forum, will take place June 9 at the University of Memphis FedEx Institute of Technology. Applications for funding — or, rather, for the opportunity to pitch your idea to investors at the forum — will be accepted through May 16.
Lori Turner, managing partner at The RedRover Co. and one of the founders of LaunchMemphis, says there are two types of applications: One is for seed funding of under $100,000, intended for entrepreneurs who “literally have an idea on a napkin or a very sketchy idea”; the second track will focus on more advanced ventures of more than $500,000 and is intended for companies with a solid prototype.
About 12 investors have already signed up for the forum.
“It’s not for all entrepreneurs, it’s not for the beauty salon down the street,” she says. “While Memphis needs all kinds of entrepreneurs, our niche is science and technology startups.”LaunchMemphis
Entrepreneurial consortium
Address: 516 Tennessee, Suite 133
Web site: www.launchmemphis.com
ep@bizjournals.com | 259-1764
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