Start Co.

09/02/2026

What will it take for Memphis to turn more entrepreneurial activity into scalable companies, stronger firms, and real job creation?

Start Co. President Andre Fowlkes is taking that question to the stage at DelTech 2026.

Drawing from the Urban Institute’s recent report on entrepreneurship in Shelby County, Andre will break down three areas where Memphis businesses and economic development organizations can improve our competitiveness nationally:
• Incorporation and the innovation continuum
• Helping firms reach greater operational scale and commercialization
• Open-logic corporate innovation for greater job creation and business expansion

The data points to real gaps we need to address. Tennessee ranks last nationally in the incorporated share of firms, and improving our economic performance requires more than simply starting more businesses. We need an economic value-delivery system that puts innovation, scalability, capital formation, and competitiveness first.

We’re proud to have Andre representing Start Co. at DelTech 2026 and advancing this important conversation about the future of the Memphis economy.

Grab a ticket and learn more in the comments.

08/29/2026

Downtown Memphis has always been built by people willing to adapt, reinvent, and keep moving.

Join us on September 8 from 5:00–7:00 PM at Barware for a Catalyst30 fireside chat with Deni Reilly of The Majestic Grille and Cocozza.

Deni will share what it took to navigate COVID, why new ideas and reinvention became essential, and what other entrepreneurs and business leaders can learn from that experience.

We’ll also bring together downtown businesses, aspiring talent, and partners across Memphis’ innovation ecosystem for an evening of conversation and connection.

This is what Catalyst30 is about: creating a downtown environment where entrepreneurs can start, grow, experiment, and help shape the future of our urban core.

If you are building a business, leading one, or care about the future of Downtown Memphis, join us.

Link in the comments to register.

08/24/2026

Too many businesses spend time talking about problems without creating a disciplined path to solve them.

On August 29, we’re hosting a Problem Solution Design Sprint at Epicenter in Memphis for business leaders, entrepreneurs, and teams who have a real challenge or opportunity they want to move forward.

This is not a three-hour lecture.

It is a working session designed to help you:
-Define the problem or opportunity that actually matters
-Bring your experience and vision into the solution
-Evaluate the potential market opportunity
-Identify assumptions that need to be tested
-Turn ideas into clear, actionable next steps

You can bring a challenge inside an existing business, a new growth opportunity, or an entirely new business idea. The goal is the same: leave with greater clarity about what to do next and how to start executing.

Problem Solution Design Sprint
August 29 | 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Epicenter | 150 Peabody Place, Memphis

If your business has a problem worth solving or an opportunity worth pursuing, bring it into the room.

Businesses and business leaders: sign up and put three focused hours against something that could materially move your organization forward.

Link in the comments to register.

02/15/2026

Strong companies are built deliberately. They do not emerge by accident.

Start Co. is currently running the **Virtual Entrepreneurship Series 2026**, a six-part leadership and sales program designed to help founders build scalable organizations and repeatable revenue engines.

This is a multi-state program funded by Empower California and open to qualified entrepreneurs in:

Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.

We kicked off on February 11, but it is not too late to join the remaining sessions.

Over the next sessions, founders will learn how to:

• Strengthen organizational structure and culture
• Establish governance and board discipline
• Validate and sharpen their “sell”
• Modernize their sales funnel
• Scale with financial clarity and operating discipline

The program is fully funded. There is no cost for qualified participants.

Registration and completion of the intake form are required to determine eligibility.

If you know founders in any of these states who are serious about building durable companies, send this to them.

Apply here: https://docsend.com/view/nzezmimqs34uzgiw

10/31/2025

Calling All Startups!
ONE WEEK LEFT TO APPLY for SXSW Pitch 2026 — one of the world’s premier showcases for innovative technology and disruptive ideas.

This is your chance to:

Pitch in front of top-tier investors, media, and industry leaders

Gain unmatched visibility on a global stage

Join an alumni network of companies that have collectively raised $22B+

Don’t miss it — apply now:

SXSW Pitch showcases innovative new technology to a panel of industry experts, high-profile media professionals, and venture capital and angel investors.

10/22/2025

Calling all data, tech & design pros in ! Join us for the City Hackathon 🧑‍💻 Nov 7-9 at UofMemphis FedEx Institute! Innovate solutions for our city & network with local experts and peers. Register! 👉 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/city-hackathon-2025-tickets-1652905387509
hashtag

This is the official registration page to join a hacker team during the 2025 City of Memphis Hackathon Friday, Nov. 7 - Sunday, Nov. 9

09/09/2025

Apply to the competition today! Apply by the first deadline on Friday, September 12, for a discounted application fee of $100 https://www.sxsw.com/pitch/

08/27/2025

Sales isn’t just about closing deals – it’s about building trust, solving problems, and creating value.

On Wednesday, September 4th (12–1 PM CST), join us for an interactive session led by Andre Fowlkes, where we’ll demystify the sales process and explore how to:

Identify the right customers

Design a sales process that works for your business

Develop outreach strategies that feel authentic

Turn conversations into conversions

Whether you’re making your first sale or scaling your efforts, this session will give you the mindset and tools to grow your revenue sustainably.

📅 Date: September 4, 2026
⏰ Time: 12–1 PM CST
🎤 Hosted by: Andre Fowlkes

👉 Register Here: https://jazpqjuxujz.typeform.com/to/IB2rJOpp

This session is part of The Entrepreneur’s Journey Program, equipping founders and business leaders with the tools to thrive.

08/13/2025

Sky High Entrepreneurship Series Session 2:
CRAFTING PITCHES THAT CLARIFY AND COMPEL

We will explore how you can leverage the pitching process to elevate your business strategy.

Whether preparing for client meetings, seeking investments, or showcasing to the community, a concise and captivating pitch can sharpen your message and illuminate your business's unique attributes.

In this session, you will learn how to distill your business to its essence, communicate with confidence, and tailor your pitch to diverse audiences.

The focus is on enhancing clarity as a founder, with practical frameworks and real-life examples to help structure your ideas and find your authentic voice. Discover strategies to avoid common pitching mistakes and leave a lasting impression in various environments.

This session seamlessly integrates with the Entrepreneur’s Journey Program, featuring a dedicated module on pitch development. Enrolled participants will access tools for refining their messaging, while newcomers are warmly invited to join and kickstart their entrepreneurial journey.

🌟 SESSION 2: CRAFTING PITCHES THAT CLARIFY AND COMPEL
👤 HOSTED AND LED BY Eric Mathews
🗓️ DATE: 8/21/25
🕛 TIME: 12PM - 1PM CST

🔗 REGISTER HERE: https://calendly.com/ryanram/sky-high-entrepreneurs-journey-session-2?month=2025-08&date=2025-08-21

07/22/2025

Start Co. is partnering with the More For Memphis effort to launch targeted entrepreneurial support in South Memphis.

We’re starting with virtual workshops to engage local entrepreneurs and small businesses. From there, we’ll build momentum toward a full accelerator program later this year, alongside community-based social events.

Our focus includes:

--Main Street and small businesses

--Innovation entrepreneurs

--Music industry ventures

--Social enterprises

Over the next 12 months, you’ll see the rollout of: Sky High Sessions, Accelerators, Office Hours, and Events — all designed to help entrepreneurs grow through better structure, marketing, customer development, and investor readiness.

If you know someone building in South Memphis, send them our way.

Here is the Registration Link: https://jazpqjuxujz.typeform.com/to/YG2yAFFe

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