LaunchMemphis is moving forward with a series of events to stimulate entrepreneurship in the Mid-South. We hope you will join us in growing a rich startup community and building new business ventures.
LaunchMemphis Kick-off: Tech Fuel Technology and Startup Networking Event
May 8th, 2008, 5pm-7pm
Location: Fox and Hound (5101 Sanderlin Ave)
Sponsors: Pending
Inspired by other networking events occurring across the country like Tech Cocktail, the LaunchMemphis Kick-off 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 Kick-off we hope to see the Memphis tech community better connected. These networking events we hope to continue quarterly.
Innova/Bioworks LaunchLunch with Speaker Dr. Kevin Boggs on Technology Transfer Spin-Off Companies
May 13th, 2008, 11:30am Networking begins, 12:00pm Program begins
Location: Bioworks
Sponsors: Innova
RSVP if Attending to Courdria Pointer — cpointer@memphisbioworks.org
The purpose of this program is to connect audience members with others drawn to a speaker by similar interests, while providing the benefits of an educational forum on a critical topic.
Startup Weekend Participant Gathering in conjunction with FedEx Institute
May 22nd, 2008, 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Location: FedEx Institute of Technology
Sponsors: FedEx Institute of Technology, Boscos Beer
For the those participants that have registered for Startup Weekend in Memphis, this event will provide an opportunity for the founders to network and get familiar with knowledge, skills, and backgrounds of fellow founders. This is to directly address prior weaknesses that prior Startup Weekend cities have cited.
Startup Weekend Memphis: Build Community and a Company in a Weekend
May 30th, May 31st, and June 1st, 2008, (6pm Friday Start)
Location: EmergeMemphis and Mercury Launchpad
Sponsors: Memphis Regional Chamber, Center City Commission, Cadre5, Flying Circle, Baker Donelson, Naked Lion Brewing Company, Starbucks, Domino’s Pizza, Neely’s BBQ
Startup Weekend recruits a highly motivated group of technologists and entrepreneurs to build a community and company in a weekend. These motivated individuals come together as company founders to decide what to make and earn an equal share of stock in the developed business. Attendees are responsible for bringing the desire and passion to the project and walk out of the room with a brand new business, in a short 54 hours. Startup Weekend is a national program that has selected Memphis, TN as one of the cities it will visit this year (for more information visit www.startupweekend.com).
LaunchMemphis Early Stage Investment Forum
June 9th, 2008
Location: FedEx Institute of Technology
Sponsors: Innova, Mercury Technology Labs, FedEx Institute of Technology
Raising capital for a startup is without question one of the most challenging aspects of growing a business. We hope to alleviate some this pain through a venture forum where new and emerging businesses are brought together with early stage venture capital firms and angel investors. If you have a business in the pre-seed or early stage seed or angel stage, this is your chance to pitch investors. Alternatively, if you are an investor looking for up and coming companies in and around Memphis, we invite you to join the forum. This venture forum is exclusively for Mid-South startup companies. Investors have committed including Innova Memphis and the Mercury Alpha Fund by Mercury Technology Labs, among many others.
Boot Camp: Intensive Session to Take Business Ideas into Business Plans
June 14th, 2008
Location: Mercury Launchpad
Sponsors: Mercury Technology Labs
To catalyze entrepreneurship, an intensive “boot camp” session will be offered for startup teams and individuals looking to gather the knowledge and skills that will help take business ideas and articulate them in business plans. This one day session covers many important start-up issues and provides prospective entrepreneurs detailed feedback on their ideas and planning. Furthermore, participating entrepreneurs benefit from networking with other like-minded individuals going through similar experiences. These sessions genuinely help entrepreneurs move forward with solid feedback and real plans for their business. To sign up and learn more contact Chris at chris@mercurylaunchpad.com.