Responsive design brings site to life across devices Memphis, Tenn. (Sept. 19, 2013) – As part of its evolution from a local entrepreneur resource to a leading venture development organization, Memphis-based Start Co. today announced the launch of its new website at www.neverstop.co. Start Co. leaders believe the new site showcases their comprehensive menu of services, while bringing to life their core philosophy – that in addition to tangible resources like funding, mentoring and workspace, entrepreneurship is about relentless hard work and focus that ultimately make a venture successful. “The demand for startup support and investment here in Memphis continues to increase,” said Eric Mathews, CEO and co-president at Start Co. “Our new website takes our mission online by offering founders and their companies resources and relevant information that will help them relentlessly build startups.” The site’s architecture highlights the organization’s four areas of focus: helping early-stage founders get their companies off the ground (Start Launching), connecting founders with established business leaders (Start Mentoring) as well as potential investors (Start Investing), and increasing opportunities for underrepresented groups, notably students, women, and minorities (Start Empowering). Main sections of the site detail Start Co. services relevant to those four areas, including co-working space, accelerator programs, technical assistance, mentorship opportunities, seed and angel funding, and dynamic programming. Other areas include news, event schedules, and perspectives on the challenges startups face. Finally, a new responsive design allows for browsing on multiple devices – a crucial feature for busy entrepreneurs. “Neverstop.co is the essence of

Growing Venture Organization Promotes Memphis as Startup Destination Memphis, Tenn. (Sept. 3, 2013) – LaunchYourCity, Inc., an economic development organization that focuses on building startup companies and their founders, today announced the transformation of its organizational identity to Start Co.  The new name and identity better reflects the organization’s service offerings and values under a unified platform and mission to advance the economic future of Memphis through supporting technology entrepreneurs and startup ecosystems. “The rebrand is a result of the amazing growth our organization has encountered over the past few years, and speaks to Start Co.’s forward-looking values, as well as the growing demand for building start ups here in Memphis,” said Eric Mathews, the founder and CEO of Start Co., formerly LaunchYourCity. “It more clearly defines who we serve and what we are about – which is to relentlessly build start up founders and their companies with methodical discipline and boundless optimism.” The unveiling of the new brand and identity is a key step in the organization’s transformation, and will be fully realized in coming months through the roll-out of a completely redesigned website and rebranded service offerings.  In addition to these programs, Start Co. will continue to operate accelerator programs including Seed Hatchery, the 90-day mentor program focused on technology startups and Upstart, an accelerator program specifically geared toward building women-led and owned startups. “Our new name better represents our brand,” said co-president Andre Fowkles. “Start Co. aligns with our mission to provide a comprehensive platform that brings

MEMPHIS, TN (Aug. 6, 2013) – Start Co. announces their partnership with JumpStart Inc., a nationally recognized nonprofit venture development organization, on a project aimed at enhancing the existing efforts to connect Memphis startup businesses with the resources they need to succeed. This partnership is the first step in developing a sustainable five-year plan to put Memphis on the map as a center for venture development and innovation. The project aims to increase the pipeline of quality entrepreneurs and companies across sectors, provide relevant technical assistance pre- and post- accelerator, increase seed and follow-on funding available to high potential startups, and generate more entrepreneurial ideas from all members of the community . “After two years of discussions, we’re excited to kick off this collaboration with JumpStart,” says Andre Fowlkes, co-president of Start Co. “Working with JumpStart further supports our mission of relentlessly building companies and founders for the advancement of Memphis’ entrepreneurial ecosystem. We’re excited to leverage JumpStart’s expertise, resources and track record.” The project will capture critical data related to the creation and development of high growth ventures, inform the enhancement of entrepreneurial support resources and identify productive partnerships. “We choose to work with Start Co. because of their track record in supporting high growth technology startups in the Memphis market,” says Mike Mozenter, President of JumpStart’s regional consulting arm. “Our organizations have complimentary missions, and I have been impressed with the resources and support that Start Co. offers startups.” ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Start Co. is a nationally recognized non-profit

Recent Rebrand and New Memphis HQ Offer Tech Startups Enhanced Programming and Support MEMPHIS, Tenn. (July 15, 2013) – Start Co. (formerly LaunchYourCity) today announced the organization’s expansion to the West Coast with the opening of an office in San Francisco to serve as a launch pad for the Memphis-based organization to encourage technology talent and startup investors look into Memphis to grow and prosper. The office will be led by Mara Lewis, a serial entrepreneur, who will serve as an entrepreneur-in-residence with expertise in women’s and minority acceleration. “We believe that having a beachhead on the West Coast is the right thing to do to ensure we are attracting top-notch resources for Memphis startups, said Eric Mathews, founder and CEO of Start Co. “Mara will serve as an on-the-ground ambassador who will help evangelize Memphis as a go-to destination for technology startups.” This announcement follows the organization’s recent rebrand and move to Memphis’ Overton Square, a mecca for up-and-coming creative and entrepreneurial organizations. The Playhouse on the Square Office Tower location is centrally located and ideal for the type of programing and resources offered by Start Co. for early-stage technology startups. “We believe our new home in Overton Square will enable us to reach and interact with the entrepreneurial and strategic groups already flocking to this emerging hotspot in Memphis,” added Mathews. Start Co. also added three employees to support the organization in Memphis, Hillary Quirk, Rachel Wilhite and Al Pickett. Quirk and Wilhite will serve as the community

(Startup Memphis) Several years ago — 2010 to be exact — a group of Memphis creatives huddled together and organized what would be the first-of-its-kind event here in the Bluff City. Modeled on a concept first staged in Seattle in 2006 and implemented around the world in cities such as Amsterdam, Helsinki, Paris and New York, the event tagged as “Ignite Memphis” promised an entertaining forum where folks could share personal ideas in a public venue on how to make Memphis better. That inaugural outing featured presentations by a diverse group of young professionals and attracted a melting pot of more than 150 folks of different ages, races, socio-economic groups and professional backgrounds. The one thing they had in common was gathering together to support innovation in Memphis. Read the full article at Startup Memphis Read more at The Commercial Appeal

New accelerator program SkyHigh launches to include nonprofit programming, social innovation & civic entrepreneurship Memphis, Tenn. (March 4, 2014) – Start Co. today announced the addition of Scott Vogel as vice president of civic entrepreneurship. In this new role, Vogel will build public-private partnerships to scale Start Co. efforts to extend the “Entrepreneurship is for everyone” theme from the MEMxmovement. Vogel will also orchestrate the organization’s relationships with local and national universities, social groups, as well as focus on business development. Vogel will also manage the organization’s newest accelerator, SkyHigh, geared around combining current Start Co. curricula and programming for the benefit of social innovation. His startup background will help other early stage startups tap into community leadership and navigate the community landscape. He will work directly with Start Co. co-president Andre Fowlkes to execute programming. “Scott brings serial entrepreneurial, social and nonprofit experience to the team,” said Eric Mathews, founder and CEO of Start Co. “We’re excited to leverage his start up experience and passion for nonprofits as well as his background in community service.” With more than 15 years of entrepreneurial, innovation and investment experience, Vogel will also serve as one of Start Co.’s two entrepreneurs-in-residence.  His long track record of civic experience includes national committee membership on the board of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital/ALSAC and recent appointment to the University of Memphis Research Foundation. He is also past president of the Tennessee Health Information & Management Systems Society and has held leadership roles within the Memphis

(Memphis Daily News) Memphis has made all the difference for me as a female startup founder. Memphis isn’t often sought after as an entrepreneurial hub, but I found it to be just what I was looking for: supportive and empowering for woman founders like myself. Memphis startup events aren’t only balanced on gender, but also in race. A mind-set for inclusion here is really setting our community apart from others. In late 2010, I began my entrepreneurial journey with the launch of an online store. With a background in digital marketing and a passion for e-commerce, I began WeddingWorthy.com, a collaborative commerce platform that enables bridal parties to shop together from anywhere. Being self-employed, however, never really granted me the resources necessary to grow my company. I didn’t realize what I was missing though until I reached out to Start Co. I needed mentoring, resources and investment – the infrastructure Start Co. provides. That’s when WeddingWorthy.com really began to gain some momentum.    Read the full article at The Daily News

(Startup Memphis) Lots of startup and tech news swirling around these days – check out reports from myriad news outlets on SXSW in case you doubt me – and good to know that Memphis is in the mix. Case in point: Local startup/entrepreneurship incubator Start Co. is featured in a new podcast by the folks at the Jumpstart Entrepreneurial Network. Here’s more from the team there: High-tech startups are a key driver of job creation and young, entrepreneurial companies can lay claim to creating all net new jobs in the U.S. over the last 30 years. So it should be no surprise that communities faced with a loss of industry are working to expand their economic development strategies beyond traditional attraction and retention to include the ability to support the launch and growth of new, tech-based businesses. Read the full article at Startup Memphis

(Memphis Daily News) Start Co. has added Memphis businessman Scott Vogel to its operation as vice president of civic entrepreneurship, and the organization has promoted current mentorship leader Al Pickett to vice president of diversity. In addition, Vogel will be responsible for managing Start Co.’s newest accelerator, SkyHigh, which will be geared around social innovation. Along with that, Vogel will help Start Co. build public-private partnerships to scale the group’s effort. He’ll also help facilitate relationships with local and national universities and social groups, and will focus on business development. The SkyHigh accelerator program is accepting applications through April 15. Applications to the rest of Start Co.’s accelerators are open through March 15. Meanwhile, Pickett in his new role will help grow and lead Start Co.’s minority and women inclusion efforts, conduct community outreach and operate Launch University, a weekly founder development program. He’ll also continue to lead Start Co.’s mentoring platform. Read the full Daily Digest at The Daily News