Now in its 15th year, Indie Memphis is piloting a new and exciting concept: a festival of movies, music and innovation. On November 1-4 Memphis will feel a bit like Austin, as the annual Indie Memphis Film Festival introduces its new innovation track. We’re thrilled to be involved in the planning and activities, and proudly announce the lineup: Innovation Conversations on Friday, November 2: 9:30am Digital Revolution in Storytelling Abigail Posner, Google head of strategic planning, agency development David Lubars, Chair and Chief Creative Officer for BBDO Eric Korsh, Digitas VP of brand content 10am The Future is Here (Memphis innovation) Elizabeth Ostric, ED of the MERI Max Louwerse, Director of the Institute for Intelligent Systems at the FIT Charleson Bell, BioNanovations 12:30 Collaborate to Innovate Brian Janz, University of Memphis 12:45 Inclusive Innovation Melanee Hannock, SVP marketing-interactive, St. Jude/ALSAC Kimberly Bryant, founder of Black Girls Code Sherry Aaholm, EVP of Information Tech at FedEx 3:00 Four Horsemen of Dominant Design Rob Carter, CIO of FedEx 3:15 What’s the Big Deal with Big Data? John Daly, Chief Technology Officer, America’s Services, Microsoft Film Screening on Friday, November 2: 10:30am and 3:30 pm Indie Game: The Movie 1:00pm Welcome to the Machine includes talkback with the filmmaker 48 Hour Hack on November 2-4

At first impression, Richard Billings seems average if not a little voguish, but his early-stage startup “Screwpulp” is undoubtedly of the most exciting new ideas in Memphis. The idea is to use social media to drive down publishing costs, allowing practically anyone to write a book and reach a wider audience. The inspiration came to Richard when he started writing his own book. He quickly realized the publishing industry had high costs and low margins. Professional readers, editors, marketers, printers, and retailers all have to be paid and together eat up a lion’s share of the revenue. When all is said and done, the average writer takes home just 7% of the final sale. Even high profile authors only take home just 14%. Self-publishing is always an option but then the writer must do a tremendous amount of work and shoulder all the financial risk. Richard guessed that with current technology, there simply had to be a better way. Enter Screwpulp. The name is a rare triple entendre referencing the screw press, pulp fiction, and an insouciant attitude towards the whole publishing industry. The platform combines social networking and crowdsourcing to virtually replace all levels of the publishing process. Here’s how it will work: An author writes a book and uploads it to Screwpulp. New releases will be free to download in the beginning, allowing a range of different people to engage with it. Freelance editors and cover designers can browse early drafts and can offer their services. User reviews

We thought it was big when Nibletz, the digital media startup that serves as “the voice of startups everywhere else,” officially moved their HQ to Memphis as announced at our season launch party in August. But today Nibletz officially publicized details around their inaugural EverywhereElse.co The Startup Conference to be held at The Peabody Hotel on February 10-12, 2013. And it’s huge. Huge for startup culture, for our own entrepreneurial ecosystem and for Memphis, as 1000+ entrepreneurs, angels, VCs and startup media outlets converge in our city for a conference that will feature over 30 panels, keynote addresses, roundtable and fireside chats geared towards the challenges that entrepreneurs, startups and even investors face outside Silicon Valley. The conference will also include three signature networking events as well as a three day startup exhibition featuring 100 startups from “everywhere else.” Startups from throughout the US, and as far away as Israel and Romania, have already committed to exhibit in the Startup Village. Just how big are the speakers? Take a look at Nibletz’ video below for details. And then check out the EverywhereElse.co website as Early Bird tickets of only $39 for attendees and $350 for startups in the Startup Village are available through October 31. We’re proud to sponsor EverywhereElse.co The Startup Conference, along with Baker Donelson, LaunchTennessee and Startup America. And we’ll see you at The Peabody in February!

Ignite Memphis isn’t just a soapbox for innovation. People listen, and the impact of Ignite presentations can be far-reaching. Josh Spickler’s presentation on “Justice for a New Generation” helped put the national spotlight on the Shelby County Public Defender’s Office and continues to educate people about mass incarceration. From JustCity.org : Twenty PowerPoint slides and one attorney.  Generally not a recipe for applause and national recognition. But that’s exactly what happened after the Shelby County Public Defender’s office utilized the Ignite Memphis format to tell its story.  Public defender Josh Spickler gave his presentation about “Justice for a New Generation” at the spring edition of Ignite Memphis 4. In five minutes and with just 20 slides that auto-advance every 15 seconds, Spickler outlined the plans of the Shelby County Public Defender’s office to close the “justice gap.” The justice gap generally describes the inequites in our community that make it difficult for the poor to secure zealous legal counsel.   Spickler’s presentation at Ignite Memphis won the People’s Choice award.  The Shelby County Public Defender’s office has also used the Ignite presentation before community groups to help illustrate issues of mass incarceration and advocate for comprehensive justice reform in Shelby County. See full article here

Englighten us, but make it quick. presented by MemphisConnect and LaunchMemphis partner again to bring you Ignite Memphis 5 on Thursday, October 25 at the Bioworks Conference  Center. So prepare for another evening of inspiration and entertainment! And yes, beer. Have a topic you’re passionate about sharing, and up to the challenge of a 5 minute presentation with 20 slides that auto-advance every 15 seconds? Then submit it here by Friday, October 5 at 6pm. Selected topics will be announced on Thursday, October 11. What sort of topics are we seeking? Prior Memphis presentations have run the gamut from (flower)bombing blight to why opera doesn’t suck, and from how James Bond killed the martini to human trafficking in Memphis. So whatever is on your mind is fair game, as long as your presentation is PG-13 or tamer. If you’d prefer to sit back and watch, then tickets are on sale via EventBrite. Early Bird tickets are only $10 and available through October 18; regular tickets will be available online and at the door of the event for $15. For a taste of what’s in store check out this People’s Choice winner from Ignite 4, Josh Spickler on The Justice Gap:

Thanks to Smart City Memphis for the opportunity to discuss entrepreneurship and innovation – and how they are vital to our community’s economic growth, job creation, vibrancy and talent retention – on their site. First up, a guest post by our founding CEO Eric Mathews on his top 10 suggestions for cultivating an entrepreneurial ecosystem: Note: We’re proud that Eric Matthews is contributing the following post.  Eric Mathews is founding CEO and co-president of LaunchYourCity, Inc., a nonprofit that works to empower entrepreneurial action, reduce barriers to success, and build Memphis as a venture city that elevates talent and high-growth startup companies. Eric is also interim Executive Director of EmergeMemphis, a general business and technology-based incubator in downtown Memphis.  He and his colleagues are engaged in some of the most important work being done to grow and expand the economy of the Memphis region.  Here’s Eric’s post: While small business is vital to communities, the vast majority of new job creation comes from high growth entrepreneurship, and that is why those of us engaged in tandem with Startup America are focused on building the proper startup ecosystems in our respective communities. After six years of hard work, other communities reached out asking us for suggestions to grow startup ecosystems.  Here I have distilled our ecosystem building effort down to 10 points for other communities to consider. 6 Leaders Guiding for 20 Years: Building a startup ecosystem transcends election cycles and flash-in-the-pan leaders.  Brad Feld stated it best: you need 6

The annual Cooper-Young Festival is celebrating its 25th year of highlighting the best of Memphis arts, culture, heritage and people. Hosted by the Cooper-Young Business Association, the festival is expected to bring over 120,000 attendees to our city’s largest historic district for art, crafts, music, food, nonprofits and family-friendly fun. It’s a day that is all about creativity and community- and we’re proud to announce that for the first time we’ll be part of it! Stop by Cortona Contemporary Italian for the LaunchLounge, where you can learn more about our events and programming, meet some of our entrepreneurs and their startup companies, buy one of our tees or polos and chill with a DJ (and the AC). Cortona will feature food and drink specials from 2:00-5:00pm. Whether already part of our entrepreneurial community, or curious about how to get involved, we look forward to seeing you at the crossroads for the Cooper-Young Festival 2012! special thanks to:        

Wow- thanks to everyone who packed the house at Grawemeyer’s for our Season Announcement Party! We were thrilled by the turnout and energy, the connections made with our startups, our sponsors and partners who make our programming possible, and – of course – the chance to celebrate our biggest season yet, including a few surprise announcements! Thanks again to season sponsor Baker Donelson, and fall programming sponsors Commercial Advisors, Duncan Williams, Inc., Loeb Properties, Mayor’s Office of Talent and Human Capital and Waddell & Associates. Logistics details and RSVP links will be added shortly. But with no further ado… introducing our LaunchMemphis Fall 2012 Programming and Schedule: The Launchpad Office Hours: Tuesdays 9:00am-noon and Thursdays 2:00-5:00pm Our co-working space in downtown Memphis, the Launchpad is available for free to early stage entrepreneurs ready to take their startups to the next level. So are our weekly Office Hours of one-to-one mentoring around key elements of business development. Founders Toolkit Workshop NEW! The Launchpad (suite 127 of EmergeMemphis) at 5:30pm Business Canvas: August 21, October 2, November 27 Business Development: August 28, October 9, December 4 Marketing and Branding: September 4, October 16, December 18 Ready to convert your big idea into a solid business model? Those just beginning their entrepreneurial journey are encouraged to join us for this new three-part workshop series- it’s free, but you will have homework! Tech Cocktails sponsored by Loeb Properties 5:30-8:00pm September 12: Owen Brennan’s October 10: The Brass Door November 14: Alchemy December 12: HOLIDAY