Eleven startup teams to build businesses in Memphis over the next 90 days
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (May 12, 2015) – Start Co. recently launched its summer accelerator programs for 2015. Eleven startup teams comprised of nearly 30 entrepreneurs will embark on an intense entrepreneurial journey over the next 90 days in one of three accelerator programs. The companies include a diverse set of B2B companies, including online collaboration and retail tools, in-house delivery services, social media analytics, code schools, and more. All teams will present their business plans Aug. 13 at Demo Day, an opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments, network with the entrepreneurial community and pitch their startup ideas to investors for funding and other follow-on resources.
The teams were chosen from a large applicant base to work alongside elite mentors and business leaders to earn invaluable expertise and insight for honing their business models. More than 75 mentors from the business and creative community have signed on to support the teams via office hours, workshops, and training. Members of AutoZone’s IT team are also volunteering by providing technical assistance to Start Co.; training on software, application development and design to startups.
“We’re looking forward to building on last year’s successes to continue developing our programs to provide the best possible curriculum for our teams,” said Mara Lewis, managing director at Start Co. “I’m anxious to guide the teams through their business plan development and help them prepare for Demo Day in August.”
Nearly 30 founders, a mix of Memphis-based teams and others hailing from Washington, D.C., and Canada, will spend the summer in Memphis to take part in one of the summer accelerators:
- Seed Hatchery: Memphis’ first accelerator program is focused on the unique needs of B2B tech startups, including customer development, direct and online sales, product and market validation and fundraising strategies specifically designed to fit sales and product development life cycles. Seed Hatchery founders get $25,000 in seed-funding. Since its inception in 2011, a total of 23 companies have launched through Seed Hatchery. The four teams making up this year’s Seed Hatchery cohort include: DeliverTo, DivorceSecure, Preteckt and Ncrease.
- Upstart: Upstart is one of the nation’s first accelerators dedicated to women-led startups. In addition to participating in the Seed Hatchery curriculum, Upstart places an additional emphasis on personal and professional development and networking for female founders. Upstart founders also get $25,000 in seed-funding. To date, Start Co. is responsible for accelerating nine women-led companies through the Upstart accelerator. The 2015 Upstart cohort includes: 6Figure, Care Current and MLS My Nest.
- Sky High: Sky High is Memphis’ first social innovation accelerator, which focuses on the unique needs of social impact tech startups, combining startup building methods with social innovation building methods from intense Start Co. curriculums. Since its inception last year, four companies have launched through Sky High. The four teams making up this year’s Sky High cohort include: FRAGO, CodeCrew, a to-be-named Software School, and My College Stream.
The newly chosen accelerator teams are also participating in this year’s Start Q events, hosted by Start Co. during the Memphis in May International Festival World Championship Barbeque Cooking Contest. Teams are invited to join office hours at the Start Lab and a TECH Cocktail pitch competition at the Start Co. hospitality booth (#R020) on the river May 14 – 15.
“We’re anxious give our sponsors the chance to meet our newest accelerator teams and help them as they grow,” said Andre Fowlkes, President of Start Co. “Many attended the event last year and have chosen to return; it’s an excellent opportunity for us to expose them to Memphis’ entrepreneurial ecosystem at large.”
Start Co. is one of 50 members of the Global Accelerator Network, which sets the standard for excellence in startup acceleration. In the past five years, more than 2,000 entrepreneurs have taken advantage of Start Co. programming, and the organization has provided startups with more than 14,000 hours in technical support from a professional group of mentors from a variety of professional sectors.
About Start Co.:
Start Co. is a nationally recognized nonprofit 501(c)(3) venture development organization based in Memphis, Tennessee, that relentlessly builds founders and companies, promoting entrepreneurship for everyone with a focus on digital startups. Start Co. is a member of the Global Accelerator Network and aims to advance Memphis’ economic growth through entrepreneurship. The organization is supported by partners including archer>malmo, Baker Donelson, The Marston Group, Mosaik Solutions and Softlayer (an IBM company). More information can be found at neverstop.co.