Epicenter Memphis — The Innovation Hub of the Delta

As the Innovation Hub of the Delta, Epicenter exists to ensure that founders of innovative businesses have what they need to develop, launch, and grow their ventures in the Greater Memphis region.

Epicenter promotes and activates Memphis innovation and high-growth entrepreneurship — critical elements of successful economic development and regional prosperity. Their mission is to deliver high-impact resources to entrepreneurs using innovation to solve challenges in Memphis and the Delta Region.

In short, if you have a big idea and want to build something that matters — in tech, healthcare, logistics, agriculture, or any other innovation-driven space — Epicenter is the place in Memphis that will help you make it real. They connect talent, technology, and investment to build a thriving innovation economy right here in the heart of the Delta.

Programs - Built for Every Stage of Your Journey

Epicenter offers a suite of hands-on programs designed to meet founders wherever they are - from raw idea to investor-ready startup.

Epicenter Launch - Take Your Startup from Idea to Impact

Epicenter Launch is an intensive 8-week program designed specifically for innovative entrepreneurs with high-growth, high-impact startup ideas. Founders learn essential skills, tools, and strategies to transform concepts into viable businesses.

Over the course of eight weekly two-hour sessions, founders get access to expert-led lectures, distinguished guest speakers, and interactive programming in a rigorous yet supportive atmosphere, ensuring entrepreneurs not only learn foundational business principles, but also gain practical experience and actionable knowledge.

By the end of the program, participants will have:

• A fully developed Lean Canvas — a clear articulation of your business model, value proposition, customer segments, and revenue streams
• A compelling investor pitch — mastering storytelling, slide deck design, and go-to-market strategy
• A 90-Day Strategic Plan — a concrete roadmap with milestones and next steps to maintain momentum beyond the program

The curriculum covers design thinking, effective communication, market segmentation, customer discovery, intellectual property basics, and equity investing fundamentals — everything a first-time founder needs to get off the ground with confidence.

Capital Readiness Accelerator — Get Ready to Raise

One of the most common challenges for entrepreneurs is knowing how to raise funding. Epicenter's Capital Readiness Accelerator is built specifically to solve this problem.

The Capital Readiness Accelerator is a six-week, cohort-based accelerator that meets in-person at the Epicenter HQ in Memphis. Each week, founders engage in discussions, presentations, guest lectures, and field work to gain a deep understanding of the fundraising and investment landscape.

The six-week curriculum walks founders through:

• What capital is for and where it comes from
• How to determine the right time to raise and the appropriate use of funds
• How to identify the right investors and prepare the right documentation
• How investors make decisions and what soft skills are needed to win them over
• The mechanics of equity — valuations, cap tables, dividends, share prices, and converting instruments
• A graduation panel with professional investors

Graduates of the program are eligible for personal support to help strategise and plan their fundraising efforts.

Customer Readiness Accelerator — Go from Pilot to Profit

Raising money isn't the only way to grow — landing real customers is just as powerful. Epicenter's Customer Readiness Accelerator teaches founders exactly how to do that.

The Customer Readiness Accelerator is a 9-week program designed to elevate sales skills. As part of the cohort, founders master the 7-step sales process, learn effective communication and presentation techniques, understand how to handle objections confidently, refine closing strategies, and learn how to secure corporate partnerships.

The program is split into two phases: the first four weeks focus on designing a high-level pilot program and building a compelling corporate proposal, while weeks four through eight cover building a winning sales strategy, mastering persuasive communication, handling objections, closing deals, and building long-term client relationships.

This program is particularly valuable for entrepreneurs who want to sell to large corporations or institutions — turning a promising startup idea into a revenue-generating business.

Industry Opportunity Challenges

Epicenter also runs targeted industry challenges that connect entrepreneurs with real-world problems in Memphis's leading sectors:

• Logistics Industry Opportunity Challenge — For startups building solutions for the global supply chain industry, leveraging Memphis's unique position as one of the world's premier logistics hubs
• Medical Device Operations Challenge — Run through Epicenter's ZeroTo510 initiative, this challenge is for startups developing solutions for the medical device sector

These challenges are a direct pathway to real customers and industry partnerships.

Initiatives — Building the Broader Ecosystem

Beyond programs, Epicenter runs several major initiatives that shape Memphis's innovation landscape:

• DelTech Conference — Epicenter's flagship annual event bringing together technology leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators from across the Delta region. The next conference takes place October 14–16, 2026, and is a must-attend event for anyone in the Memphis startup ecosystem.
• ZeroTo510 — A dedicated initiative focused on medical device startups, helping founders navigate the FDA 510(k) clearance process and break into the healthcare technology space.
• Innovate Xcelerate — A program focused on accelerating innovation-driven businesses across the region.
• Next Big Thing — Epicenter's initiative to identify and support the most promising emerging startups coming out of Memphis and the broader Delta region.
• EpicenterU: Students to Startups — A brand-new program launched in partnership with Arkansas State University, funded by an $812K grant, helping university students across the Delta region turn their ideas into real startups through entrepreneurship training, mentorship, and funding.

A Powerful Partner Network

Epicenter doesn't work in isolation. Their partner network includes some of the most respected organisations in Memphis's entrepreneurial ecosystem — including AgLaunch, the Black Chamber of Memphis, the Greater Memphis Chamber, CodeCrew, Launch Tennessee, the University of Memphis, the National Science Foundation, the Tennessee Small Business Development Center, and more. For entrepreneurs, this means that plugging into Epicenter is plugging into an entire connected ecosystem of support.