Startup Guide: Memphis
Intro
The economic and cultural hub of the Mississippi Delta, Memphis, TN, has a storied history of innovation and entrepreneurship - it is the birthplace of trap music, rock & roll, next-day delivery, and free ice at hotels! This spirit of entrepreneurship continues today, with a burgeoning ecosystem of tech startups and innovative, sizable clusters of corporations and activity in the logistics (FedEx’s global headquarters, busiest cargo airport in the USA), medical device (#2 medical device producing city in the country), and healthcare provider (St. Jude, Methodist Le Bonheur) industries.
Memphis’ startup ecosystem is characterized by its close relationships with its local industry clusters, leading to opportunities for advice, partnerships, and pilots, as well as its close-knit network of support. This energy and community is bolstered by a recent influx of large projects, including Ford’s $5.6B Blue Oval City development just outside Memphis, and xAI’s Gigafactory of Compute and their recently announced 500+ acre expansion.
There’s never been a better time to move to Memphis, or to start a business there. This guide is designed to help startup founders and operators navigate the unique landscape of running a business in the “New York City of the Delta.”
Why Memphis?
Natural assets: Memphis has numerous geographic advantages, including its fertile soil, pleasant weather, and our delicious and plentiful water via the Memphis Sands aquifer - Memphis is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world that relies 100% on groundwater.
Logistics Infrastructure: Memphis is home to the busiest cargo airport in North America and the 5th-largest inland port. Memphis also has five Class I railroads and is the third-busiest trucking corridor in the US. If you need to ship something, Memphis is the place to ship it from!
Diverse Economy: Memphis is home to three Fortune 500 companies’ global headquarters (FedEx, AutoZone, and International Paper); many more Fortune 1000 companies, including Terminix and First Horizon; and division headquarters of Smith & Nephew, Medtronic, Cargill, and more.
Innovative Industries: Memphis’ logistics and medical device communities are actively involved in startup programming, participating in workshops, accelerators, networking events, and other programs.
Culture: Memphis is the largest majority-black city in the United States, one of the most important cultural cities in the United States and is the birthplace of Blues, Rock & Roll, Soul, and continues to make a huge impact on American culture via its hip-hop scene, with artists like Glorilla, Young Dolph (RIP), Yo Gotti, and NLE Choppa.
Resources for startups
Funds
Firm | Industry I Stage
Innova Memphis | AgTech | Early-stage
Ridgeline | Enterprise Technology | Early-stage
SSM Partners | B2B Software | Growth stage
Incubators and accelerators
Provider and/or Program | Industry I Stage
Epicenter's Capital Readiness Accelerator | Agnostic | Early-stage
Epicenter Logistics Opportunity Challenge | Logistics | Agnostic
ZeroTo510 | Medical Device | Early-stage
Alchemist Memphis Hub | Enterprise technology | Early-stage
AgLaunch | AgTech | Agnostic
StartCo | Agnostic | Agnostic
TSBDC Memphis | Agnostic | Agnostic
Black Chamber of Memphis | Agnostic | Agnostic
For a complete list of funding resources in Tennessee, check out Build in SE’s Southeast Capital Landscape.
Coworking and shared workspaces
Provider | Neighborhood
Epicenter Memphis | Downtown
Wonder Cowork Create | Downtown
Connect Hub Coworking | Downtown
Crosstown Concourse | Midtown
Regus | East Memphis
Serendipity Labs | East Memphis
Community and event organizers
Epicenter has been a cornerstone of entrepreneurship in Memphis since its founding in 2015 and offers direct programming as well as ample networking opportunities.
Code Crew is transforming Memphis by providing extensive coding education through various programs such as summer camps, after-school programs, in-school electives, internships, and special events like hackathons.
Innovate Memphis works with multiple stakeholders to drive innovative solutions and nurture partnerships across the city of Memphis.
StartCo is a venture architect firm that supports clients and partners with design processes for launching early stage technologies, business innovations, and economic solutions.
Memphis World Trade Club is an organization of Memphis' professionals in the international trade industry. MWTC is one of the oldest and most respected clubs in the logistics industry and hosts the annual Memphis Logistics Summit, which features pitches from logistics startups as well as panel discussions on industry problems.
FedEx Institute of Technology is a hub for advanced research on University of Memphis’ campus, and also hosts events like its 901AI speaker series and various workshops.
University of Memphis Crews Center for Entrepreneurship makes entrepreneurship accessible to EVERYONE. At the Crews Center, any student of any major can receive education, training, support, mentorship and technical assistance at any stage of entrepreneurship. Crews Center also hosts events around entrepreneurship that are open to the broader community.
Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce builds a Greater Memphis for all by aggressively developing the region’s powerhouse economy, diverse workforce, and growth-friendly business environment.
Society of Entrepreneurs hosts regular workshops and events, as well as the annual Next Big Thing pitch competition in partnership with Epicenter.
Black Chamber of Commerce hosts events and programs throughout the year supporting Black entrepreneurs in Memphis.
Startups to watch
MedHaul connects healthcare organizations to a robust network of high-quality non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) providers and automates the transportation process, providing a single access solution to schedule and track rides for patients.
Sound Credit is revolutionizing the music industry supply chain with a file-sharing technology that recognizes creators.
Backbone Technologies is a game-changing new financial management platform that empowers microbusinesses and self-employed people to manage their finances all in one place from their smartphone or tablet so that they can get time back to grow their business, save money, and achieve peace of mind.
Hera Health Solutions is a pharmaceutical device company specializing in the research, development, and commercialization of long acting treatments through proprietary bioerodible drug delivery implants.
MiCarePath is a platform that optimizes patient care through Remote Patient Monitoring today and data tomorrow.
AnyCreek is the most guide-friendly platform ever built. It‘s our goal to help guides by lightening the load of running a business, so they can help even more people experience the outdoors. Because searching, booking, and paying for trips shouldn‘t be a pain for anyone, we‘re here to reinvent the norm.
Nutt Bio is developing a single injection sterilant that achieves the same outcomes as surgical castration. To ensure adoption in the industry they have worked closely with farm vets, researchers and, last but not least, farm workers.
Pollen Studios is a venture studio and technology services firm that helps organizations and teams implement technologies to stay ahead and evolve with the ever-changing world. They have spun out four offerings as of this publication and have more products in the pipeline for 2025!
With its innovative and involved industry base, tight-knit network of support, and abundant natural resources and infrastructure advantages, Memphis is already a hotbed of innovation in Logistics and Medical Device, with plenty of support for other industries. Memphis has overcome its poverty and lack of investment capital to focus on providing value for entrepreneurs through connection to industry partners and expertise, and investors from across the country are taking note and writing checks.
BONUS: Food, Drink, and Lifestyle Highlights
Choose901 serves as a guide for folks who choose Memphis as the place to invest and enjoy their life. They have a weekly guide of events and blogs that help get you plugged into Memphis.
Edible Memphis is the foodies dream blog! Edible Memphis provides guides and seasonal challenges that will satisfy your cravings and help you eat through Memphis.
Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid (shop/hotel/world wonder, Downtown) has to be seen to be believed. The tenth-largest pyramid in the world, in downtown Memphis, is home to a gigantic bass pro shop, complete with real-life alligators, catfish, and more. There are restaurants inside, including a bowling alley, and you can take an elevator up to the top to enjoy a cocktail and stroll the observation deck at the Lookout at the Pyramid
Crosstown Concourse (various, Midtown) is a mixed-use urban village located in a redeveloped Sears warehouse that has a free art gallery, performance space, restaurants, shopping, bars, and more!
Lamplighter Lounge (bar and venue, Midtown) is Memphis’ longest-running bar and has live performances almost every night, from drag shows to live music to comedy. Lamplighter is your home for Memphis’ weirdo counterculture performances, cozy booths, and cheap beer.
Earnestine & Hazel’s (restaurant and bar, South Main) is one of Memphis’ most iconic haunts. Located in a former brothel, you can find live music, cold beer, and the world-famous soul burger.
Barbecue (various, all over) arguing about who has the best barbecue is a favorite pastime in Memphis. Your humble correspondent recommends Payne’s (Midtown), Bar-B-Q Shop (Midtown), Cozy Corner (Downtown), and Ballhoggerz BBQ (Orange Mound)
Chicken Wings (various, all over) everyone knows about Memphis and barbecue, but few people know that the actual favorite food of Memphians is chicken wings. Check out Crumpy’s (various), Ching’s (Sherwood Forest), or Riko’s Kickin Chicken (Midtown).
Bala’s Bistro (restaurant, Whitehaven) is a no-frills African restaurant that just might have the best food in Memphis. Check out the chef’s other restaurant Mande Dibi (Hickory Hill) for a West African take on barbecue.
Cooper Young (neighborhood, Midtown) is a walkable neighborhood with record stores, bookstores, great restaurants and bars - truly one of the hidden gems of Memphis.
Shelby Farms (park, Cordova) is one of the largest urban parks in the country. You can bike, hike, run, kayak, fish, and take your dog to an off-leash dog park, all at a gigantic park only 20-30 minutes from downtown Memphis.
Overton Park (park, Midtown) is a traditional gathering place for Memphians of all stripes. Walk the trails through the old growth forest, catch a free concert at the Overton Shell, or play catch and barbecue with your friends on the greensward.
Wiseacre Brewery (brewery, Binghampton and Downtown) is one of Memphis’ oldest and most well-established breweries, with a large location downtown as well as their smaller original taproom in the Broad Avenue arts district in Binghampton.
Civil Rights Museum (museum, South Main) is a world-class museum located in the former Lorraine motel - the site of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination.
Thanks for exploring our guide to Memphis's vibrant tech and startup community! Want to dive deeper into what makes Memphis special? Feel free to connect with Nate Smith, who put this guide together.
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