Digital Cities. Venture Development. Capital. Venture architect for the future of innovation and economies. Start and #NeverStop
Memphis, TN
Joined May 2008
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Start_Co retweeted
Most economic development talks about communities. This one listens to them.
On October 6, Start Co. hosts The Suggestion Box at The Dame downtown. Cocktails, conversation, and community suggestions. It's our next Catalyst30 mixer.
The idea is simple. Get business owners, placemakers, and residents in one room. Ask five questions:
1. What in the region helps you innovate?
2. What hinders you from innovating?
3. What outside the region helps you innovate?
4. What is missing in the region that could help you innovate?
5. Where could you specifically use help?
Come with your thoughts or work them out there. You can submit suggestions from your phone while we talk.
I think the best ideas for Memphis are already in Memphis. We need to hear them.
Tuesday, October 6 | 5:00-7:00 PM
The Dame, 69 E. Pontotoc Ave, Memphis
Register: jazpqjuxujz.typeform.com/to/…
Proud to see Andre Fowlkes taking this conversation to DelTech 2026.
For years, we’ve talked about entrepreneurship as a tool for economic growth. But the real measure is whether we are building firms that can scale. The Urban Institute data gives Memphis a clearer picture.
What will it take for #Memphis to turn more entrepreneurial activity into scalable companies, stronger firms, and real job creation?
@Start_Co President Andre Fowlkes is taking that question to the stage at DelTech 2026.
Drawing from the Urban Institute’s recent report on entrepreneurship in Shelby County, Andre will break down three areas where Memphis businesses and economic development organizations can improve our competitiveness nationally:
• Incorporation and the innovation continuum
• Helping firms reach greater operational scale and commercialization
• Open-logic corporate innovation for greater job creation and business expansion
The data points to real gaps we need to address. Tennessee ranks last nationally in the incorporated share of firms, and improving our economic performance requires more than simply starting more businesses. We need an economic value-delivery system that puts innovation, scalability, capital formation, and competitiveness first.
We’re proud to have Andre representing Start Co. at DelTech 2026 and advancing this important conversation about the future of the Memphis economy.
#DelTech2026 #Memphis #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #EconomicDevelopment
Building downtown is not a real estate project. It's a people project.
On September 8th we're putting it into practice. Deni Reilly sits down with us to talk about how reinvention and execution carried The Majestic Grille and Cocozza through it's hardest stretch. Details below.
Downtown Memphis has always been built by people willing to adapt, reinvent, and keep moving.
Join us on September 8 from 5:00–7:00 PM at Barware for a Catalyst30 fireside chat with Deni Reilly of The Majestic Grille and Cocozza.
Deni will share what it took to navigate COVID, why new ideas and reinvention became essential, and what other entrepreneurs and business leaders can learn from that experience.
We’ll also bring together downtown businesses, aspiring talent, and partners across Memphis’ innovation ecosystem for an evening of conversation and connection.
This is what Catalyst30 is about: creating a downtown environment where entrepreneurs can start, grow, experiment, and help shape the future of our urban core.
If you are building a business, leading one, or care about the future of Downtown Memphis, join us.
Link in the comments to register.
#Memphis #MemphisBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #DowntownMemphis
Great opportunity for Memphis businesses looking to get unstuck. Link to register is in the comments.
Too many businesses spend time talking about problems without creating a disciplined path to solve them.
On August 29, we’re hosting a Problem Solution Design Sprint at Epicenter in Memphis for business leaders, entrepreneurs, and teams who have a real challenge or opportunity they want to move forward.
This is not a three-hour lecture.
It is a working session designed to help you:
-Define the problem or opportunity that actually matters
-Bring your experience and vision into the solution
-Evaluate the potential market opportunity
-Identify assumptions that need to be tested
-Turn ideas into clear, actionable next steps
You can bring a challenge inside an existing business, a new growth opportunity, or an entirely new business idea. The goal is the same: leave with greater clarity about what to do next and how to start executing.
Problem Solution Design Sprint
August 29 | 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Epicenter | 150 Peabody Place, Memphis
If your business has a problem worth solving or an opportunity worth pursuing, bring it into the room.
Businesses and business leaders: sign up and put three focused hours against something that could materially move your organization forward.
Link in the comments to register.
What will Downtown #Memphis look like in 2030?
We believe entrepreneurs and small businesses should help answer that question.
Read more about Catalyst30 below.
neverstop.co/post/catalyst30…
A couple of weeks ago we co-hosted a big event with big impact.
Tomorrow, Memphis welcomes leaders, innovators, and economic development professionals from across the Americas for the kickoff of the Americas Competitiveness Exchange - ACE
Find Out More Here: youtu.be/SEwe8-eNPQk?si=20rd… via @YouTube
Virtual Entrepreneurship Series, a leadership and sales program designed to help founders build scalable organizations and repeatable revenue.
Open to entrepreneurs in:
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, HI, IL, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, NV, NJ, NM, NY, OR, RI, VT, WA.
docsend.com/view/nzezmimqs34…
Calling All Startups!
ONE WEEK LEFT TO APPLY for SXSW Pitch 2026 — one of the world’s premier showcases for innovative technology and disruptive ideas.
Join an alumni network of companies that have collectively raised $22B+
Apply now: sxsw.com/pitch
Calling all data, tech & design pros in #Memphis! Join us for the City Hackathon 🧑💻 Nov 7-9 at UofMemphis FedEx Institute! Innovate solutions for our city & network with local experts and peers. Register! 👉 eventbrite.com/e/city-hackat… #hackmemphis2025
Hear from our very own @ECMathews on his philosophies on building people and companies all captured through this published books. #BooksWorthReading #Startups #coaching #GrowthMindset #business
On this episode of the Startup of the Year podcast, we are joined by @ECMathews from @Start_Co , who chats about unleashing unprecedented potential.
✨ Listen: soty.link/Pod141
✨ Watch: soty.link/PodVid141
Apply to the #SXSWPitch competition today! Apply by the first deadline on Friday, September 12, for a discounted application fee of $100 sxsw.com/pitch/
On Wednesday, September 4th (12–1 PM CST), join us for an interactive session led by Andre K. Fowlkes, where we’ll demystify the sales process and explore how to:
jazpqjuxujz.typeform.com/to/…
Hope you will join us for this virtual session for #Memphis Entrepreneurs
Sky High Entrepreneurship Series Session 2:
CRAFTING PITCHES THAT CLARIFY AND COMPEL
We will explore how you can leverage the pitching process to elevate your business strategy.
Whether preparing for client meetings, seeking investments, or showcasing to the community, a concise and captivating pitch can sharpen your message and illuminate your business's unique attributes.
In this session, you will learn how to distill your business to its essence, communicate with confidence, and tailor your pitch to diverse audiences.
The focus is on enhancing clarity as a founder, with practical frameworks and real-life examples to help structure your ideas and find your authentic voice. Discover strategies to avoid common pitching mistakes and leave a lasting impression in various environments.
This session seamlessly integrates with the Entrepreneur’s Journey Program, featuring a dedicated module on pitch development. Enrolled participants will access tools for refining their messaging, while newcomers are warmly invited to join and kickstart their entrepreneurial journey.
🌟 SESSION 2: CRAFTING PITCHES THAT CLARIFY AND COMPEL
👤 HOSTED AND LED BY Eric Mathews
🗓️ DATE: 8/21/25
🕛 TIME: 12PM - 1PM CST
🔗 REGISTER HERE: calendly.com/ryanram/sky-hig…
Start_Co retweeted
#TeamSRG enjoyed participating in this week’s @AEI #AmericanDreamInitiative Solutions Summit in Memphis, hosted in partnership with the @CityofMemphis, @MemphisChamber, @Start_Co, and @edge_memphis: memphis.americandream.is/
Calling all California-Based Startups -- no-cost, no-equity acceleration and mentorship program is rolling out. #California #startups
Join Us for the CalAsian Accelerate Kickoff Event + Happy Hour!
We're thrilled to invite you to the official launch of CalAsian Accelerate during SF Climate Week!
📅 Date & Time: April 22, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
📍 Location: Trellis Coworking, 981 Mission St, San Francisco, CA
This in-person event, hosted by Ryan Ramkhelawan and SF Climate Week, marks the beginning of a no-cost, no-equity, five-week virtual accelerator designed to help California-based founders grow and scale their businesses. Through tailored programming and 1:1 mentorship, participants will receive expert guidance on fundraising, go-to-market strategy, marketing, and operations to position their companies for sustainable success.
The event will kick off with a meet-and-greet and cohort introduction, followed by a casual happy hour for networking and celebration. We've already confirmed several founders and are looking to welcome an additional 10–15 entrepreneurs through this event. If you're interested in joining the program, this is your chance to learn more, meet the team, and connect with like-minded founders.
Space is limited—RSVP ASAP to be considered for the cohort.
#CalAsianAccelerate #SFClimateWeek #StartupAccelerator #Founders #Networking #ClimateInnovation
lu.ma/20cgnywk
Check out @CalAsianChamber’s #CalAsianAccelerate—empowering biz owners with mentorship, resources, & growth! If you’re in #California, here’s your chance to scale your #Biz. Learn more: f6s.com/calasian-accelerate/… #Sacramento #BayArea #SoCal #AAPI
Start_Co retweeted
This is true at the individual level as well as at the community, and regional level. The access to risk capital gives you more opportunities to be successful.
On average it takes 3.7 failures before your first success.
The ability to execute more than one experiment in entrepreneurship increases your opportunity for success for individuals, communities, and regions.
If you can't run one experiment let along 3-5 (or 100 at the community level), then you are not likely to be successful in venture building.
Thrilled to see Andre Fowlkes & @ECMathews named to the 2025 Power 100 by @MBJMemphis! Honored to support Memphis' entrepreneurial ecosystem and build lasting impact. Thank you, MBJ, for recognizing their work. Congrats to all the leaders on this list! #Entrepreneurship
