Innovation can be a one-off stroke of genius in a place not known for new concepts.
More often, spaces — either formalized or due to the strengths of a collective community — can assist, foster, and push forward innovation, which can in turn lead to startups and founders striving to break new ground in any number of fields.
Since its fall 2021 launch, Memphis Inno — MBJ’s brand geared toward startups, technology, and innovation — has expanded its coverage of the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.
In that vein of coverage, MBJ is spotlighting Inno Spaces — such as Epicenter — that are shaping the fortunes of individual startups and creating a community of innovation in Memphis.
Epicenter
If you run a startup in the Mid-South, odds are you’re familiar with Epicenter.
A nonprofit, Epicenter supports the Mid-South’s entrepreneurial ecosystem in a variety of ways. In the fall, it launched its 10th annual ZeroTo510 Medical Device Accelerator, which has brought an array of promising medical device startups to the Bluff City. It’s partnered with the University of Memphis on the P2P program, which hires post-doc fellows to start businesses and gives them the tools they need to succeed. It’s connected the city’s fledgling companies to an array of resources and created Investable Memphis, an online, Bluff City-focused startup directory that seeks to connect potential investors and mentors with entrepreneurs.
Epicenter is, in many ways, the hub of entrepre-neurship in the Memphis area. And, like most hubs, it has a spacious, high-caliber headquarters — which can house not just its own employees, but local startups and entrepreneurs.
We asked Russell Ingram, Epicenter’s COO, to give us the rundown on its headquarters.
Here’s what he said:
Provide a brief history of the current headquarters.
Epicenter was first headquartered in Cooper Young. Before the pandemic, we were at full capacity. When the quarantine order was given, we stopped official operations on Cooper but left the facility open, free of charge, for those entrepreneurs who continued to need a place to do business. However, we knew we had outgrown that space. During the quarantine, we became aware that the ServiceMaster divestiture meant their corporate innovation center was available for sublease. Dave Curran, our phenomenal real estate agent at Commercial Advisors, reached out to Terminix on our behalf. Terminix graciously gave Epicenter a great deal, and we moved in the spring of 2021. Terminix has been a great landlord and very supportive of our mission to support Memphis entrepreneurs.
How big is Epicenter's space at Peabody Place?
20,125 square feet on one floor.
What are some of its primary features?
- High-speed internet and Wi-Fi
- Print, copy, and scan services
- Mail services for qualifying members
- Six meeting rooms of various sizes equipped with Apple TVs and conferencing capabilities
- Three event spaces: the Training Room equipped with conference- level AV, cafe area, and a lounge area equipped with a projector
- Phone booths for privacy
How does the space help startups and entrepreneurs? What kinds of spaces are offered to them?
Epicenter helps startups and entrepreneurs by providing them resources to help their business become successful. These resources include comfortable workspaces, well-appointed meeting rooms with videoconferencing capabilities, and first-class event spaces. Epicenter provides accelerator programs, workshops, and networking events. Members are encouraged to participate in our monthly events to collaborate and network with other businesses. These events vary between content-based events, such as workshops or panels, to mixers such as happy hours or Grizzlies watch parties.
