Start Co.

Strong companies are built deliberately. They do not emerge by accident.

Start Co. is currently running the **Virtual Entrepreneurship Series 2026**, a six-part leadership and sales program designed to help founders build scalable organizations and repeatable revenue engines.

This is a multi-state program funded by Empower California and open to qualified entrepreneurs in:

Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.

We kicked off on February 11, but it is not too late to join the remaining sessions.

Over the next sessions, founders will learn how to:

• Strengthen organizational structure and culture
• Establish governance and board discipline
• Validate and sharpen their “sell”
• Modernize their sales funnel
• Scale with financial clarity and operating discipline

The program is fully funded. There is no cost for qualified participants.

Registration and completion of the intake form are required to determine eligibility.

If you know founders in any of these states who are serious about building durable companies, send this to them.

Apply here: https://docsend.com/view/nzezmimqs34uzgiw

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.

This is your chance to:

Pitch in front of top-tier investors, media, and industry leaders

Gain unmatched visibility on a global stage

Join an alumni network of companies that have collectively raised $22B+

Don’t miss it — apply now:

SXSW Pitch SXSW Pitch showcases innovative new technology to a panel of industry experts, high-profile media professionals, and venture capital and angel investors.

Calling all data, tech & design pros in ! 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! 👉 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/city-hackathon-2025-tickets-1652905387509
hashtag

City Hackathon 2025 This is the official registration page to join a hacker team during the 2025 City of Memphis Hackathon Friday, Nov. 7 - Sunday, Nov. 9

Apply to the competition today! Apply by the first deadline on Friday, September 12, for a discounted application fee of $100 https://www.sxsw.com/pitch/

Sales isn’t just about closing deals – it’s about building trust, solving problems, and creating value.

On Wednesday, September 4th (12–1 PM CST), join us for an interactive session led by Andre Fowlkes, where we’ll demystify the sales process and explore how to:

Identify the right customers

Design a sales process that works for your business

Develop outreach strategies that feel authentic

Turn conversations into conversions

Whether you’re making your first sale or scaling your efforts, this session will give you the mindset and tools to grow your revenue sustainably.

📅 Date: September 4, 2026
⏰ Time: 12–1 PM CST
🎤 Hosted by: Andre Fowlkes

👉 Register Here: https://jazpqjuxujz.typeform.com/to/IB2rJOpp

This session is part of The Entrepreneur’s Journey Program, equipping founders and business leaders with the tools to thrive.

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: https://calendly.com/ryanram/sky-high-entrepreneurs-journey-session-2?month=2025-08&date=2025-08-21

Start Co. is partnering with the More For Memphis effort to launch targeted entrepreneurial support in South Memphis.

We’re starting with virtual workshops to engage local entrepreneurs and small businesses. From there, we’ll build momentum toward a full accelerator program later this year, alongside community-based social events.

Our focus includes:

--Main Street and small businesses

--Innovation entrepreneurs

--Music industry ventures

--Social enterprises

Over the next 12 months, you’ll see the rollout of: Sky High Sessions, Accelerators, Office Hours, and Events — all designed to help entrepreneurs grow through better structure, marketing, customer development, and investor readiness.

If you know someone building in South Memphis, send them our way.

Here is the Registration Link: https://jazpqjuxujz.typeform.com/to/YG2yAFFe

Sky High Entrepreneur’s Journey Program Registration Turn data collection into an experience with Typeform. Create beautiful online forms, surveys, quizzes, and so much more. Try it for FREE.

We were happy to have Fred Smith, Founder of FedEx at our American Enterprise Institute Solutions Summit in . He spoke on the future of Memphis, Trade, and the future -- learn more here:

Trump tariffs concern FedEx founder Fred Smith FedEx founder Fred Smith believes the U.S. economy will slow under current Trump tariffs.

We were honored to welcome the American Enterprise Institute to Memphis for the Solutions Summit.

It was more than a convening. It was a statement of direction for our community.

Over two focused days, we centered Memphis in the national conversation on housing, the future of AI and work, and how cities like ours are actively shaping what opportunity looks like in America.

The American Dream must be redefined to reflect the full geography of innovation and impact. That includes Memphis. And we are making sure it does.

Entrepreneurship Series: Empowering Small Businesses & Startups

Start Co. and the Mid-South Latino Chamber of Commerce are partnering to launch an entrepreneurship series designed to equip business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools, knowledge, and connections needed to grow and succeed.

Kicking off April 9 and running through June, this series includes:
✅ Hands-on workshops to build essential business skills
✅ Self-learning tools to help you grow at your own pace
✅ One-on-one consultations for personalized guidance

Led by Start Co. President, Andre K. Fowlkes
For the past 15 years, Andre has been leading innovation-driven economic development through Start Co. Under his leadership, Start Co. has helped launch countless startups, drive new innovations, and build sustainable growth strategies for businesses.

This is an opportunity to take your business to the next level. Let’s build, grow, and succeed—together.

Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdYdGL99g1y77v1T6BCwsw19pzEbYx1AujEzgzRwyG-Vpb7BQ/viewform