It's time to start up, Memphis.
That's the rallying cry I heard over and over last week and one that I hope more voices will continue to join.
I heard it from Karen Mills, administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, during her visit here when she toured local company Evaporcool and applauded the thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Memphis.
I heard it from Walter Perry, Tennessee SBA district director, during his meeting with SCORE Memphis members when he praised Memphis and Shelby County for leading the state last year with 102 SBA-backed loans totaling $54 million and for providing fertile ground for small businesses to grow.
And I heard it from David Warren, director of operations for the Startup Tennessee initiative launched by Gov. Bill Haslam to spur entrepreneurship in our state, when he encouraged minority and female entrepreneurs at the MBE Regional Power Breakfast to support local business accelerators such as EmergeMemphis and Memphis Bioworks that promote open doors for entrepreneurship in our state.
As we prepare for Global Entrepreneurship Week, which kicks off next Monday and runs through Nov. 20, I think it's important and inspiring to note that Tennessee leads the nation in the number of official GEW-related activities.
Toward that end, here are a couple events where you're guaranteed to meet some of this community's most innovative entrepreneurs.
For starters -- and for folks with short attention spans -- check out Ignite Memphis 3, the third installment of the fast-paced revue sponsored by LaunchMemphis and The Leadership Academy's MemphisConnect.com.
The program will feature 16 locals offering disparate community engagement presentations, bound by one decidedly limiting common thread: Each presenter gets only five minutes to breeze through 20 photographic slides.
Sound interesting? Then head over to Memphis Bioworks at 20 S. Dudley on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. The program will last until around 9, cost is $15 ($10 for students) and includes hors d'oeuvres and selections from Ghost River Brewery.
For a complete list of presenters and more information, visit launchmemphis.com.
And then on Nov. 12 comes the latest installment of BarCamp Memphis, which organizers tout as an "unconference" because instead of a set agenda, participants vote on the topics of discussion onsite on the day of the event.
This installment will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Southwest Tennessee Community College, 5983 Macon.
There are a number of potential discussion topics to choose from, including tech-related issues, sales and marketing strategies and social media and online platforms.
Cost varies from $5 for students to $75 for corporate admission and sessions will be held at various times, so be sure to check out barcampmemphis.com for details.
There'll be even more activities next week as we celebrate entrepreneurship globally and in our own backyard, so if you're hosting an event then be sure to let me know.
It's time to start up, Memphis. Let's create something special.
For more on Startup Memphis, visit startupmemphis.com. Follow on Twitter @StartupMemphis
-- James Dowd: (901) 529-2737
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