• Embed Doc
  • Copy Link
  • Readcast
  • Collections
  • CommentGo Back
Download
 
TechFuel shows Memphis is emerging asentrepreneurial hatching ground
By James DowdSaturday, April 25, 2009
Holiday Inn and FedEx Corp., sure, but technology-based startups?Well...Members ofLaunchMemphisreadily acknowledge that the Bluff City hasn'ttraditionally been identified as a hotspot for technological entrepreneurship.But that attitude is changing, leaders say, and the TechFuel forum held Thursday atMercury Launchpad-- located insideEmerge Memphisat 516 Tennessee -- is evidence of the city's expanding identity.The conference, which was aimed at entrepreneurs interested in learning more abouttechnology trends and innovations, attracted a capacity crowd. It featured media andmarketing experts Adrian Ho fromZeus Jonesin Minneapolis and C. C. ChapmanfromThe Advanced Guardin Boston.About 50 small business executives signed on for the weekday workshop and twiceas many attended an evening reception and panel discussion with Ho and Chapman."These are some of the revolutionaries leading the resurgence as Memphistransforms itself," said Michael Graber, managing partner ofSouthern Growth Studio,which cosponsored the event."The movement is under way and the idea of Memphis as a creative force in theentrepreneurial world is gaining momentum."Chapman agreed."One thing that has amazed me is that there are incredibly vibrant businessincubators in Memphis and the entrepreneurial community here is so strong,"Chapman said. "There's definitely a buzz here. Memphis has a lot of potential to be aspringboard for startups."TechFuel participants discussed ways to attract customers through digital media andhow to effectively use social networking sites to boost brand loyalty. Being open andtransparent, Ho said, is key."It's a radically different world from even a decade ago and successful companies will
of 00

Leave a Comment

You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...
You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...