Principles in creative problem-solving lead public and private groups to improve efficiencies, outputs and impacts
Memphis, Tenn. (March 24, 2015) – Start Co. today announced the formalization of an offering that leverages learnings from the startup accelerator process to help non-startup groups in the public and private sectors, including nonprofits, government entities and civic organizations, utilize entrepreneurial principles and creative problem solving to fine tune their business models, as well as launch new products or efforts and accelerate talent.
Over the last four years, Start Co. has run pilot programs that tested out the process with several Memphis organizations, including the Memphis Public Library, the Department of Journalism at the University of Memphis, the Shelby County Public Defender’s Office, Rhodes College, among others. Start Co. has worked with these organizations to improve the efficiency of their processes, specifically by leading projects that explore customer discovery and running “experiments” to confirm success and make adjustments if one approach is not yielding the desired results. Start Co. has helped conduct business modeling efforts with these organizations to ensure proposed efforts align with organizational goals.
“Start Co. has inspired us to raise the bar on the kinds of services we can provide,” said Diane Jalfon, executive director of the Memphis Library Foundation. “Their methodology helped us examine our patrons’ needs to develop programming and resources for our Small Business Center and provide technical programming for our newly developed Cloud901 teen learning lab.”
Upcoming this year, Start Co. will be working with the Memphis Grizzlies Charitable Foundation to execute a 10-week learning model for middle school students that combines entrepreneurship and digital skills to build a stronger foundation for educational and career attainment. It is modeled after the curriculum Start Co. helped develop for the Department of Journalism at the University of Memphis.
“After seeing the impact our accelerator methodologies have made on local civic endeavors over the last few years, we look forward to working with other non-startup organizations throughout the community in 2015,” said Andre Fowlkes, President of Start Co. “We are finding that most organizations, both public and private, can use startup principles and methods as an effective means of talent development and team building when launching or retooling a product, service or effort. We are excited to work with groups committed like us toward advancing a digitally savvy community here in Memphis.”
Working with these civic organizations was the foundation for introducing the Sky High accelerator last year, as its curriculum is based on merging social innovation and acceleration principles.
“We are fortunate to have a resource like Start Co. in Memphis – one that believes in the power of social innovation to make our city better. As the head of a government agency faced with significant funding restraints and overwhelming caseloads for our lawyers, it is imperative that we identify smart approaches to address the needs of our clients and community,” said Shelby County Public Defender Stephen Bush. “Start Co. has proven a valuable civic partner and has helped me and members of my team foster an entrepreneurial mindset; a way of thinking that is so critical to true criminal justice reform.”
The organization expects to roll out other activities with additional organizations in the coming months looking at supporting digital talent and the tech economy in Memphis.
Those interested in learning more or applying entrepreneurial principles to their businesses should email services@neverstop.co for more information. Pricing for projects are determined based on assessment of program objectives and scope.
About Start Co.
Start Co. is a nationally recognized nonprofit 501(c)(3) venture development organization based in Memphis, Tennessee, that relentlessly builds founders and companies, promoting entrepreneurship for everyone with a focus on digital startups. Start Co. is a member of the Global Accelerator Network and aims to advance Memphis’ economic growth through entrepreneurship. The organization is supported by partners including archer>malmo, Baker Donelson, The Marston Group, Mosaik Solutions and Softlayer (an IBM company). More information can be found at neverstop.co.