Memphis is known for its innovation and entrepreneurship. Even the Fortune 500 businesses started out as an entrepreneurial venture. November 17 through November 23 is Global Entrepreneurship Week. Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) is an international celebration of innovators and job creators who launch startups and bring ideas to life. This week honors the entrepreneurs and small businesses that fuel the economy—especially our regional economy. Here are some fast facts about our entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Greater Memphis Area: 

 

  • Tennessee was ranked #8 in CNBC’s Top States for Businesses list. 
  • FedEx launched its first overnight deliveries from Memphis in April 1973; Holiday Inn was founded in Memphis by Kemmons Wilson (1952); Piggly Wiggly opened the first self‑service grocery in Memphis in 1916. 
  • Nationally, venture capital investment in Black founders has surged by 30% year-over-year, underscoring the expanding recognition of diverse innovation ecosystems — with Memphis positioned as a leading hub in the Mid-South for inclusive tech growth. 
  • Memphis is emerging as a southern innovation hub, home to a rising wave of Black founders leveraging the city’s affordable cost of living, strong logistics infrastructure, and growing tech talent pipeline to scale high-growth startups. 
  • Memphis was named one of Business Facilities’ 2025 Top Innovation Hubs to Watch, recognized for its thriving research ecosystem, industry partnerships, and major investments driving the Digital Delta forward. 
  • Memphis is the only major U.S. city where women own more small businesses than men  

 

Our city supports entrepreneurs and wants to see them thrive. Here’s a look at some of the events for our entrepreneurs and small businesses:  

November 18 — Greater Memphis Chamber: Business Over Breakfast 

7:30 AM–9:00 AM 

Alpha Memphis Education Foundation, 4122 Barton Dr. 

Registration required. 

 

November 20 — Greater Memphis IT Council: Cyber Seminar for Small Businesses 

“Creating a Culture of Cybersecurity” 

11:30 AM–1:00 PM 

City of Memphis Entrepreneurial & Innovation Center (ENC) 

 

November 21 — EDGE: Access to Capital for Small Businesses 

11:30 AM–1:00 PM 

City of Memphis ENC 

 

November 22 — City of Memphis Libraries Division: 901 Kids Fest 

11:30 AM–3:00 PM 

Cossitt Library, 33 S. Front St. 

Open to the public. 

 

Join us in celebrating the entrepreneurs who bring innovation to our city.