Memphis Bioworks Foundation

We are building a new economic engine in Memphis, and we are doing it because we have leaders from all levels of government, international business, colleges and universities, foundations, and research who have joined hands to make it happen.
W. W. Herenton
Mayor of Memphis

Accelerating the Growth of Bioscience

Founded in 2001 as a nonprofit 501(c)(3), the Memphis Bioworks Foundation leads an unprecedented collaboration of public, private, academic, and government organizations aligned behind a common goal. The mission of this alliance is to build upon the bioscience industry already thriving in the Memphis economy and to establish the area as an internationally recognized center for the development and commercialization of biomedical technology.

Why is this important? Because our leaders realize that bioscience can transform the economy and revitalize our community. Higher paying jobs, new businesses, meaningful research, elevated educational opportunities, resurrecting abandoned neighborhoods bioscience has the ability to create an urban renaissance.

Many areas across the country are trying to market themselves as bioscience centers with only concepts on paper - concepts that may never be realized. But Memphis is rich with concrete assets that exist here and now, giving us a distinctive niche in the marketplace. To keep the momentum going, the Foundation is in the process of implementing a 10-year, $500 million plan for achieving its bold vision for the future - leveraging public money with private support. Because we are focused solely on bioscience and well connected in the community, we already have tangible results to show for our work. Still, the competition is fierce and we need the continued support of the community.

Competitive Strengths and Plans for Growth.

The Memphis Bioworks Foundation is armed with an encouraging study of the city's current bioscience activity and potential for growth. The study, which was prepared by a leading independent technology research firm, notes:

"Memphis is the only region among the benchmarks to have four out of the five bioscience sectors stand above the national level of concentration, with three of the sectors - medical devices, hospitals, and organic chemicals - reaching a (high) level of regional specialization."

If we have so many assets, what has prevented a true bioscience cluster from forming? The Memphis Bioworks Foundation has analyzed all of the area's strengths and identified several missing elements that must be addressed. Our plans are realistic and achievable. To become a world-class center for bioscience we must:

Build infrastructure
Grow the workforce
Promote entrepreneurship

Considering our leadership, success is inevitable. We are proud to have a diverse group of industrial, educational, research, and clinical partners on board with us. We're always looking for more if you're interested.