On March 4, Memphis Bioworks Foundation hosted an open house and ribbon cutting celebrating the completion of the new 6,000 square feet of laboratory space for entrepreneurs. Participants pictured above, left to right: Jan Bouten, Penny Aviotti, John Pontius, Robert Gordon, Dr. Steve Bares, City Councilman Myron Lowery, Ken Woody, Dr. Terry Canale.

The Cycle of Entrepreneurship

A key area of focus at Memphis Bioworks is entrepreneurship. Much of what we do as an organization from an infrastructure, education, investment and business standpoint eventually goes back to establishing the right environment for successful bioscience and technology entrepreneurship. This year, milestones were reached in filling some important holes in the Cycle of Entrepreneurship for the community — the launch of TECworks and the dedication of our new dedicated lab and office space at 20 South Dudley.

TECworks is an entrepreneurship development organization with a focus on Technology, Entrepreneurship and Commercialization. TECworks will offer education and mentoring for entrepreneurs and facilitate the development of their products for the commercial space; education for potential investors; and the creation of an Angel Network in which qualified individuals can invest in new business opportunities. TECworks will round out the portfolio of entrepreneurism–focused organizations and programs in the Memphis area. Another key focus for TECworks will be the establishment of a grants institute to help organizations with the grant process.