From expert workshops to a $10,000 pitch competition, Biz Week 2026 delivered real access, relevant advice, and relatable action
MMDC's vision for Biz Week 2026 was simple: give Memphis entrepreneurs more than inspiration—give them transformation. Over three days, that's exactly what happened.
Monday wasn't about surface-level advice—our entrepreneurs walked away with tools, connections, and confidence to scale their ventures.
Kelly Miller, founder and owner of Learning Leaps, LLC, opened with a visual and motivational presentation showing how she educates children by blending her two passions: fitness and academics. It was a powerful reminder that the best businesses happen when you couple what you love with what people need.
The conversation continued with experts who brought real talk and real opportunities:
The biggest takeaway? If you want to do business with the government, you have to STAY ready. Don't wait for the opportunity to show up—have your certifications, documentation, and relationships in place now.
Huge thanks to Orion Financial for hosting and creating space for these conversations.
Wednesday brought the pitch competition to life. Twenty pitchers. Four judges. An intimate crowd at Orion. Two minutes each to show what they've got.
Thanks to our partner Epicenter, we had $10,000 in prize money on the line. The energy was real. These were entrepreneurs with real businesses, fighting for real capital.
We closed out Biz Week with a signature luncheon that brought our business community together to celebrate what's possible.
Keynote speaker and small business owner Courtney McNeal flipped the script on work-life balance, talking instead about work-life alignment. For entrepreneurs juggling a million things, her message hit home.
Courtney gave our entrepreneurs permission to build something that aligns with their values, not just their schedules.
Grand Prize Winner – $5,000
Stuart Lott – Backbone Technologies
$2,500 Prize Winners
Emma Crystal – Amani: A Cleansing Place, LLC
Shericka Lurry – Slimetastic Kids Play Lab
Congratulations to Stuart, Emma, and Shericka. And to everyone who pitched—your courage is what makes this community special.
“It is an honor to support Memphis businesses – the monetary investment awarded to these winners is just the start and we know each has a bright future of growth ahead,” said Rhonda Brown, Senior Director of Economic Development and Real Estate at the Memphis Medical District Collaborative. “BizWeek 2026 provided an essential space for the business community to meet new business connections, learn best practices, and collaborate for future economic prosperity across the city.”
None of this happens without our sponsors who believe in Memphis entrepreneurship:
Reliant Rides | MemX | Tennessee APEX Accelerator | ADP | First Horizon Foundation | Orion Financial | Varsity
Built by Community. Driven by Vision.
