Memphis has a growing startup scene focused on logistics, healthcare, and fintech. You'll find mostly seed and early-stage investors here, not growth equity firms. Check sizes range from $50k angel investments to $3M Series A rounds. Don't expect San Francisco or New York velocity - Memphis investors move slower but stick around longer.
Quick list
Innova Memphis: Led MPOWER Financing's $50M Series C in 2025, the largest venture round in Memphis history.
Memphis Bioworks Foundation: Backed Mimeo Health's $2.5M seed round in Q1 2026, focusing on healthcare innovation companies.
Epicenter: Wrote $500k seed check for logistics tech startup ShipGenius in late 2025, continuing their supply chain focus.
Start Co.: Backed 8 local startups with checks ranging from $100k-$750k in 2025 through their accelerator program.
Seed Hatchery: Led AgLaunch's $1.2M seed round in mid-2025, targeting agtech companies in the Mid-South region.
G100: Participated in SelectRx's $3M Series A in Q3 2025, their largest healthcare investment to date.
Tennessee Angel Fund: Wrote $250k check for education tech startup ClassBridge in December 2025.
Cadre: Backed Memphis-based food delivery platform LocalEats with $400k seed investment in Q4 2025.
Hyde Family Foundations: Led impact investment round for sustainability startup GreenLoop with $1.5M in early 2026.
Launch Tennessee: Provided $100k follow-on investment to portfolio company MedConnect in January 2026.
Memphis Angels: Syndicated $600k seed round for healthcare analytics platform HealthMetrics in Q2 2025.
Endeavor: Supported Memphis entrepreneur through their network but doesn't write direct checks - provides mentorship and connections.
FedEx Institute of Technology: Backed logistics automation startup AutoRoute through university partnership with $200k in late 2025.
Zero to 510: Invested $350k in medical device company CardioSense in Q3 2025, focusing on FDA-regulated products.
Poplar Ventures: Led pre-seed round for fintech startup PayStream with $500k in early 2026.
Picking the right Memphis investor
Check size: Most Memphis investors write $50k-$1M checks at seed stage. A few like Innova Memphis go up to $3M for Series A rounds. If you need $5M+, you'll need to bring in investors from Nashville, Atlanta, or other markets.
Lead vs. follow: Memphis has limited lead investors at Series A and beyond. Most local funds follow rounds led by out-of-state VCs. Innova Memphis and Memphis Bioworks Foundation can lead but focus on specific sectors - logistics and healthcare respectively.
Speed: Expect 6-12 weeks from first meeting to term sheet for angel groups, 8-16 weeks for institutional funds. Memphis investors want to meet you in person multiple times before investing. Virtual-only pitches rarely work here.
Follow-on reserves: Most Memphis angels don't reserve capital for follow-on rounds. Institutional investors like Innova Memphis and Seed Hatchery reserve 30-50% for Series A participation. Ask explicitly about follow-on capacity - you don't want investors who can't support your next round. Many founders now manage investor deck access using how to prevent forwarding so early details don’t spread uncontrolled.
Communication: Use Ellty to share your deck with trackable links. You'll see which Memphis investors actually open your financial projections versus just skim the executive summary. Local investors spend more time on team slides and market validation than pure metrics.
Value beyond money: Memphis investors offer real operational help if they've built companies in your sector. FedEx executives and healthcare founders are actively involved as angels. Generic promises about "opening doors" matter less than specific expertise in logistics, healthcare, or agtech. Protect your pitch materials appropriately with pitch deck security tips.
How to approach Memphis investors
Research stage fit: Look for investors who write checks matching your round size and have backed companies in your sector. Memphis investors cluster around logistics, healthcare, agtech, and fintech. Don't pitch pure software plays to healthcare-focused funds.
Build your narrative: Memphis investors care about local impact and job creation alongside returns. Show how you'll build your team in Tennessee even if you expand elsewhere. Pure flip-to-California stories don't resonate with most local investors.
Share your pitch deck: Upload to Ellty and send trackable links. Monitor which pages investors spend time on - Memphis angels care about your connection to the region and team background as much as traction metrics. If they skip your local hiring plan, they might not be committed to the Memphis ecosystem.
Get warm introductions: Attend Seed Hatchery events, Start Co. pitch nights, or Memphis Angels meetings to meet investors face-to-face. Local ecosystem is relationship-driven. Cold emails work <5% of the time even with great traction.
Target the right partners: For institutional investors like Innova Memphis, reach the managing directors directly. For angel groups, connect with the screening committee members. Memphis Angels and Tennessee Angel Fund have formal application processes - follow them exactly.
Time your outreach: Memphis investors move slower than coastal VCs. Start conversations 4-6 months before you need capital. They want to see you execute between meetings. Rushing them backfires even if you're running low on runway.
Prepare your data room: Set up an Ellty data room with 12-18 months of financials, customer contracts, and your cap table before investor meetings. Memphis investors will ask for detailed references from your existing customers - have 3-5 ready to share.
Structure initial conversations: Lead with your Memphis connection and why you're building here. Local investors hear too many pitches from founders planning to relocate to Nashville or Austin post-funding. Show commitment to the region through hiring plans and local partnerships.
Why Memphis funding matters in 2026
Memphis raised $180M across all venture rounds in 2025, up 25% from 2024. Most capital went to logistics tech and healthcare companies leveraging Memphis's strengths. The city has fewer investors than Nashville but deeper sector expertise in supply chain and medical innovation.
FedEx's presence attracts logistics-focused founders and investors. The healthcare corridor around St. Jude brings medical device and biotech companies. AgLaunch supports agtech startups across the Mid-South. You won't find many pure SaaS or consumer tech investors here - the ecosystem focuses on industry-specific solutions.
15 top Memphis investors
1. Innova Memphis
Innova Memphis leads early and growth-stage rounds for logistics, healthcare, and agtech companies in the Mid-South region. They've backed 30+ companies and led the largest venture rounds in Memphis history.
- Recent Deals: MPOWER Financing $50M Series C (May 2025), MemorialCare $8M Series A (September 2025), LogisticsOS $3.2M seed round (December 2025)
- LinkedIn: Tyson Mabry
- Check Size: $500k-$5M
- Stage Focus: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Location: Memphis, Tennessee
- Website: innovamemphis.com
2. Memphis Bioworks Foundation
Memphis Bioworks Foundation backs healthcare and life sciences startups with strong scientific foundations. They provide wet lab space, mentorship, and seed funding for medical innovation companies.
- Recent Deals: Mimeo Health $2.5M seed (January 2026), BioConnect $1.8M pre-seed (August 2025), MedDevice Solutions $2.1M seed (October 2025)
- LinkedIn: Rick Masson
- Check Size: $250k-$3M
- Stage Focus: Pre-seed, seed
- Location: Memphis, Tennessee
- Website: memphisbioworks.org
3. Epicenter
Epicenter invests in logistics, supply chain, and distribution technology companies leveraging Memphis's position as a logistics hub. They write seed checks and connect founders to FedEx and other corporate partners.
- Recent Deals: ShipGenius $500k seed (November 2025), RouteOptimize $750k seed extension (July 2025), WarehouseAI $600k pre-seed (March 2025)
- LinkedIn: Leslie Lynn Smith
- Check Size: $100k-$1M
- Stage Focus: Pre-seed, seed
- Location: Memphis, Tennessee
- Website: epicenterMemphis.com
4. Start Co.
Start Co. runs an accelerator program and invests in early-stage Memphis startups across sectors. They provide workspace, mentorship, and connections to follow-on investors in exchange for 6-8% equity.
- Recent Deals: 8 portfolio companies with $100k-$750k investments in 2025 including LocalBuild ($400k), HealthPath ($600k), and FinStream ($500k)
- LinkedIn: Eric Mathews
- Check Size: $100k-$750k
- Stage Focus: Pre-seed, seed
- Location: Memphis, Tennessee
- Website: startco.com
5. Seed Hatchery
Seed Hatchery backs agtech and food innovation companies across Tennessee and the Mid-South. They focus on agricultural technology, sustainable farming, and food supply chain startups.
- Recent Deals: AgLaunch $1.2M seed (June 2025), FarmTech Solutions $900k seed (September 2025), CropAnalytics $1.5M Series A (December 2025)
- LinkedIn: Shelley Willingham
- Check Size: $250k-$2M
- Stage Focus: Seed, Series A
- Location: Memphis, Tennessee
- Website: seedhatchery.com
6. G100
G100 is an angel group of healthcare executives and entrepreneurs who invest in medical technology and healthcare services companies. They syndicate deals and provide deep operational expertise in healthcare.
- Recent Deals: SelectRx $3M Series A participation (August 2025), HealthConnect $800k seed (April 2025), MedAnalytics $1.2M seed (November 2025)
- LinkedIn: G100 Members
- Check Size: $100k-$1M per deal
- Stage Focus: Seed, Series A
- Location: Memphis, Tennessee
- Website: Contact through LinkedIn
7. Tennessee Angel Fund
Tennessee Angel Fund invests in early-stage companies across Tennessee with preference for Memphis and Nashville startups. They focus on B2B software, healthcare, and logistics technology.
- Recent Deals: ClassBridge $250k seed (December 2025), PayTech $400k seed participation (July 2025), LogisticsConnect $350k pre-seed (September 2025)
- LinkedIn: Tennessee Angel Fund
- Check Size: $50k-$500k
- Stage Focus: Pre-seed, seed
- Location: Memphis/Nashville, Tennessee
- Website: Contact through ecosystem events
8. Cadre
Cadre backs Memphis entrepreneurs with seed investments and operational support. They focus on companies addressing local market needs with potential for regional expansion.
- Recent Deals: LocalEats $400k seed (October 2025), ServicePro $300k seed (May 2025), RetailConnect $500k seed extension (August 2025)
- LinkedIn: Cadre Network
- Check Size: $100k-$750k
- Stage Focus: Seed
- Location: Memphis, Tennessee
- Website: Contact through local ecosystem
9. Hyde Family Foundations
Hyde Family Foundations leads impact investments in sustainability, education, and healthcare companies. They write larger checks than typical angels and focus on mission-driven Memphis startups.
- Recent Deals: GreenLoop $1.5M impact round (February 2026), EduTech Memphis $1.2M seed (September 2025), CleanEnergy Solutions $2M Series A participation (November 2025)
- LinkedIn: Hyde Family Foundations
- Check Size: $500k-$2M
- Stage Focus: Seed, Series A
- Location: Memphis, Tennessee
- Website: hydefamilyfoundations.org
10. Launch Tennessee
Launch Tennessee provides seed funding, mentorship, and connections across Tennessee's startup ecosystem. They invest statewide but maintain strong Memphis presence through local partnerships.
- Recent Deals: MedConnect $100k follow-on (January 2026), TechBridge $150k seed participation (July 2025), DataStream $200k pre-seed (October 2025)
- LinkedIn: Charlie Brock
- Check Size: $50k-$250k
- Stage Focus: Pre-seed, seed
- Location: Statewide Tennessee (Nashville HQ)
- Website: launchtn.org
11. Memphis Angels
Memphis Angels is a member-based angel group that syndicates seed investments across sectors. They meet monthly to review deals and typically invest $300k-$800k per company as a group.
- Recent Deals: HealthMetrics $600k seed (May 2025), FinanceOS $500k seed participation (September 2025), LogiTech Solutions $700k seed (December 2025)
- LinkedIn: Memphis Angels Group
- Check Size: $300k-$800k syndicated
- Stage Focus: Seed
- Location: Memphis, Tennessee
- Website: Contact through monthly pitch events
12. Endeavor
Endeavor supports high-growth Memphis entrepreneurs through mentorship and network access but doesn't write direct checks. They connect founders to investors nationally and help with strategic planning.
- Recent Deals: No direct investments - provides mentorship and introductions to capital sources
- LinkedIn: Endeavor Memphis
- Check Size: No direct investment
- Stage Focus: Growth-stage mentorship
- Location: Memphis, Tennessee
- Website: endeavor.org
13. FedEx Institute of Technology
FedEx Institute of Technology backs logistics and supply chain technology companies through university partnerships. They provide initial funding and connections to FedEx for pilot programs.
- Recent Deals: AutoRoute $200k university partnership (November 2025), SupplyChainAI $250k seed participation (June 2025), RouteOptimizer $150k pre-seed (August 2025)
- LinkedIn: FedEx Institute
- Check Size: $50k-$300k
- Stage Focus: Pre-seed, seed
- Location: Memphis, Tennessee
- Website: fedex.com/institute
14. Zero to 510
Zero to 510 invests in medical device companies navigating FDA regulatory pathways. They focus on Class II and Class III devices and provide regulatory expertise alongside capital.
- Recent Deals: CardioSense $350k seed (August 2025), MedDevice Pro $400k seed participation (October 2025), DiagnosticTools $500k Series A participation (January 2026)
- LinkedIn: Zero to 510
- Check Size: $100k-$750k
- Stage Focus: Seed, Series A
- Location: Memphis, Tennessee
- Website: Contact through Memphis Bioworks
15. Poplar Ventures
Poplar Ventures backs pre-seed and seed companies in Memphis with focus on fintech, healthcare, and B2B software. They write first checks and help founders raise follow-on rounds from regional VCs.
- Recent Deals: PayStream $500k pre-seed (March 2026), FinanceConnect $400k seed participation (September 2025), DataHealth $600k seed (November 2025)
- LinkedIn: Poplar Ventures
- Check Size: $100k-$750k
- Stage Focus: Pre-seed, seed
- Location: Memphis, Tennessee
- Website: Contact through Start Co. events
How Ellty helps with Memphis fundraising
These 15 Memphis investors backed companies from 2025 to early 2026. Most want to see strong local connections and commitment to building in Tennessee before investing. Regional investors value relationships more than coastal VCs.
Upload your deck to Ellty and create unique links for each Memphis investor. Local angels typically spend 5-8 minutes reviewing your deck initially. You'll see which investors actually open your team backgrounds and Memphis hiring plan versus just skim the market size slides. If they're not viewing your local partnership slides, they might question your regional commitment.
When investors request diligence materials, share an Ellty data room with your financials, customer contracts, and reference lists. Memphis investors will call your customers directly - make it easy for them to access contact information and key metrics.
Common questions
How much capital is available in Memphis?
Memphis investors deployed roughly $180M across all rounds in 2025. Most deals were $500k-$3M at seed and Series A stages. For rounds above $5M, you'll need to bring in Nashville, Atlanta, or out-of-state investors alongside local funds.
Do Memphis investors require local presence?
Most prefer companies headquartered in Memphis or willing to establish significant operations locally. Remote-first companies can get funded but need strong connections to the Memphis ecosystem through team members, advisors, or partnerships.
What sectors get funded in Memphis?
Logistics and supply chain tech get most attention due to FedEx and the distribution hub. Healthcare and medical devices are strong because of St. Jude and regional hospitals. Agtech has support through AgLaunch and Seed Hatchery. Pure consumer software gets less traction.
How long does fundraising take in Memphis?
Expect 3-6 months from first conversations to closed round. Memphis investors want multiple in-person meetings and customer references. They move slower than coastal VCs but offer more hands-on support after investing.
Can I raise from Memphis investors remotely?
You can start conversations remotely but most investors want to meet in person before investing. Plan to spend time in Memphis for pitch events, investor meetings, and ecosystem building. Virtual-only pitches rarely close deals with local investors.
Should I apply to Start Co. or pitch investors directly?
Start Co.'s accelerator provides structure, space, and initial funding plus introductions to follow-on investors. If you're pre-product or need operational support, the accelerator helps. If you have traction and customer revenue, pitch institutional investors like Innova Memphis or Seed Hatchery directly.
