10 Institutions Now Make Up Mid-South Regional Ecosystem

The University of Memphis recently became the newest — and westernmost — addition to Tennessee’s innovation corridor, joining the National Science Foundation’s Mid-South Innovation Corps (I-Corps) Hub, one of 13 such hubs spanning the country that combines STEM ideas with a startup mentality to shift products out of the laboratory and into the marketplace.

The I-Corps designation opens doors for the UofM to collaborate with other academic institutions, creating an environment ripe for researchers and ready for entrepreneurs. 

“A research-driven entrepreneurial ecosystem is a hallmark of cities that lead through innovation.”

-Cody Behles

“A research-driven entrepreneurial ecosystem is a hallmark of cities that lead through innovation,” said Cody Behles, executive director of research and innovation development at the University of Memphis. “Partnering with the universities in the Mid-South I-Corps hub will unlock a collaborative network that will advance both the research of the UofM and our ability to translate the value of research for industry.”

By joining the Mid-South I-Corps Hub, the UofM is poised to become a key player in the region’s innovation landscape. As an R1 institution, Goal 4 of the University of Memphis’s Ascend strategic plan is to strengthen its research enterprise. To achieve that, the UofM has focused on increasing its research capacity, including through external partnerships such as the I-Corps Hub.

Along with Vanderbilt University, the I-Corps Hub consists of the University of Virginia, Jackson State University, George Mason University, Meharry Medical College, Tennessee State University, the University of Louisville, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and the University of Kentucky. The NSF designated The Wond’ry as an I-Corps site in 2017, selecting it to lead the Mid-South I-Corps Hub in 2022.

“Bringing the University of Memphis into the Mid-South I-Corps Hub strengthens our commitment to inclusive innovation across Tennessee and the region, serving as a gateway to the Mississippi Delta and the Heartland,” said Charleson Bell, research assistant professor of biomedical engineering, director of entrepreneurship and biomedical innovation, and director of the Mid-South Innovation Corps Hub. “This addition isn’t just about growing our numbers; it’s about uniting our expertise, perspectives, and resources to drive real change for the communities we serve. Together, we’re building an innovation ecosystem where everyone has a stake in creating prosperity and transforming ideas into impactful, sustainable ventures.”

In addition to enhancing regional collaboration among academic institutions and providing resources and training to support the commercialization of research, the Mid-South I-Corps Hub aims to stimulate economic growth and development through innovation while fostering an inclusive environment for diverse innovators and entrepreneurs.