Entrepreneurs get boost for independent thinking at Investors Forum

LaunchMemphis gathering encourages startups

A month ago, Martin Dinstuhl was an unemployed guy getting by on gumption and a goal.

By midday Friday, the 35-year-old was still out of work, but his dream of developing a successful online company nudged closer to reality.

Dinstuhl was one of a half-dozen local entrepreneurs selected to participate in the second annual LaunchMemphis Investors Forum.

It's a half-day speed-dating style of event introducing inventors with cool ideas to investors with deep pockets.

"This is a clearinghouse for great ideas," said Oscar Atkinson, director of business development at SEACAP Financial. "Putting entrepreneurs in touch with investors benefits Memphis as a whole."

The program, held at FedEx Institute of Technology, offered entrepreneurs and startup companies a structured setting to pitch ideas to venture capitalists and angel investors, one-on-one, in 10-minute blocks. And while there were no funding guarantees, the opportunities for budding business moguls to rub shoulders with established moneymakers were assured.

Dinstuhl's pitch: A soon-to-launch Web site where visitors upload menus and rate items from their favorite restaurants.

"It helps diners choose where to spend their money," said Dinstuhl, who recently lost his job as a software developer at FedEx. "For example, if you're looking for the best vegan dishes in the city, click on our site and read recommendations from people who like that kind of food and suggest where to eat."

Dinstuhl unveiled his plan just three weeks ago during the LaunchMemphis "Startup Weekend," a marathon exercise during which entrepreneurs work to create viable companies and develop networking opportunities.

But his proposal impressed the organization's leaders, who offered him the chance to try to woo investors.

"Getting my idea out there and being able to discuss it with investors is a great opportunity," Dinstuhl said. "I've wanted to start my own company for a long time, so when I got laid off I thought maybe now is the moment to try. The forum is giving me that chance."

LeeAnn Christopherson, who founded Dream Team Nursery three years ago, used the event to spread the word about her already established business.

"I need additional funding to take my business to the next level," said Christopherson, whose company specializes in officially licensed decor for baby nurseries. "The great thing here is that there are entrepreneurs and investors together at one time.

The forum was a streamlined version of last year's forum, which lasted twice as long and included about twice as many participants.

"I'm thrilled to be able to say that we were able to come back for another year, and I'm optimistic that we'll be doing this for a long time to come," said Spencer Dillard, a finance and technology consultant and one of the Launch-Memphis founders. "This is a way to brand our community as a hotbed of entrepreneurship."

Gwin Scott, president of Emerge Memphis, a nonprofit business incubator, agreed.

"I'm encouraged and inspired by the enthusiasm I've seen here today," Scott said. "The startup scene in Memphis is vital and vibrant and investors are taking notice."

For more information, visit online at launchmemphis.com

-- James Dowd: 529-2737

LaunchMemphis

Founded: 2008

Status: Nonprofit

Purpose: Encourage and unite the Memphis entrepreneurial community

Impact: More than a half-dozen startups have been generated or accelerated as a result of the group

Web: launchmemphis.com