Memphis Bioworks Foundation
Memphis Bioworks Foundation is a Memphis-based 501(c)(3) non-profit that drives Mid-South bioscience economic development through an integrated platform comprising a business incubator, the ZeroTo510 medical device accelerator, specialized wet-lab facilities, investment and consulting services, and workforce training programs, serving entrepreneurs, workforce candidates, and research institutions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersMemphis, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Memphis Bioworks Foundation does
Memphis Bioworks Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2001 and headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, focused on bioscience economic development across the Mid-South region. Its functional mission spans three intertwined programs: entrepreneurship support for bioscience ventures, workforce development for residents, and convening infrastructure for the regional research ecosystem. The organization employs between 11 and 50 staff and serves bioscience entrepreneurs, workforce candidates, and research institutions and companies as its principal customer segments.
The Foundation operates an integrated stack of products and services. On the entrepreneurship side, it runs the Bioworks Business Incubator for early-stage bioscience ventures and the ZeroTo510 medical device accelerator, a specialized program for companies pursuing FDA-regulated commercialization. Supporting infrastructure includes the TriMetis Specialized Laboratory, which provides wet-lab capacity to regional researchers and startups, alongside Investment Services and Consulting Services for portfolio companies. On the workforce side, the Foundation delivers Ready to Work Training, Strengthening Working Families, and Memphis Clean Green Job Training. The portfolio's regulatory specialization is evidenced by ZeroTo510 graduate SweetBio receiving FDA clearance in May 2019.
As a non-profit, Memphis Bioworks does not generate revenue in the commercial sense. Its operating budget is funded through philanthropic contributions, corporate support, and state and federal grants, and its value proposition to funders is the regional economic and workforce impact of bioscience venture creation. The leadership transitioned in April 2019, when founder Dr. Steve Bares retired and Brandon Wellford assumed the President and Executive Director role. No direct revenue figures are disclosed in the available sources.
Memphis Bioworks Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Memphis Bioworks Foundation
- Legal name
- Memphis Bioworks Foundation
- Website
- https://memphisbioworks.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Memphis Bioworks Foundation is a Memphis-based 501(c)(3) non-profit that drives Mid-South bioscience economic development through an integrated platform comprising a business incubator, the ZeroTo510 medical device accelerator, specialized wet-lab facilities, investment and consulting services, and workforce training programs, serving entrepreneurs, workforce candidates, and research institutions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Memphis Bioworks Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Bioscience Economic Development Services
- NAICS
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Entrepreneurship, Startup Incubation & Pitch Programs (EDAMAKAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Entrepreneurship & Small Business Workforce Programs (EDAAAOAM), Entrepreneurship Foundations & Startup Basics (EDAMAHAA), After-School, Tutoring & Academic Enrichment Nonprofits (BPAGADAC)
Keywords
Where Memphis Bioworks Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Memphis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Memphis Bioworks Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Memphis Bioworks Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Memphis Bioworks Foundation provides bioscience economic development services through an integrated ecosystem spanning entrepreneurship support (business incubator, medical device accelerator, investment, consulting), specialized laboratory facilities (TriMetis), and workforce training programs in bioscience, IT, and environmental technology. The organization serves early-stage bioscience entrepreneurs, companies needing research infrastructure, and individuals seeking free job training in life sciences and related fields across the Mid-South region.
Product overview
Memphis Bioworks Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering a portfolio of interconnected bioscience and life sciences programs rather than a unified commercial product. The portfolio includes the Bioworks Business Incubator for early-stage company support, the ZeroTo510 Accelerator for medical device startups, Investment Services and Consulting Services for funding and advisory support, and the TriMetis Specialized Laboratory providing shared research facilities. Workforce development offerings include Ready to Work Training for bioscience and IT careers, Strengthening Working Families (Department of Labor grant program), and Memphis Clean Green Job Training for environmental tech careers. Together, these programs form an integrated ecosystem supporting the full lifecycle of bioscience entrepreneurship from training and incubation through acceleration and investment.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ZeroTo510: Medical device accelerator program
- Bioworks Business Incubator
- TriMetis Specialized Laboratory
Products and services
- Bioworks Business Incubator Business incubator providing support, resources, and mentorship to early-stage bioscience and life sciences companies in Memphis.
- ZeroTo510 Accelerator
Companies that use Memphis Bioworks Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Memphis Bioworks Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Memphis Bioworks Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalRecent moves5 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Memphis Bioworks Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- MassBio: Massachusetts' largest biotech industry association with broad advocacy, networking, and member services across a mature biotech cluster. Comparable as a major bioscience industry trade body, though larger and broader in scope than Memphis Bioworks.
- Georgia Research Alliance: Non-profit that recruits and supports eminent research scholars to Georgia universities and helps commercialize university research. Comparable as a research-driven state economic development organization, though focused on university research rather than independent startups.
Emerging players
- Matter: Chicago-based healthcare/medical device accelerator and incubator supporting startups in digital health, medical devices, and life sciences. Comparable as a medical-device-focused accelerator similar to the ZeroTo510 program, though operating in a larger market.
Direct peers
- BioEnterprise (now JumpStart Health): Cleveland-based former bioscience business accelerator and seed investor that supported Northeast Ohio medtech and biotech startups. Directly comparable historical peer as a regional bioscience economic development and startup support organization.
- BioOhio: Ohio's non-profit bioscience industry association providing advocacy, networking, talent development, and acceleration support for biotech companies. Comparable as a state-level bioscience economic development and industry association.
- BioGenerator: St. Louis-based non-profit life sciences incubator and investment organization that supports bioscience startups with lab space, funding, and mentoring. Closely comparable to Memphis Bioworks in mission, structure, and bioscience start-up support model.
- NC Biotechnology Center: State-level non-profit economic development organization that drives bioscience industry growth across North Carolina through grants, loans, and programming. Directly comparable in mission as a state/regional bioscience economic development engine.
Others
- LaunchCode: St. Louis-based non-profit that provides free technical training and job placement, and is headquartered in the same Mid-South-adjacent ecosystem as Memphis Bioworks. Comparable as a workforce development non-profit, though focused on software rather than bioscience.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Memphis Bioworks Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceMemphis Bioworks Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Memphis Bioworks Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Memphis Bioworks Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Memphis Bioworks Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Memphis Bioworks Foundation
What does Memphis Bioworks Foundation do?
Memphis Bioworks Foundation provides bioscience economic development services through an integrated ecosystem spanning entrepreneurship support (business incubator, medical device accelerator, investment, consulting), specialized laboratory facilities (TriMetis), and workforce training programs in bioscience, IT, and environmental technology. The organization serves early-stage bioscience entrepreneurs, companies needing research infrastructure, and individuals seeking free job training in life sciences and related fields across the Mid-South region.
Is Memphis Bioworks Foundation a public or private company?
Memphis Bioworks Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Memphis Bioworks Foundation founded?
Memphis Bioworks Foundation was founded in 2001. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Memphis Bioworks Foundation based?
Memphis Bioworks Foundation is headquartered in Memphis, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Memphis Bioworks Foundation's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are MassBio and Georgia Research Alliance. Matter is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are BioEnterprise (now JumpStart Health), BioOhio, BioGenerator and NC Biotechnology Center. LaunchCode is listed as an others.
Does Memphis Bioworks Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Memphis Bioworks Foundation.
What industry is Memphis Bioworks Foundation in?
Memphis Bioworks Foundation's product category is Bioscience Economic Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMAKAK, Entrepreneurship, Startup Incubation & Pitch Programs, with a secondary code of EDAAAOAM, Entrepreneurship & Small Business Workforce Programs. Its NAICS code is 541714 and its SIC code is 8731.