Memphis Innovation Bootcamp

The Mid-South’s premier innovation training experience, the Memphis Innovation Bootcamp, is back for its 14th year, bringing together changemakers from the region’s corporate, nonprofit, government, and healthcare sectors to tackle real-world challenges through the power of Design Thinking.

Led by Epic Pivot and Edit Media and hosted by the Crews Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Memphis, this two-day, hands-on experience offers more than a crash course in innovation. It cultivates a lasting community of forward-thinking leaders, grounded in one of the world’s most respected innovation frameworks.

The bootcamp challenges participants to step outside their silos, collaborate across sectors, and apply human-centered design to solve complex problems that matter in methodology modeled after Stanford’s renowned d.school but rooted in Memphis grit.

Why it matters:

• For companies: A chance to invest in your team’s creative problem-solving capacity, equipping them with tools that fuel growth and adaptability.

• For nonprofits: An opportunity to drive greater impact by reframing old challenges with fresh perspective.

• For the city: A breeding ground for the next generation of civic and business innovators.

The event is led by veteran facilitators from Epic Pivot, Edit Media, and the Mayor’s Office, who guide teams through an immersive, fast-paced design challenge. By the end of the two days, attendees walk away not just with skills—but a new mindset and network to spark transformation in their work and communities.

“Innovation isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. The Memphis Innovation Bootcamp equips corporate teams with the mindset and tools to stay competitive, break down silos, and spark new ideas. Every year, we see organizations leave with real solutions and a renewed culture of innovation.”
— Michael Graber, Managing Partner at Epic Pivot

“We’re proud to host the Memphis Innovation Bootcamp at the Crews Center because it reflects everything we stand for—collaboration, creativity, and real-world impact. This is where students, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders come together to turn ideas into action and build a more innovative Memphis.”
— Whitney Hardy, Director, Crews Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Memphis