Jonesboro, AR – Contributed – Arkansas State University on Thursday announced a new partnership with Epicenter Memphis to launch EpicenterU: Students to Startups, a university-based entrepreneurship program supported by an approximately $800,000 grant from the Delta Regional Authority (DRA).
Designed to build the next generation of innovators across the Delta region, EpicenterU will be implemented at A-State as a founding university partner, expanding hands-on entrepreneurship education and creating new pathways for students to develop, launch, and scale venture-ready ideas while strengthening regional economic development.
“The Delta region is home to extraordinary talent, and EpicenterU is our commitment to ensuring that talent has every opportunity to flourish right here at home. With the support of the Delta Regional Authority, we can now build a sustainable pipeline of homegrown founders who will create jobs, attract capital, and strengthen communities across the region,” said Anthony Young, President and CEO, Epicenter Memphis.
Epicenter Memphis was awarded nearly $812,000 from the DRA to support program-related activities for EpicenterU. This investment will bolster economic development within the Delta region by building a strong and competitive pipeline of young entrepreneurs.
“The Delta Regional Authority is committed to investing in programs that create lasting economic impact across the Delta region,” said Dr. Corey Wiggins, DRA Federal Co-Chairman. “By connecting aspiring entrepreneurs to training, mentorship and real capital, EpicenterU will help build a foundation for a more innovative and resilient regional economy.”
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“Arkansas State University is excited to partner with Epicenter and the Delta Regional Authority to prepare students for the challenges and opportunities of the modern economy,” said Luna Acosta, director of technology transfer at Arkansas State University. “EpicenterU gives our students hands-on entrepreneurship training, access to experienced mentors, and the funding to pursue their ideas. It strengthens our ability to connect students with the skills, mentorship and networks needed to turn ideas into viable ventures while building economic momentum across the Delta.”
Dr. Jim Washam, dean of the Neil Griffin College of Business, noted, “This partnership reflects how we think about business education at A-State. “EpicenterU complements our Bachelor of Science degree in entrepreneurial management and strategic leadership while expanding experiential learning opportunities. Just as importantly, it creates new pathways for students from across the university to engage with entrepreneurship, leadership and innovation. We believe this program will not only launch new businesses but inspire a generation of students to build their futures here.”
A-State’s vice provost for research, innovation and discovery, Dr. Travis Marsico, added, “This partnership between A-State and Epicenter is so important to us because it represents the first step in our research strategy to grow commercialization and entrepreneurship in our region. This is an excellent opportunity to learn and connect with a regional leader, and we are excited about this program and what is to come.”
About EpicenterU: Students to Startups
EpicenterU is designed to transform undergraduate students into venture-ready founders through a multi-phase initiative spanning four academic years.
The program equips young innovators with the skills, capital access, and mentorship needed to launch high-growth, scalable companies while creating meaningful pathways to stay and build in the Delta.
The program unfolds in three phases:
- Year One: Program development, curriculum design, and campus launches
- Year Two: Full curriculum delivery including Design Thinking, Customer Discovery, and Capital Readiness modules alongside Experts-in-Residence engagement and competitive fellowship recruitment
- Years Three and Four: Fellowship implementation, with selected fellows receiving $40,000 annual stipends, up to $7,500 in Company Development Funds, dedicated mentorship, and regional pitch and showcase opportunities
Some of the outcomes of the program will include exposing students to entrepreneurship fundamentals, supporting validated business concepts developed by fellows, launching investable startups and attracting capital to those companies, and strengthening partnerships among universities, industry, and funders across the Delta.
A Regional Partnership Model
Arkansas State University joins Epicenter as a founding university partner, committing to provide on-campus space, faculty engagement, program marketing, and alumni network access to support students and fellows. The collaboration reflects a shared vision of embedding entrepreneurship directly into academic life across the Delta Region.
Building on a successful Patents to Products (P2P) program at the University of Memphis, EpicenterU is now scaling to Arkansas State University, with a long-term vision to expand across the Delta.
About Epicenter Memphis
Epicenter is a nonprofit entrepreneurship hub dedicated to growing and connecting the Delta’s innovative entrepreneurial ecosystem. Located in the heart of downtown Memphis, Epicenter provides programming, capital, and community for startups and innovators across the region. More information is available here.
About the Delta Regional Authority
The DRA was established in 2000 as a formal framework for joint federal-state collaboration to promote and encourage the economic development of the lower Mississippi River and Alabama Black Belt regions.
To fulfill this purpose, DRA invests in projects supporting transportation infrastructure, basic public infrastructure, workforce training, and business development. DRA’s region encompasses 255 counties and parishes in parts of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee.
About Arkansas State University
Arkansas State University (A-State) is a public research institution classified as “Research 2: High Research Spending and Doctorate Production” by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. A-State is thriving, and it welcomed its largest freshman class in history during the fall of 2025.
As a regional hub for innovation and talent development, A‑State emphasizes experiential learning that connects students with faculty-led research, entrepreneurship, and real-world problem solving. Through initiatives that integrate academics and industry partnerships, A-State prepares students to launch ventures, contribute to a skilled workforce, and drive economic growth across Arkansas and the Delta region.
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