Arkansas & Jonesboro
A-State Partners with Epicenter Memphis to Launch EpicenterU Student Entrepreneurship Initiative
A-State Partners to Launch a New Student Entrepreneurship Initiative
Arkansas State University announces a partnership with Epicenter Memphis to launch EpicenterU: Students to Startups — a university-based entrepreneurship program supported by the Delta Regional Authority, expanding hands-on learning, mentorship, and funding opportunities for students with business ideas.
EpicenterU opens new doors for A-State students to build an entrepreneurial mindset
EpicenterU: Students to Startups is designed to build the next generation of creators and founders across the Delta region. As a founding university partner, A-State will bring the program into its academic environment, helping students develop ideas, validate business models, and gradually build projects with real growth potential.
The initiative emphasizes experiential learning, connecting students with mentors, business networks, funding, and opportunities to pitch their ideas. This approach aligns with A-State's goal of linking education with innovation, applied research, and regional economic development.
Learning entrepreneurship in a more hands-on way
EpicenterU focuses on equipping students with the skills, networks, and resources needed to turn ideas into projects with real growth potential.
Business idea development
Students gain access to foundational concepts in innovation, design thinking, and identifying problems that can be solved through a business model.
Customer Discovery
The program helps students learn how to validate market needs, listen to customers, and refine their business hypotheses before scaling up.
Expert mentorship
Students are connected with Experts-in-Residence, experienced mentors, and support networks from businesses, universities, and the entrepreneurship community.
Access to funding
EpicenterU includes capital readiness content, helping students understand how to prepare their projects to approach funders and investors.
Building scalable startups
The long-term goal is to help validated ideas grow into startups capable of raising capital, scaling, and creating economic value.
Contributing to the Delta region
The program encourages students to build their careers and businesses right in the region, helping strengthen the local economy for the community.
EpicenterU's roadmap unfolds across multiple phases
According to A-State, EpicenterU is a four-year academic initiative, starting with program development and rolling out curriculum content, through to fellowships and regional pitching opportunities.
Design and launch
Program development, curriculum design, and rollout on campus.
Comprehensive training
Rollout of Design Thinking, Customer Discovery, and Capital Readiness modules, combined with Experts-in-Residence and fellowship selection.
Fellowship and startup development
Fellows receive annual support, company development funding, in-depth mentorship, and regional pitch/showcase opportunities.
A partnership model linking the university with the innovation ecosystem
EpicenterU showcases how A-State connects education, research, business, mentorship, and economic development resources in one highly applied program.
A-State's role
As founding university partner, A-State is committed to providing campus space, faculty involvement, program communications, and alumni network connections to support students and fellows.
- Creating an experiential learning environment for entrepreneurship.
- Connecting students with faculty, mentors, and the alumni network.
- Bringing innovation into the fabric of campus academic life.
The role of Epicenter Memphis and the DRA
Epicenter Memphis is a nonprofit organization supporting the entrepreneurship ecosystem across the Delta region, while the DRA invests in projects that create long-term economic impact, including business development and workforce training.
- Epicenter provides programming, capital, and community for startups.
- The DRA provides financial support to help expand the EpicenterU initiative.
- The shared goal is to build a pipeline of young founders across the Delta region.
Strengthening experiential learning and innovation at A-State
EpicenterU complements the educational direction of the Neil Griffin College of Business and expands opportunities for students across many disciplines to engage with entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation.
As a public research university and regional talent development hub, A-State continues to advance initiatives that connect classroom learning with research, business, and real-world problem-solving.
Interested in Business, Management, or Entrepreneurship programs at A-State?
The Arkansas State University Vietnam Recruitment Office helps students explore the right program, admission requirements, tuition, scholarships, and the application process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is EpicenterU: Students to Startups?
EpicenterU: Students to Startups is a university-based entrepreneurship program designed to help students grow from having an idea to becoming founders with projects ready to raise capital and scale.
What role does A-State play in EpicenterU?
Arkansas State University participates as a founding university partner, helping implement the program on campus, connecting faculty, learning spaces, program communications, and the alumni network.
Who is funding the program?
EpicenterU is supported by nearly $812,000 in funding from the Delta Regional Authority, provided through Epicenter Memphis.
What support can students receive through EpicenterU?
Students can access training in Design Thinking, Customer Discovery, and Capital Readiness, expert mentorship, fellowship opportunities, company development funding, and regional pitch/showcase events.
How can I learn more about programs at A-State?
Students and parents in Vietnam can contact the Arkansas State University Vietnam Recruitment Office by email at study@astate.edu.vn or request advising at https://www.astate.edu.vn/lien-he/.
This article was translated from Vietnamese and is being reviewed by our admissions team.
