Above: Teddy Pejoski, Blueprint CEO
In fall 2019, the UMRF Research Park hosted three CEOs from around the world for a month-long business incubation experience.
The University of Memphis Research Park was one of just seven research institutions across the country to serve as a host site for the inaugural Global Innovation through Science and Technology Business Incubation, a month-long proof of concept program.
The program was created to promote and support innovators in international science
and technology who are aiming to expand their startup companies into the U.S. market.
As part of the program, entrepreneurs were provided the opportunity to improve and
build business plans, fine-tune ideas and discover the perfect potential market for
their product.
Entrepreneurs also had the ability to build a network in their assigned market. Recognizing a unique opportunity for potential partnerships, the UofM created an initiative to offer international companies space within the Research Park and a chance for a soft landing into the U.S. market.
“We are incredibly honored to have been selected by the U.S. Department of State as a host site for the 2019 GIST cohort,” said Ted Townsend, chief economic development and government relations officer for the University of Memphis. “This serves as continued validation of the UMRF Research Park as a strategic, University-based, public-private hub for startup business maturation and recognizes the deep partnerships of the Memphis entrepreneurship ecosystem.
GIST Business Incubation brought three entrepreneurs from across the world — Olzhas Satiyev of WebTotem, Teddy Pejoski of Blueprint and Bourzhan Shalbayev of Clicklog — to the University. The three were among just 30 in a pool of 600 applicants who were selected to participate at one of the host sites.
WebTotem is an Estonian-based security operation platform designed to protect websites
and applications for businesses and agencies of all sizes. Satiyev has served as CEO
since 2017. Pejoski, based in Macedonia, is CEO of Blueprint — a company that’s making
it possible for non-technical users to create complex web applications in minutes
rather than months. Shalbayev’s Clicklog, based in Kazakhstan, provides automated
dimensioning and optimal plans for loading cargo onto trucks and containers.
The entrepreneurs spent Oct. 14-Nov. 8 at the selected sites before convening in Washington D.C. for an additional two-week incubation program.
What they had to say
Teddy Pejoski, Blueprint CEO
“The level of support that we got from UofM was truly amazing. We are already thinking about moving our headquarters here. The overall experience has been nothing but exceptional.”
Bourzhan Shalbayev, Clicklog CEO
“Our everyday schedule at the UofM was full of meetings with recognized experts from technical and legal advisors to entrepreneurs and corporation executives. By participating in local networking events, observation tours and open lectures, I gained more than 50 new relevant business contacts.”
Olzhas Satiyev, WebTotem CEO
"The atmosphere at the UofM is very comfortable for a startup. Everything you need is here. I also had my first experience attending an American football game, and it was a real show. Go Tigers Go!”
