Innova, a Memphis-based early-stage venture capital firm, will celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week 2010 with the launch of monthly Entrepreneur Office Hours. This program aims to parlay Innova’s experience with startup and early-stage companies into meaningful assistance for the Memphis entrepreneurial community by offering guidance on issues from business plans to acquisitions and by potentially investing in promising ventures.

As its inaugural session, Innova will host Catfish Tank, a Southern twist on the popular Shark Tank TV show, on November 17th. For this kickoff event, other professional investors will join Innova to hear entrepreneurs pitch their ideas or companies, ask questions and provide constructive feedback to presenting individuals. Innova and other panelists will also offer advice on forming companies, commercializing products, raising capital and addressing many of the other issues entrepreneurs encounter. For Catfish Tank, entrepreneur pitches and investor feedback will take place in front of other presenters. The audience will also be open to anyone wishing to see examples of presentations and hear investor feedback but not present.

After this launch event, Innova continue its Entrepreneur Office Hours Program by hosting monthly sessions during which the Innova team will listen to entrepreneurs pitching their ideas or businesses and offer guidance and feedback. Entrepreneurs who present during Office Hours will be encouraged to pitch again at future sessions to discuss how they have incorporated the suggestions and to provide updates on their endeavors. As entrepreneurs develop their ideas, some may be invited to meet with Innova outside the Office Hours setting to discuss the possibility of investment. A schedule of Office Hours sessions after Catfish Tank and details about how to participate will be posted on the Innova website.

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Catfish Tank will be held on the first floor of 20 South Dudley Street, Memphis, TN 38103, from 1-5pm on November 17. Parking will be available free of charge in the adjacent garage on the corner of Union Avenue and Dudley Street. A networking reception will follow the pitches.

Guidelines for pitching are available here. There is no cost to attend or pitch at the event, however, anyone wishing to attend as either a presenter or an audience member should RSVP by calling 901.866.1433. Questions may be directed to the same number. You may also email questions to Charlie Crawford at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .