Welcome to Memphis
the Future of Innovation
Message from Mayor Paul Young
A city that moves the world
from global logistics to frontier innovation
Prioritized Clusters
Logistics, Trade, and Global Commerce
Memphis is a global logistics powerhouse, anchored by FedEx’s world headquarters and global air hub, one of the most sophisticated multimodal freight networks in the world, and direct access to river, rail, road, and air infrastructure. The region is also emerging as a leader in supply chain resilience, automation, and trade-enabled innovation, offering valuable insights into how logistics ecosystems can adapt to evolving global commerce dynamics.
Advanced Mobility and Electrification
The region’s leadership in advanced mobility is being reshaped by advanced battery innovation at Amplify Cell Technologies and SK Innovation as well as the Industry University Cooperative Research Center at the University of Memphis. The region is seeing high-end manufacturing and supply chain innovations within the electrification spectrum. The city of Memphis has also coordinated industry and academic research and development investments across the full value chain of mobility solutions. Memphis is prime for this activity with its global leading supply chain, logistics, and geographic atributes.
Artificial Intelligence and Frontier Technologies
Memphis is rapidly positioning itself as a hub for frontier technologies and applied innovation, underscored by xAI’s major supercomputing investment in the region. AI applications are expanding across key sectors—including logistics optimization, healthcare delivery, public services, and advanced analytics—demonstrating how emerging technologies can be deployed at scale to improve efficiency, competitiveness, and decision-making.
Healthcare and Life Sciences
With world-class institutions such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Regional One Health, Memphis has a globally recognized healthcare and life sciences ecosystem. The region’s strengths span clinical research, medical devices, biotechnology, and health equity, providing ACE delegates with insights into innovation models that integrate research excellence, commercialization, and community impact.
Ag Innovation and Food Systems
Memphis’ agricultural innovation ecosystem is supported by Agricenter International, AgLaunch, and close proximity to the Mississippi Delta, one of the most productive agricultural regions in the Americas. Combined with the strategic advantages of the Port of Memphis, the region offers a powerful platform for advancing agtech, sustainable food systems, and global agricultural trade.
These clusters reflect both Memphis’ legacy strengths and its future-facing growth strategy, offering ACE delegates relevant, transferable insights into how regions can align infrastructure, talent, and capital to compete globally.
Why Memphis, Why Now?
- Memphis sits at the convergence of three states, five Class I railroads, the Mississippi River, and the second-busiest cargo airport in the world, placing it at the heart of the global economy.
- In a time of global transition, Memphis stands out as a city rewriting the rules of economic development and as a high-growth region actively shaping the future of logistics, advanced manufacturing, electrification, artificial intelligence, and health innovation.
- Memphis stands apart as one of the most strategically positioned and globally connected cities in the United States and is widely recognized as the logistics capital of the country. Home to FedEx’s global hub, a multimodal freight system, and extensive infrastructure supporting international trade.
- With over $10 billion in recent investments in electrification, research, infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing, Memphis is accelerating its transformation into a next-generation innovation hub.
- This momentum includes bold bets on the future.
- Transformative investments from companies like Ford Motor Company, FedEx, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis is becoming a national model for how legacy industries and emerging technologies can thrive side by side.
- With a commitment to cross-sector collaboration, innovation, and regional competitiveness, Memphis offers the perfect stage for dialogue, connection, and co-creation.
What is ACE?
ACE is the premier economic development, innovation, and entrepreneurial network of the Americas and is one of the leading high–level events of the Organization of American States (OAS) that is coordinated with the Government of the United States through the State Department and the Department of Commerce. It is a powerful cooperation mechanism that brings together high-level authorities and key decision makers from the Americas and beyond to explore mutually beneficial partnerships to strengthen economic development.
“The ACE program positively contributes to and enables the Chamber to advance its strategic mandate to enhance the Barbados business ecosystem through collaboration and partnerships that will foster the growth and sustainability of Barbadian businesses and enhance opportunities for increased trade, investment, innovation and entrepreneurship.”
“The ACE program provided invaluable insights into global best practices, connected me with industry leaders, and fostered an environment where innovative ideas could flourish. Through networking, I gained new perspectives on scaling biotech startups and discovered collaborative opportunities that will accelerate the growth of our organization. The program has been instrumental in sharpening my strategic thinking and equipping me with the tools needed to drive impactful economic development in the biotech sector.”
“The ACE program is truly a jewel in the crown of the programming of the OAS. As the Bahamas looks to deepen its connections with the wider Caribbean basin and Latin America, we will look to build on what we have learned in Panama and leverage the connections made.”
“The ACE program has been instrumental in advancing Healp’s [my startup] mission and expanding our strategic footprint across North America. Overall, the ACE program has significantly accelerated conversations with hospitals, academic research institutions, and international stakeholders, laying the foundation for long-term partnerships that align with Healp’s vision of equitable access to clinical research and patient-centered innovation.”
