Memphis is known for its entrepreneurial spirit, and the greater Memphis area is home to over 130,000 homegrown businesses that create local jobs and foster economic growth and stability. Local government plays important roles in helping these businesses thrive from contracting directly for key services to processing licenses and permits needed to operate to offering professional development support for entrepreneurs just getting started. As part of Mayor Young’s Economic Development transition team recommendations, City government is looking for creative ways to make it easier for local businesses to partner with public agencies and divisions. Key opportunities are 1) streamlining and strengthening vendor approval processes so that businesses can be considered for future RFPs; and 2) improving how businesses and their subcontractors are categorized and connected to contract opportunities that fit all types of specializations they offer. 

Call to Action:
For our 2025 Hackathon, we are seeking hackers’ ideas and technical expertise on how to develop more automated, step-by-step technology tools for businesses to complete required paperwork and submit strong profiles/bids for contract opportunities. By making this process more streamlined and user-friendly, hackers can help grow the pool of local businesses that are ready for partnerships and reduce time for City staff and businesses alike reviewing, revising, and getting approval for contracts.

Potential Hackathon Topics
Potential Hackathon projects to pursue include (but aren’t limited to) the following:
*Prototyping step-by-step onboarding tools or checklists to help new businesses submit complete & accurate paperwork to become City vendors 
*Using form logic and/or AI tools to help businesses create comprehensive profiles for the City that reflect all services and specializations they offer 
*Developing reporting and project closeout tools that City division staff can use to improve progress monitoring for contractors and capture contractor & subcontractor profiles for future opportunities

Hacker Skill Sets Needed
*User experience & user-centered design 
*AI and machine learning 
*App and web tool development 
*Project management 
*Policy, contracting and business content expertise 
*Process mapping & form logic