Ingram Content Group Launches 1440 Accelerator Program to Help Mentor Startups

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—July 14, 2015—Ingram Content Group announced the launch of its new accelerator program, 1440, named for the year Johannes Gutenberg perfected his printing press technology. Built on the belief that publishing innovation has the power to change the world, 1440 aims to find and accelerate startups creating the next breakthrough innovations in the publishing industry.

“At Ingram Content Group, we pride ourselves on constantly looking for innovative technologies and ideas to help our customers improve their business,” commented John Ingram, Chairman and CEO of Ingram Content Group and Chairman of The Nashville Entrepreneur Center. “We’re excited to collaborate with the EC and Jumpstart Foundry to advance the publishing industry.”

The program is set to begin in September and will consist of an intensive 14-week process designed to accelerate the growth of up to 10 startups. Participating companies will receive a $30k investment for 10 percent equity and will be mentored by seasoned experts at Ingram Content Group.

The expertise of Ingram Content Group will be supplemented by the guidance and mentorship of The Nashville Entrepreneur Center and Jumpstart Foundry, who both boast impressive track records launching new businesses. 1440 will begin on the heels of Jumpstart Foundry’s flagship accelerator, whose participants will graduate in August at Health:Further and The Nashville Entrepreneur Center’s Project Music, which launched eight music technology companies in April.

Stuart McWhorter, CEO of The Nashville Entrepreneur Center said, “Any time we’re approached by an innovative company with rich expertise like Ingram Content Group to work on a project like this, we get excited. There’s no doubt in my mind that we’ll be able to help build some incredible companies with huge implications for the publishing industry.”

Ingram Content Group, headquartered near Nashville, Tennessee, and with offices globally, is leading the way that digital and physical content reaches consumers. Publishers, online and physical retailers, libraries, and educators partner with Ingram to reach more readers, engage with more patrons and enhance the learning experience. Through an unmatched global distribution and logistics network, and innovative technologies including automated print on demand, digital asset management and distribution and e-learning platforms, Ingram offers a complete set of tools to reach readers around the world.

Applications for the 1440 program are currently open and will close on Aug. 7. It’s an open call for ideas which could range from improving customer experience to bringing books to new markets to helping publishers establish stronger relationships with end customers. Interested startups can learn more and apply at FourteenForty.co.

About Ingram Content Group
Ingram Content Group is a subsidiary of Nashville-based Ingram Industries Inc. The company got its start in 1964 as a textbook depository and has since grown and transformed into a comprehensive publishing industry services company that offers numerous solutions, including physical book distribution, print-on-demand and digital services. Committed to the success of its partners, Ingram works closely with publishers, retailers, libraries and schools around the world to provide them with the right products and services to help them succeed in the dynamic and increasingly complex world of content publishing. Ingram’s operating units are Ingram Book Co., Lightning Source, VitalSource Technologies, Ingram Periodicals, Ingram International, Ingram Library Services, Spring Arbor Distributors, Ingram Publisher Services, Tennessee Book Co. and ICG Ventures.

Source: Ingram Content Group.