John Ingram

INGRAM CONTENT Group (ICG) today announced the launch of its new 1440 accelerator program, named for the year Johannes Gutenberg perfected his printing press technology.

Applications for the 1440 program are being accepted through August 7. Recent ICG coverage here.

The announcement signals not only the Nashville Entrepreneur Center's first foray into the Publishing vertical, but also the EC's replication of the accelerator-program model that debuted in 2014, with the launch of the EC partnership with the Country Music Association (CMA) that spawned Project Music.

ICG said 1440 will induct startups that have transformative ideas that may be focused on such things as improving customer experience, bringing books to new markets or helping publishers establish stronger relationships with end customers.

1440's 14-week acceleration process begins in September with up to 10 startups likely to be aboard. Accepted companies will receive a $30k investment for 10% equity, plus mentoring by experts at Ingram Content Group.

"At Ingram Content Group, we pride ourselves on constantly looking for innovative technologies and ideas to hlp our customers improve their business," said John Ingram, Chairman and CEO of Ingram Content Group and Chairman of The Nashville Entrepreneur Center, in a 1440 release issued today.

Stuart McWhorter, CEO of the Nashville Entrepreneur Center (EC) said in the release, "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 is current chairman of the board of directors of the Entrepreneur Center and he and McWhorter in 2011 collaborated to fund Bullpen Ventures, which has also been domeciled at the EC.

ICG staff will be augmented by mentorship and other support from the Nashville Entrepreneur Center and Jumpstart Foundry, the latter a healthcare-centered accelerator that also contracts to run accelerator programs in other verticals. VNC