LaunchTN
Launch Tennessee (LaunchTN) is a public–private partnership that supports startup formation and growth in Tennessee by providing capital, commercialization services and statewide connections. The organization operates direct and indirect investment programs (including InvestTN), commercialization support (SBIR/STTR assistance, matching funds, microgrants, TTAC), talent pipelines (internship and education programs) and statewide events such as the 3686 entrepreneurship festival.
LaunchTN
Nashville, Tennessee, United States, North America
Services
Venture capital programs and pitch competitions
Manages and promotes investment initiatives including InvestTN (a state-backed venture fund), runs pitch competitions (InvestTN Pitch) and investor matchmaking (one-on-one investor meetings and a co-investor network) to connect founders with capital.
SBIR/STTR application support and matching funds
Provides application support for federal SBIR/STTR proposals, offers a matching funding program and related microgrant assistance to help researchers and startups commercialize federally funded research.
Technology commercialization and TTAC (Tennessee Technology Advancement Consortium)
Commercialization services and partnership programs (TTAC) to help academic researchers and technology teams move innovations from lab to market, including Innovation Fellowship, Travel Grant Program, TNIPA and LabShare.
Microgrants and early-stage support
Small, early-stage grants and microgrants to support startup activities; LaunchTN reports outcomes for microgrant-supported companies (SBIR/STTR Phase 1 win rate data reported).
Talent development and internship program
Operates a statewide summer internship program that places college students with Tennessee startups and entrepreneur centers; provides a stipend model and professional development (Summer Summit).
Events, networking and ecosystem programming (including 3686 festival)
Produces statewide events and programming to connect founders, investors, corporate partners and civic leaders — flagship event is the 3686 entrepreneurship festival with curated panels, investor meetings, pitch competitions and partner pop-ups.
Venture capital programs and pitch competitions
Manages and promotes investment initiatives including InvestTN (a state-backed venture fund), runs pitch competitions (InvestTN Pitch) and investor matchmaking (one-on-one investor meetings and a co-investor network) to connect founders with capital.
SBIR/STTR application support and matching funds
Provides application support for federal SBIR/STTR proposals, offers a matching funding program and related microgrant assistance to help researchers and startups commercialize federally funded research.
Technology commercialization and TTAC (Tennessee Technology Advancement Consortium)
Commercialization services and partnership programs (TTAC) to help academic researchers and technology teams move innovations from lab to market, including Innovation Fellowship, Travel Grant Program, TNIPA and LabShare.
Microgrants and early-stage support
Small, early-stage grants and microgrants to support startup activities; LaunchTN reports outcomes for microgrant-supported companies (SBIR/STTR Phase 1 win rate data reported).
Talent development and internship program
Operates a statewide summer internship program that places college students with Tennessee startups and entrepreneur centers; provides a stipend model and professional development (Summer Summit).
Events, networking and ecosystem programming (including 3686 festival)
Produces statewide events and programming to connect founders, investors, corporate partners and civic leaders — flagship event is the 3686 entrepreneurship festival with curated panels, investor meetings, pitch competitions and partner pop-ups.
Portfolio
Creates adaptive cyber defense technologies; founded by Vanderbilt graduate students. Listed as a 2019 Student Edition Live Pitch finalist.
#Cybersecurity
Biodegradable, chitosan-based paste used as a targeted drug-delivery system; listed as a 2019 Student Edition Live Pitch finalist.
#Biotech / Drug delivery
Pre-clinical biotech working with NIH and academia to address Alzheimer’s disease; 2019 Student Edition finalist.
#Biotech / Alzheimer’s therapeutics
Courier specialized in on-demand delivery of HVAC parts and equipment; 2019 Student Edition finalist.
#Logistics / Delivery
Installs and services digital fabrication equipment (3D printers, CNC, laser cutters); 2019 Student Edition finalist.
#Hardware / Lab equipment services
Develops assistive clothing to reduce musculoskeletal injuries for manual laborers; 2019 Student Edition finalist.
#Wearables / Safety tech
Creates adaptive cyber defense technologies; founded by Vanderbilt graduate students. Listed as a 2019 Student Edition Live Pitch finalist.
#Cybersecurity
Biodegradable, chitosan-based paste used as a targeted drug-delivery system; listed as a 2019 Student Edition Live Pitch finalist.
#Biotech / Drug delivery
Pre-clinical biotech working with NIH and academia to address Alzheimer’s disease; 2019 Student Edition finalist.
#Biotech / Alzheimer’s therapeutics
Courier specialized in on-demand delivery of HVAC parts and equipment; 2019 Student Edition finalist.
#Logistics / Delivery
Installs and services digital fabrication equipment (3D printers, CNC, laser cutters); 2019 Student Edition finalist.
#Hardware / Lab equipment services
Develops assistive clothing to reduce musculoskeletal injuries for manual laborers; 2019 Student Edition finalist.
#Wearables / Safety tech