We support TN entrepreneurs. Join us.
LaunchTN elevates entrepreneurship and innovation across Tennessee
About us
LaunchTN is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization. We foster success for Tennessee entrepreneurs through capital access, technology advancement, and workforce development by offering mentorship, investment, and a statewide network of support and programs.
Our three Cs We support entrepreneurs with Capital Connections Commercialization
Meet Shani
Nashville based founder of Possip
Possip founder Shani Dowell loves supporting the work of schools. She founded Possip to elevate the ideas of parents, teachers, and students.
Possip helps people influence the complex places that shape their lives. SMS Pulse Check™ surveys present quick and actionable reports for leaders to gain valuable insights from their large and diverse communities.
Connecting
Shani connected with LaunchTN Network Partner the Nashville Entrepreneur Center, where she participated in programs to help accelerate Possip.
LaunchTNfundsNetwork Partnersacrossthestate:
8 regional entrepreneur centers and
6 industry partners
We collaborate with those partners to make resources more accessible for entrepreneurs like Shani.
72 counties served
3,158 mentoring and coaching sessions 2023 highlights
Growing
LaunchTN provided Shani and Possip with interns in 2019, 2020, and 2021. One was hired post-internship and is now a full-time member of the Possip team.
“The internship program has allowed us to bring on incredible and diverse talented college students and give them a meaningful experience while meaningfully shaping our company.”
Shani Jackson Dowell“
TheLaunchTNInternProgram connects college students with paid internships in startups, venture capital firms, and entrepreneur centers in Tennessee. More than 320 college students have participated to-date.
2023 highlights
46 interns placed at 33 companies
46% of interns continued in roles with host companies post-internship
Succeeding
In 2019, Shani became the first Black woman in Tennessee to raise $1 million for a startup company. This included an investment from Launch Tennessee.
To date, we have made a total of three capital investments in Possip.
LaunchTNInvestments
Since 2012, LaunchTN has been making direct equity investments into Tennessee-located companies through the Impact, INCITE, and InvestTN funds. The funds are evergreen, meaning that all proceeds are re-invested in TN companies.
“The investment from LaunchTN allows us to expand our team and Possip’s reach and impact.”
Shani Jackson Dowell
“ $70m new InvestTN fund 43 current portfolio companies Highlights
Sharing
Shani spoke at the 2022 and 2023 3686 Entrepreneurship Festivals. She inspired festival attendees with the story of her journey as a Tennessee entrepreneur.
LaunchTN’s3686 conference
is Tennessee’s annual celebration of connections, entrepreneurship, and innovation. The conference features sessions, one-on-one startup/investor meetings, a pitch competition, networking opportunities, and partner popup events around Nashville.
2023 highlights
846 attendees from 33 states
912 one-on-one meetings between founders and investors or service providers
This is just one TN entrepreneur’s story.
This past year LaunchTN, along with our network, supported TN entrepreneurs through 4,000+ touchpoints. We’ve been doing this for more than a decade - and we need your help.
Join us. Become a LaunchTN Patron.
Your $5,000 donation to LaunchTN will help us put another TN entrepreneur on the path to success.
Complimentary pass to 3686
(*or opportunity to donate pass to a student) Recognition on LaunchTNwebsite (if desired)
*Full $5,000 tax-deductible if pass donated
Visit launchtn.org and click “Support LaunchTN” or contact LaunchTN Development Director Emily Masters: emily@launchtn.org