We support TN entrepreneurs. Join us.

Become a Launch Tennessee Supporting Partner

We elevate entrepreneurship and innovation across Tennessee. Join us.

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 Connections Commercialization Capital

LaunchTN supports entrepreneurs through CONNECTIONS

TheLaunchTNInternProgram

connects college students with paid internships in startups, venture capital firms, and entrepreneur centers in Tennessee. More than 320 college students have participated since 2014.

2023 highlights

46 interns placed at 33 companies

46% of interns continued in roles with host companies post-internship

LaunchTNfundsandsupports NetworkPartnersacrossthe state.

8 regional entrepreneur centers and

6 industry partners

We collaborate with our partners to make resources more accessible for entrepreneurs.

2023 highlights

72 counties served

3,158 mentoring and coaching sessions

LaunchTN brings the ecosystem together through EVENTS

LaunchTN’sInnovationWeek focuses on areas where innovation, commercialization, and advocacy intersect. The 2023 Legislative Reception attracted more than 200 attendees, among them many State Senators and Representatives.

100+ participants in 3 lab tours

40 meetings with TN legislators 2023 highlights

LaunchTN’s3686conference 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.

846 attendees from 33 states

912 one-on-one meetings between founders and investors or service providers 2023 highlights

LaunchTN supports innovators through COMMERCIALIZATION

LaunchTN’sSBIR/STTR MatchingFundprogram

Research and development can be a lengthy and expensive process.

LaunchTN’s Matching Fund program provides Tennessee startups that have received federal SBIR/STTR awards additional funding and support as they develop their innovative technologies, helping to accelerate the time from development to market.

Highlights

● $4.5 million awarded to 30 companies in 2023

● More than 130 federal SBIR/STTR awards supported to-date, contributing $697 million in total economic impact in TN

● 939 jobs with $91,082 average salary created 2017-2023

TennesseeTechnology AdvancementConsortium (TTAC)

LaunchTN’s Vision to Create a University Network

Through the development of a centralized technology transfer and commercialization support office, TTAC will offer a system of support that allows every Tennessee university, regardless of size or resources, to offer students and faculty opportunities to engage in technology commercialization.

LaunchTN supports startups through CAPITAL

LaunchTNInvestsin Tennessee

Since 2012, LaunchTN has been making direct equity investments into Tennessee-located companies through the Impact and INCITE funds. Now the new InvestTN fund will allow for more investment in startups throughout the state.

As a non-profit, LaunchTN reinvests all proceeds from investments back into TN companies.

Highlights

$70m new InvestTN fund

43 current portfolio companies

Becoming a LaunchTN Supporting Partner is a full year commitment - and a more robust relationship than a “sponsorship.”

Supporting Partner benefits are tailored to amplify mission alignment and activate meaningful engagement opportunities.

VISIONARY / 100k

Promotion as LaunchTN VISIONARYon LaunchTN website home andsupporters pages

Top tier recognition in LaunchTN weekly newsletter ThePitch (current distribution approx. 7,800, open rate 40%)

Recognition as LaunchTN VISIONARYpartner throughout InnovationWeek (March) and 3686 (September)

Recognition as Hostof InnovationWeekLegislative Reception

Recognition on signage and other promotional materials for select LaunchTNevents (in addition to Innovation Week and 3686)

Recognition in select promotional and communications materials, including but not limited to press releases, social media posts, blog posts, brochures, event flyers, and annual report

Early access to LaunchTN produced reports and data releases, such as the LaunchTN Quarterly Deal Report

Opportunity to share news and events with LaunchTN partners and stakeholders – including the opportunity to guest author an article for the LaunchTN Blog

Exclusiverecognitionassolehost of twoadditionalLaunchTN eventsorprojects/programs, to be chosen (or created) based on what best reflects the alignment of missions

PIONEER / $75k

Promotion as LaunchTN PIONEERon LaunchTN website

home andsupporters pages

Second tier recognition in LaunchTN weekly newsletter The Pitch(current distribution approx. 7,800, open rate 40%)

Recognition as LaunchTN PIONEERpartner throughout InnovationWeek (March) and 3686 (September)

Recognition as Sponsorof InnovationWeekLegislative Reception

Recognition on signage and other promotional materials for select LaunchTNevents (in addition to Innovation Week and 3686)

Recognition in select promotional and communications materials, including but not limited to press releases, social media posts, blog posts, brochures, event flyers, and annual report

Early access to LaunchTN produced reports and data releases, such as the LaunchTN Quarterly Deal Report

Opportunity to share news and events with LaunchTN partners and stakeholders – including the opportunity to guest author an article for the LaunchTN Blog

Exclusiverecognitionassolehost of oneadditionalLaunchTNevent orproject/program, to be chosen (or created) based on what best reflects the alignment of missions

INNOVATOR / $50k

Promotion as LaunchTN INNOVATORon LaunchTN website andsupporters pages

Third tier recognition in LaunchTN weekly newsletter The Pitch(current distribution approx. 7,800, open rate 40%)

Recognition as LaunchTN INNOVATORpartner throughout InnovationWeek (March) and 3686 (September)

Recognition as Sponsorof InnovationWeekLegislative Reception

Recognition on signage and other promotional materials for select LaunchTNevents (in addition to Innovation Week and 3686)

Early access to LaunchTN produced reports and data releases, such as the LaunchTN Quarterly Deal Report

Recognition in select promotional and communications materials, including but not limited to press releases, social media posts, blog posts, brochures, event flyers, and annual report

Opportunity to share news and events with LaunchTN partners and stakeholders – including the opportunity to guestauthoran articlefortheLaunchTNBlog

ADVOCATE / $25k

Promotion as LaunchTN

ADVOCATEon LaunchTN

website supporters page

Fourth tier recognition in LaunchTN weekly newsletter The Pitch(current distribution approx. 7,800, open rate 40%)

Recognition as LaunchTN ADVOCATE partner throughout InnovationWeek (March) OR 3686 (September)

Recognition as Sponsorof InnovationWeekLegislative Reception

Recognition on signage and other promotional materials for select LaunchTNevents (in addition to Innovation Week OR 3686)

Early access to LaunchTN produced reports and data releases, such as the LaunchTN Quarterly Deal Report

Recognition in select promotional and communications materials, including but not limited to press releases, social media posts, blog posts, brochures, event flyers, and annual report

Opportunity to share news and events with LaunchTN partners and stakeholders

LaunchTN’s Supporting Partners are woven into the fabric of our mission-focused work, creating a positive alignment of messaging and awareness.

Beapartofplacingmoreentrepreneursonthe pathtosuccess,fuelingtheinnovationeconomy inourstate,andmakingTennesseethebest stateinthenationforstartups.