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 Diane and Laurel
Nashville based co-founders of Daily Crunch
Diane Orley learned about the health and taste benefits of sprouted almonds during a trip to India. She found that almonds soaked in water for long periods of time “sprout,” resulting in more easily-digestible and nutrient-dense almonds.
She partnered with her niece Laurel, and after a few years of recipe-perfecting and brand development, they launched Daily Crunch Snacks in early 2020, providing customers with high quality, healthy, and tasty snack options.
Building
Daily Crunch began raising in 2021, and in 2022 LaunchTN invested in the company through the Impact Fund.
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.
$70m new InvestTN fund
43 current portfolio companies Highlights
Growing
Daily Crunch brought on an intern in 2022 through LaunchTN’s Summer
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
Sharing
Laurel spoke at the 2022 3686 Entrepreneurship Festival. 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
846 attendees from 33 states
912 one-on-one meetings between founders and investors or service providers
Succeeding
Daily Crunch brought home the Market Mover award at the 2023 NEXT Awards, hosted by the Nashville Entrepreneur Center, one of LaunchTN’s Network Partners. Daily Crunch has been featured on Good Morning America and in Forbes, Women’s Health, Martha Stewart Living, Popsugar, and Good Housekeeping magazines.
LaunchTNfundsNetwork Partnersacrossthestate:
8 regional entrepreneur centers and
6 industry partners
We collaborate with those partners to make resources more accessible for entrepreneurs like Diane and Laurel.
2023 highlights
72 counties served
3,158 mentoring and coaching sessions
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