News & Notes | Knoxville Chamber announces a deal with Dealroom
Launch Tennessee bringing next Capital Conversations to Knoxville on November 14.
From Knoxville:
Thanks to the Knoxville Chamber, the local community now has access to Dealroom, a platform that has been localized for the Knoxville start-up ecosystem.
Dealroom brings together data on companies, founders, investors, and higher education institutions to help the local area stay informed about emerging companies, track investment trends, and understand how innovation is shaping the economy. Founders will play a critical role in ensuring the accuracy and impact of the platform. By claiming their company profile and verifying that their information is up to date, founders not only strengthen their own visibility to investors, partners, and potential collaborators, but they also help paint a more complete picture of Knoxville’s growing business community.
It is also a tool for the chamber to measure the growth of the region’s innovation ecosystem.
With support from the Nasdaq Foundation, Launch Tennessee and Pinnacle Financial Partners are bringing the InvestTN Road Tour to 10 cities statewide to share key info on funding, investment opportunities, and how to tap into resources right in your community. Next up is Knoxville on Friday, November 14. It will begin at 3 p.m. EST at 121 Tech Hub in the Old City near the new Covenant Park.
In attendance will be members of LaunchTN’s Capital team, financial sector experts from Pinnacle Financial Partners and Pathway Lending, and representatives from the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center.
To register, click here.
From Charleston, TN:
Effective October 1, Stephan Fellner assumed the role of head of Polysilicon USA and the Charleston site, succeeding Ken Collins, who retired from Wacker at the end of October.
“We sincerely thank Ken for his contributions to the Charleston site,” said Chris Kowitz, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wacker Chemical Corporation. “Under his leadership, we have strengthened our safety culture, expanded our community presence with the installation of Wacker Commons at the PIE Center in Cleveland, TN, and supported the site’s growth from polysilicon production to also manufacturing HDK pyrogenic silica. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
From Knoxville and Harriman:
The Aspen Institute has named two East Tennessee community colleges as the only Volunteer State institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s premier recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year colleges. The two – Pellissippi State and Roane State – are among 200 colleges selected based on their student outcomes data, including retention, completion, transfer, and bachelor’s attainment rates. Started in 2010, this is the ninth cycle of the Aspen Prize.
Together, these 200 colleges represent the breadth and diversity of the community college sector. They are located in urban, rural, and suburban areas across the country and serve anywhere from a few hundred students to tens of thousands. Some of these colleges focus primarily on workforce programs, while others focus on transfer and bachelor’s attainment or a combination of the two.
“The Aspen Prize rewards colleges that achieve the kind of outcomes that actually matter to students—completing college degree programs that, in turn, lead to lifelong success,” said Josh Wyner, Executive Director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. “Aspen Prize winners offer a powerful message: Community colleges can deliver the kind of life-changing education that makes the American Dream real.”
The 200 eligible colleges have been invited to submit an application and participate in a rigorous review process that will culminate in the naming of the Aspen Prize winner in spring 2027. Over the coming 20 months, the colleges that apply for the Aspen Prize will be assessed based on: (1) student outcomes data, ranging from student transfer and completion rates to employment and wages after graduation; and (2) whether they have engaged in scaled practices that led to high and improving student outcomes.
From Kingsport:
The Sync Space Entrepreneur Center, in partnership with Mountain BizWorks and the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, is launching the Waypoint Resilience Program.
This specialized business cohort is designed to equip outdoor businesses in Northeast Tennessee with the tools for long-term stability and strategic growth. The curriculum focuses on financial analysis, strategic leadership, and operational efficiency to help companies scale effectively and withstand future economic shifts.
If you are an outdoor business in Northeast Tennessee interested in building long-term fortitude, please email us at waypoint@syncspace.org to learn more about joining the inaugural Waypoint Resilience cohort.
From Memphis:
The Life Science Venture Program has scheduled its next session from 3:30 to 5 p.m. CST on November 11 at Epicenter, 150 Peabody Place in Memphis. This session, which will be about integrating regulatory strategy into early product development, will be led by Rick Gaykowski, Head of Regulatory Affairs at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Jennifer Hoglin, Head of Marketing & Industry Engagement at St. Jude.
A strong regulatory strategy is key to turning innovation into impact— this session will highlight how early integration of regulatory, quality, and compliance considerations can streamline product development and improve the path to market. Attendees will gain practical insights into aligning regulatory strategy with broader business and commercialization goals.
To register for either option – in-person or virtual, click here.
Then, from 5 to 7 p.m. CST, the Life Science Tennessee will host a “Beer & Biotech” event at Wiseacre Brewing Company. To register, click here.
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