Tennessee House 2026 at SXSW sees record-breaking growth
"We showed more than 4,700 people what makes Tennessee unique. It is a chance for us to reach out and engage with some of the world's boldest thinkers and game-changers," said Chloe Morrison, LaunchTN's Communications Director.
Tennessee made a massive impact in Austin this past week, as the Tennessee House reported record-breaking engagement during its third annual activation at SXSW.
2026 by the numbers
This year, the Tennessee House saw 4,753 total attendees, representing a 21% increase year-over-year. Since its inception only three years ago, attendance has surged by 120%.
The house drew a diverse crowd with 8,605 total RSVPs representing 35 U.S. states and 24 different countries.
Cross-state collaboration
The Tennessee House, organized by LaunchTN, was powered by a coalition of statewide partners that included chambers of commerce, tourism bureaus, Tennessee universities, the Nashville Innovation Alliance, The Company Lab, EPB, East Tennessee Economic Council and others. This unified front allowed the activation to balance technical pitches with iconic, fun cultural moments.
“We crafted a unique and compelling mix of thoughtful programs about next-gen tech from some of the state’s most exciting startups, alongside celebrations of iconic Tennessee culture you’ll only see at the Tennessee House,” said Chloe Morrison, LaunchTN’s Communications Director.
As Tennessee continues to position itself as a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, the success of the Tennessee House serves as a high-visibility proof point.
“We showed more than 4,700 people what makes Tennessee unique. It is a chance for us to reach out and engage with some of the world’s boldest thinkers and game-changers,” explained Morrison.
Local attendee feedback
“SXSW is always an incredible event. I’ve attended every one of the Tennessee House Activations over the past three years and this year there was a noticeable shift. Between the experience, the caliber of speakers and the connection opportunities, it has evolved into a destination within SXSW, ” said Ryan Shipley with Sync Space Entrepreneur Center.
Marc Nabhan, Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at UT, reflected on LinkedIn: “Austin, TX was on fire these past few days hosting the annual SXSW. The Tennessee House was even more impressive, bringing strong energy and showcasing innovation from across the state. A big highlight was seeing three Knoxville startups featured: Orion Therapeutics, Aquafer Technologies, and TreisD. Strong representation all around.”
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