A variety of items covered in this week’s “News & Notes” feature
From the 16-County ETDD:
Over the past six months, the East Tennessee Development District (ETDD) has partnered with the Tennessee Valley Authority, University of Tennessee System, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and others to engage local communities and develop a “Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy” (CEDS) for the region. ETDD encompasses 16 counties: Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier, and Union. The report is now available (click here) to view and open for public comment during a 30-day period that began August 10. Comments can be sent to Tim Hendrick at thendrick@etdd.org.
From Knoxville:
The job description for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI‐The Composites Institute) has been posted. The organization, which is one of 16 Manufacturing USA institutes, is managed by Collaborative Composite Solutions Corporation (CCS), a not‐for‐profit organization established by the University of Tennessee Research Foundation. Dale Brosius has been serving as Interim CEO since the John Hopkins stepped down at the end of March.
From Chattanooga:
- QUANTiSCOPE, a company co-founded by Kevin Christopher, has been accepted into the inaugural “WheelsUp Health Security Accelerator” administered by First Flight Venture Center in Research Triangle Park, NC. WheelsUp is a collaborative program with the federal Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), through its Division of Research, Innovation, and Ventures (DRIVe). QUANTiSCOPE enhances drug discovery through automated imaging analysis tools designed to easily integrate into research workflows. Christopher has launched several start-ups and is also Founder and Principal of Rockridge Venture Law®, a Tennessee corporate and intellectual property firm.
- Rosimar Nieves is CO.LAB‘s newest team member, holding the position of Rural Outreach Manager where she will serve nine counties in Tennessee with program outreach and guidance. According to the announcement of her appointment, Nieves has a history with helping those who need it most. From retail to non-profit to corporate environments, she is described as having an “eye for problem-solving and passion for connecting people with solutions has been at the heart of wherever she’s worked.”
- The Young Professionals of Chattanooga and the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce have announced 2022-2023 membership rosters for both Protégé Chattanooga and the YPC Advisory Board. A program of YPC, Protégé Chattanooga is an immersive, team-based mentoring initiative in which early-to-midcareer professionals build lifelong networks while learning from local executives and each other. Over the course of nine months, participants connect with their peers and area business and community leaders to develop their professional and civic-engagement potential, as well as build enduring personal and professional connections. To learn more, read the announcement (Chattanooga Chamber Announces Protege Cohorts and YPC Board for 2022-23).
From Johnson City:
The East Tennessee Division of D.R. Horton, the largest homebuilder by volume in the U.S. since 2002, has announced regional partnerships with the Sync Space Entrepreneur Center and other organizations to create a workforce program for construction trade skills, professional development, small business support, and to inspire students in trades and technology.
As noted in this news release, Northeast Tennessee has become one of the fastest growing residential markets for the nation’s top homebuilder. By the end of 2021, D.R. Horton had closed on more than 250 homes in the region and anticipates another 500 closings over the next 12 months.
The program will serve as an introduction and front door for people untrained in the building trades to either obtain employment upon completion of the certificated programs offered through Sync Space or advance to additional training offered by programs at Northeast State Community College, Tennessee Small Business Development Center, Tennessee College of Applied Technology, and other industry partners. It is scheduled to launch in late summer and will be held at Northeast State Community College
From Nashville:
- The Nashville Entrepreneur Center has announced the return of its “Telehealth Academy II,” a three-week program designed for healthcare industry professionals and entrepreneurs to learn about virtual care advancements happening in telehealth and remote patient monitoring (RPM). This year’s program is presented by eVisit, a leading virtual care platform built to help healthcare delivery organizations deliver an efficient, engaging virtual care experience. More than 35 speakers are scheduled during the three-week program.
- CareHarmony, a provider of artificial intelligence-powered care coordination solutions, raised a $15 million Series A round that was led by Maverick Ventures, with participation from Nashville Capital Network. Prateesh Maheshwari, Managing Director at Maverick Ventures, joined the CareHarmony board as part of this investment. The company intends to use the funds for continued growth, serving hospitals and health systems through its care platform.
