Stories of Technology, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship in the Southeast

The first place winner of the 2026 Ballard Innovation Award will receive $50,000 in cash and in-kind services to propel their venture forward. Applications are due promptly at 11:59 on Wednesday, March 18.

The Chattanooga startup is developing a selective separation process designed to unlock overlooked minerals and reduce America’s reliance on foreign sources.

Previous studies focused on impacts regarding a singular variable. This is the first comprehensive analysis to gauge the cost of unreliable electricity across all geographic scales and customer types.

Since 1983, the firm’s undeterred focus on relationship-building, authenticity, and radical responsiveness with unparalleled expertise has led to many national recognitions.

“I was born and raised here in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. It's always been my dream to move back to Knoxville and try to start a business," said OneThirty's founder, Grayson Niehaus.

Many professionals spend decades fueled by the dream of climbing the corporate ladder. But what happens when you finally reach the top, and you realize the view from the C-suite isn’t what you expected?

In 2025, TMEP assisted 218 manufacturers across Tennessee, generating more than $300 million in economic impact.

Following a $6.5 million capital raise and partnerships with Epson and Kirker Enterprises, Blank Beauty has quickly established its presence on the international scale for cosmetic innovation.