Here’s a series of short news items of interest to the region
Here are some news briefs that should be of interest to our readers.
- Dan Close, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of 490 BioTech, was featured recently by WATE-TV, the Knoxville ABC affiliate and media partner for “Startup Day” that is scheduled for the afternoon of October 5. The company was selected as the winner of the “Innov865 Judges’ Choice” in last year’s competition and later was selected as the winner of the inaugural “PYA Ballard Innovation Award” presented by PYA, the power behind biz. Click here to see the WATE video clip from the interview and here to learn more about the 2021 edition of “Startup Day.”
- Oak Ridge-based Boston Government Services (BGS), which we noted in a post last week is a finalist in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s “Dream Big Awards” competition, is only the fourth company in the nation to pass the U.S. Department of Defense’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program. As a result, BGS is now a certified CMMC Third Party Assessor Organization authorized to conduct compliance assessments for federal contractors. Click here to learn more.
- Felicia Jackson of Chattanooga’s CPRWrap wrote: “We are packed and ready for this next adventure. We are leaving Chattanooga tomorrow (last Friday) to move to Washington DC until next year to be part of Halcyon to help with the growth of CPRWrap Inc. Thanks to everyone that’s rooting for our success as we set out to save lives globally.” As noted in this July post on biz, the start-up was one of eight companies selected to participate in Cohort 15 of the Washington, DC-based incubator. Participants receive free residency and workspace, mentorship and leadership coaching, robust support from business consultants, and a living stipend to develop their entrepreneurial vision.
- Another company with ties to Chattanooga is one of the finalists pitching this week in the “NEXT Venture Pitch Competition” in Greenville. The company is 6AM City which is described as “redefining the future of local media as the fastest growing newsletter-first local media company in the country.” It purchased Nooga.com several years ago and rebranded it as Nooga Today, and more recently launched Nash Today. There are 24 6AM City editions.
- Like so many organizations planning events, those behind the annual “Musculoskeletal New Venture Conference” in Memphis have decided to change the format from meeting in person to scheduled sessions online. “We will miss meeting with you in person, but we think circumstances warrant the change, keeping in mind the safety of everyone involved,” the organizers wrote in a recent email. More details about the virtual format will be announced soon. Originally scheduled for November 2 and 3, the new format calls for the conference to be held December 7 and 14.
- Techstars has hired Matthew Grossman to its newly created role of Chief Brand and Communications Officer. As described in this news release, the former London-based Vice President of Communications for The Walt Disney Company will continue to be based there. “Matthew’s successful track record at building widely known brands in a decentralized environment makes him the perfect fit for this role,” said Techstars Chief Executive Officer Maëlle Gavet. “With his experience in international strategic message development, I am confident that Matthew will be an asset to our team and help advance our business objectives around the globe.” Recruitment is underway now for the inaugural “Techstars Industries of the Future Accelerator” that launches in January in the Knoxville-Oak Ridge region.
