Stories of Technology, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship in the Southeast

From Chattanooga and Nashville:

The Company Lab (CO.LAB) and TennSMART are accepting applications through this Friday for their annual “Sustainable Mobility Reverse Pitch Challenge” that will be held in conjunction with the Tennessee Smart Mobility Expo on April 2 and 3 in Nashville.

Now in its third year, the Expo is attended by more than 450 people from vehicle manufacturers and suppliers, leading research institutions and universities, fleet operators, utilities, municipalities, state agencies, and the advanced transportation ecosystem to form valuable connections. With thought-provoking sessions, tech demonstrations, and networking, the expo celebrates the state’s position as an automotive manufacturing giant and generator of smart mobility solutions.

“We’re looking for four winning solutions in our competition tracks: People, Goods, Energy, and Data,” the two organizations write in describing the “Reverse Pitch Challenge.” If additional follow-up interviews are needed, they will take place on March 17 and 18. Winners will be announced on March 19, and travel arrangements will need to be made quickly.

For more information about the competition, click here. For additional information about the Expo, click here.

From Knoxville:

Marcus Blair of Omega Business Solutions will kick off an open discussion on overlooked challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence (AI). The event, scheduled for March 12 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. EDT at the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, will also feature Amir Sadovnik, of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, John Derrick of Authentrics.ai, and Ozlem Kilic, Dean of the College of Emerging and Emerging Sciences at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Attendees will explore where AI is headed in the next 18 months—how smaller, specialized models and evolving chip technology will make LLMs more accessible than ever. The panel will also tackle the workforce implications: What new job opportunities will emerge? What skills will be in demand? To register, click here.

From Kingsport:

Ryan Shipley has stepped into the role of Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Capital at the Sync Space Entrepreneur Center. The announcement noted that he “has been a driving force in supporting entrepreneurs and economic growth in our region, and in this new role, he’ll focus on expanding capital access and strategic initiatives to strengthen our entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

Shipley is no stranger to the Northeast Tennessee start-up scene, serving for the past six plus years as Sync Space’s Director of Special Projects as well as an advisor to start-ups like Personality Pool and leading business development for companies like ActionVFX and Cumberland Marketing.

From Memphis:

The beginning of the invitation reads as follows: “Get ready for a high-energy celebration of Memphis culture at Epicenter Live!! This event brings together local musicians, innovators, and tastemakers for an unforgettable night of music, food, and innovation.”

1. Live Pitches: Listen to local entrepreneurs from SweetBio, MiCare Path, PopCheck Technologies, and MedHaul pitch their game-changing ideas in just 90 seconds!
2. Live Music: Groove to a special performance by Keri Lee, with emcee Princeton James keeping the vibes strong.
3. Food Tastings: Savor bites and sips from City Silo, Groovy Gratitude, and Lee’s Urban Apothecary, accompanied by saxophonist Antonio Hobson.
4. Local Spirits Bar: Sip on craft cocktails and local brews featuring Memphis-made spirits and beers, perfectly curated for the night by Juice by Jalissa.

The event is March 20 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. CDT at Epicenter, 150 Peabody Place.

From Dunlap:

An entrepreneur from the Sequatchie County town appeared on last Friday’s edition of Shark Tank. Susan Vandergriff, Founder of the Happy Birdwatcher Co., launched the company in 2021. The Happy Birdwatcher Co. offers curated seeds to avian enthusiasts based on the kinds of birds they want to see in their yard, the type of feeders they have, and where they live.

Since starting the company, she has shipped seed to 49 states, according to an article in the Chattanooga Times Free Press. Vandergriff has also received help on her entrepreneurial journey from The Company Lab.

Shark Tank is in its 16^th season.

 

---