News & Notes | A film debuts and an EV driving opportunity is upcoming
From Johnson City:
After a successful premier of the film titled “Innovators in Appalachia” at the inaugural “Founders After 5” meetup on May 25, FoundersForge has released the video that highlights some of the most promising and innovative start-ups in the Appalachian Highlands region.
“This is an opportunity to get a glimpse of the cutting-edge work being done by local entrepreneurs and learn more about their unique stories,” FoundersForge writes in a recent email. “It is amazing what happens when start-ups come together, collaborate, and create new opportunities. Not only does this film highlight their accomplishments, but it also lays the foundation for future innovation in our region and beyond.”
It’s a just under 10-minute film that can be found here.
From Chattanooga:
As part of its focus on the future of mobility, The Company Lab (CO.LAB) is hosting an “Experiential EV Ride and Drive” beginning at 11 a.m. June 24. The event will be held at 1067 Riverside Drive with participants having the opportunity to drive on The Grand Prix track at The Bend. Electric vehicles will be available from Volvo, Nissan, and Mercedes as well as eBikes from Chatt eBikes. To register, click here.
From Knoxville:
As mentioned in last week’s “News & Notes” feature, applications are now being accepted from Knoxville area companies that want to be considered as one of six presenters during this year’s “Startup Day.” The event will be held the afternoon of September 12, and start-ups can apply at this link through June 30.
From Maryville:
Blount County native and Maryville College alum Adam McCall is one of four alumni of the private college honored recently. After being part of the team at Knoxville-based sustainable technology start-up IdleAire Technologies and later with Malibu Boats, McCall returned to the region in 2013 to become president and Chief Executive Officer of TennEra, a subsidiary of the University of Tennessee Research Foundation. To raise private capital, he created Prisma Renewable Composites as a spin-off of TennEra. McCall was one of two recipients of an “Alumni Citation” that is awarded to any alumnus/a of Maryville College who has demonstrated outstanding leadership or initiative service in his/her community, church or chosen profession.
From Russellville:
John McMillian reports that Shockwave Motors Inc. will debut the prototype of its latest innovation named the Draco Sports TrikeTM on June 10 at the Spruce Pine Alien Festival in Spruce Pine, NC. He describes it as “a three-wheeled Autocycle that combines the excitement of a motorcycle with the safety and stability of a car. It’s perfect for commuting, running errands, or just cruising around town.” The debut this weekend follows after more than a year of designing, engineering, and fabrication. The latest electric option from Shockwave joins the Defiant EV3 All-Electric RoadsterTM.
From Nashville:
- Best-selling author Asha Saxena, who also serves as Chief Executive Officer of Women Leaders in Data and AI and is an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University, has been announced as the opening keynote speaker for the Greater Nashville Technology Council’s “2023 Analytics Summit.” The two-day event begins October 2 at the Renaissance Nashville Downtown Hotel. Saxena’s session is titled “The AI Factor: How AI and Generative AI Are Transforming Our World.” To learn more about the event, click here.
- Launch Tennessee is recruiting for a Technology Advancement Coordinator. According to the job description, the position focuses on three key areas: (1) systematizing programs that support founders in pursuit of grants through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs as well as other federal commercialization opportunities; (2) aiding in the administration of the organization’s “SBIR/STTR Matching Fund Program”; and (3) supporting the execution of the public-private partnership’s SBA FAST grant including coordinating workshops and other learning opportunities in partnership with various stakeholders.
- Skin Pharm, a beauty brand and leading aesthetic skin care clinic, has announced the company has received a $15 million investment from Prelude Growth Partners, a female-founded growth equity firm focused on high-potential, fast-growing consumer brands. The new funding will support Skin Pharm’s aggressive clinic expansion plans nationwide and contribute to ongoing product development. The companies has five operational clinics including Nashville and nearby Franklin as well as Atlanta, Charlotte, and Dallas. Next up are Houston and Alpharetta, GA that are slated to open in the coming months.
