Launch Tennessee has released a request for proposals for a new regional entrepreneur center to serve the Southern Middle part of the state.
“One of Launch Tennessee’s greatest strengths is our statewide network of entrepreneur centers and industry partners,” said Development Director Emily Masters. “With this RFP, we’re excited to expand our reach in the Southern Middle Region by identifying a local partner who can serve as a welcoming front door for entrepreneurs in that area.”
The LaunchTN Regional Entrepreneur Center Network Partners support Tennessee start-ups within specific regions. The entrepreneur centers are instrumental to the continued growth of Tennessee’s economy, with a focus on supporting innovative companies that can grow locally, attracting investment capital, connecting founders to key resources, such as mentors and customers, and furthering research and development.
Launch Tennessee will select a partner to serve the Southern Middle region, defined as Perry, Wayne, Hickman, Lewis, Lawrence, Maury, Giles, Marshall, Lincoln, Bedford, Moore, Coffee, and Franklin counties.
Proposals must be submitted no later than May 12. A decision will be announced in June, for a contract beginning as early as July 1.
For more details, read the entire request for proposals online.
From Maryville:
Maryville College is holding its inaugural artificial intelligence (AI) summit this week at its new Downtown Center, 118 East Church Avenue. Titled “Teaching with AI,” the event is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT. It is part of the College’s new AI Initiative.
Guest speakers include Maryville City Schools’ Director of Technology Wesley Lombardo and Jacob Williams, Editor-in-Chief of the Northern Kentucky Law Review. Entrance is free, but seating is limited, so registration is highly encouraged through the college’s AI Initiative webpage (click here to register). Lunch will be provided by Blount Partnership.
From Johnson City:
FoundersForge has issued a “save-the-date” notice for its annual “Start-up Mountain Summit.” This year’s event, which will launch with a $10,000 pitch competition, is scheduled for November 6-8 at East Tennessee State University’s Brinkley Center.
According to the promotional materials, the 2025 event features a new format with even more focus on networking, workshops, and speakers that provide actionable advice you will use to launch a start-up or take it to the next level.
From Brentwood:
Voom Medical Devices Inc., a leader in minimally invasive orthopedic solutions, has announced the successful closing of a $30 million capital raise through a combination of debt and Series B equity financing. The debt capital raise was structured as a tranche term loan with accompanying warrants led by Avenue Venture Opportunities Fund L.P., a fund of Avenue Capital Group.
The financing will accelerate Voom’s commercialization efforts while supporting the continued development of its expanding MIS portfolio for next-generation surgical technologies and techniques. At the forefront is the Company’s groundbreaking Bunionplasty® 360 Repair™ Procedure, featuring the industry’s first and only Single-Screw™ solution—the Revcon™ Anchor – combined with the company’s patented and patent-pending surgical techniques.
Since Voom’s initial market launch in May 2023, it has transformed bunion correction surgery by delivering a walking recovery, less pain, fewer complications, and improved patient outcomes when compared to traditional surgery. Recently the company announced its new single-use sterile Revcon™ Screw System featuring the innovative MIBS CoPilot™ Shift + Targeting Guide.
Another from Nashville:
For at least the second year in a row, Tennessee ranked #3 among all states in Chief Executive Magazine’s annual survey of the best and worst places to do business. That’s according to a survey of more than 650 Chief Executive Officers that was conducted in January 2025. Two much larger states in terms of population – Texas (#1) and Florida (#2) – bested Tennessee. Two neighbors – North Carolina (#4) and Georgia (#5) were right behind the Volunteer State.
The magazine noted that “Tennessee has witnessed notable investments and expansions in the past couple of years, particularly in manufacturing and healthcare. BlueOval City, a $5.6 billion mega campus in Stanton, continues to grow and attract new tenants. Avancez announced in March 2023 a $54 million investment and more than 500 new jobs at its operations there. The Greenheck Group also announced in January 2024 a $300 million investment and 440 new jobs at its campus in Knoxville. Furthermore, Tennessee continues to attract businesses seeking to establish headquarters and R&D operations, as evidenced by Type One Energy Group’s April 2024 announcement to set up its headquarters and expand R&D operations in the state. The significant financial commitment enhances Tennessee’s reputation as a center for innovation and technology-driven enterprises.”
And Yet Another from Nashville:
Launch Tennessee’s Chuck Layne joined Kayla Meisner of Kentucky Commercialization Ventures and Carlos Baez from the Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust for a recent conversation hosted by the State Science and Technology Institute. The topic was the emerging trend of creating centralized tech transfer offices serving multiple institutions, something Layne knows well from his role as the nonprofit’s Senior Technology Advancement Manager.
The recording of the session can be downloaded here.
