Stories of Technology, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship in the Southeast

From Nashville:

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development announced last week the creation of its brand new Office of Innovation. In alignment with Governor Bill Lee‘s State of the State address, the goal of the new entity is to keep Tennessee at the forefront of research and development and industry advancements. “From nuclear energy to healthcare, manufacturing, and music, innovation drives our economy. With new investments, we’re strengthening Tennessee’s position as a top state for business,” the announcement read.

No word on who might lead the new Office.

From Chattanooga:

If you have been watching the Golf Channel, as we do frequently, you might have noticed a commercial for TikTok that features Felicia Jackson, Founder of CPRWrap Inc. As we have previously reported, she described an experience 14 years earlier when her then two-year-old son was choking in the back seat of the family car, and she forgot everything Jackson had learned as a person certified in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Fortunately, her husband swung into action, and the son survived, but it was a different experience in 2008 when a niece attempted suicide, only to be successfully revived by paramedics. Unfortunately, the relative died the next day.

The CPRWrap™ Aid is an innovative tool that helps make CPR easier. In an emergency, just remove the product from its quick-open package, lay it on the chest of the sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) victim, and follow the simple instructions. Made with an eco-friendly non-woven fabric, this is more than a CPR mask. It provides visual prompts to guide the rescuer through the American Heart Association-recommended steps of CPR. To ensure sanitary protection, the non-woven chest overlay includes a mouth-to-mouth, one-way breathing barrier, and face shield.

From Knoxville:

1. The National Science Foundation (NSF) issued a brief statement to invited NSF Engines proposers last week indicating its decision to delay the February 11 deadline for the current competition for Regional Innovation Engines to a new date yet to be determined. The explanation states, “NSF anticipates a revision to the NSF Regional Innovation Engines program solicitation (NSF-24-565). By NSF policy, if a solicitation is revised, the deadline will be extended, likely to a month from when the revised solicitation is published. We will notify you when we have more information, including a revised solicitation.” One of those affected is the University of Tennessee, Knoxville-led consortium known as TEAM TN.
2. The University of Tennessee Research Foundation (UTRF) has announced the appointment of Derek Eitzmann as its newest Assistant Technology Manager. Originally from Lincoln, NE, he brings a strong scientific background and a passion for innovation to his new role in UTRF’s Knoxville office. Eitzmann earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Iowa State University, where his graduate research focused on separating nucleic acids from complex matrices to improve downstream analysis. Through this work, he developed expertise in analyzing complex scientific problems and identifying key areas for impact. Eitzmann honed his ability to evaluate highly technical research and collaborate with industrial partners, faculty, peers, and students to drive meaningful projects forward. His academic contributions include five peer-reviewed publications, with involvement in several others.
3. The Golden Roast Coffee Roasters has officially opened its brand new location at the University of Tennessee Research Park at Cherokee Farm. Named The Golden Roast Innovation, the new location is on the east side of the 85,000-square-foot Innovation South Building, the newest complex on the property. The coffee shop opened on February 17.

 

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