UT Ventures, the university system's first angel network, has grown to 20 members and is now accepting startups and investors alike.

The Tennessee Valley Corridor was organized in 1995 with a vision to link the “Oak Ridge Corridor” to the Department of Energy, Tennessee Valley Authority and the University of Tennessee to showcase the wealth of brainpower in the mid-East Tennessee region.

"What we're really trying to do is build technology that allows utility teams to have visibility into their infrastructure," said co-founder Avi Gotskind.

UT already has more than 30 faculty working in quantum materials research and 10 more focused on quantum hardware and software. Over the next four years, K-Quantum plans to add up to 10 additional faculty with quantum expertise.

If you’re plugged into Knoxville’s startup scene, you already know Max Gallinek‘s name. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) sophomore has built more ventures before his junior year than most people attempt in a lifetime.

Four energy start-ups. A room full of the right people. One night to make connections that could keep them in Tennessee.

A move that the UT Research Park says will strengthen East Tennessee's growing healthcare and biosciences innovation hub.

The agreement comes as Tennessee invests $43 million through its Tennessee Quantum Initiative to build the state's standing in the field.