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Launch Tennessee
Launch Tennessee is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and public-private partnership working to make Tennessee synonymous with high-growth startups.
Launch Tennessee
Launch Tennessee is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and public-private partnership working to make Tennessee synonymous with high-growth startups. As the state’s hub for startups and innovation, we connect founders to what they need most: capital, commercialization, and connections. From direct investment in early-stage companies to building a strong, statewide network of entrepreneur centers, we help startups launch, grow, and scale right here in Tennessee. We bring together founders, investors, researchers, corporations, and government to turn ideas into companies and companies into economic impact. We also host 3686, our flagship annual conference in Nashville, where the startup community comes together to build relationships, share ideas, and accelerate growth.
General information
Firm type
Private Equity
Year founded
—
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Nashville
Corporate office
Nashville, TN, United States
Frequently asked questions
Is Launch Tennessee a venture capital firm?
Launch Tennessee is a public-private partnership, not a traditional fund manager. It administers state-backed capital through co-investment vehicles like the INCITE Co-Investment Fund, which invests directly in startups alongside approved institutional VCs. It also operates a statewide network of entrepreneur centers and supports entrepreneurs with mentoring and matching-fund programs.
How does the INCITE Co-Investment Fund operate?
The INCITE Co-Investment Fund invests directly in Tennessee-headquartered, technology-enabled startups as a co-investor alongside lead institutional venture capital firms. It follows the terms of the lead investor targeting seed through Series A stages. The fund only deploys capital after an approved lead has committed to terms, providing a stamp of external validation.
What regions does Launch Tennessee cover?
Launch Tennessee covers the entire state through a network of six regional entrepreneur centers in Nashville, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, Jackson, and the Tri-Cities. This design aims to reach innovation assets across midsize metros, underserved rural areas, and established urban corridors alike.
Does Launch Tennessee offer non-dilutive capital to startups?
Yes. The organization administers the SBIR/STTR Matching Fund, which provides non-dilutive funding to Tennessee companies that have received federal Small Business Innovation Research or Small Business Technology Transfer grants. This extends runway alongside grant cycles without diluting founder equity.
What is Launch Tennessee's relationship to the state government?
Launch Tennessee is a public-private partnership established to catalyze entrepreneurship statewide. It receives state appropriations and manages public funds but operates with independent governance outside direct state agency bureaucracy. This structure allows it to deploy capital like an investor while remaining accountable to public economic-development goals.
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