Organization · Government VC
LaunchTN
Launch Tennessee is a public-private partnership that supports the startup ecosystem in Tennessee through capital, connections, and commercialization. It invests in early-stage startups and venture funds, facilitating collaboration among entrepreneurs, investors, and government entities.
Overview
What LaunchTN does
What LaunchTN is
Launch Tennessee is a public-private partnership that supports the startup ecosystem in Tennessee through capital, connections, and commercialization. It invests in early-stage startups and venture funds, facilitating collaboration among entrepreneurs, investors, and government entities.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder and community capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Government VC
- Structured capabilities
- Funder · Community
- Last reviewed
- May 3, 2026
Official channels
Find LaunchTN elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
LaunchTN as a funder
Investment thesis
LaunchTN empowers innovators across Tennessee by providing capital, commercialization, and connections through a public-private partnership model.
Focus narrative
Launch Tennessee invests in early-stage startups and venture funds located in Tennessee. Its investment programs include the InvestTN Fund, which focuses on venture-suited companies seeking Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, and B funding. Additionally, Launch Tennessee provides support for commercialization through grant-writing assistance and technology transfer, fostering connections through events and partnerships.
Value beyond capital
Launch Tennessee adds value to its portfolio companies by providing not only capital but also commercialization support, mentorship, and access to a network of regional Entrepreneur Centers. The organization facilitates connections with industry partners and offers resources for grant writing and technology transfer, enhancing the growth potential of startups.
Terms and economics
- Sweet spot
- $680,000
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed · Series A · Series B
- Regions
- United StatesNorth America
Availability
- Currently deploying
- Yes
Portfolio and track record
- Recorded portfolio count
- 39
Portfolio context
Launch Tennessee has made direct investments in various companies across all 95 counties in Tennessee. Notable portfolio companies include 4M Carbon Fiber, Adele Health, American Hometown Media, Angel Eye Health, AnyCreek, Approva, Aquatrino, Arena Labs, Ascend Manufacturing, At Home Ads, ATS Innovations, Augment Health, Authentrics.Ai, BEAST, Black Business Boom, and Branch Technology.
Capability profile
LaunchTN as a community
Community overview
Launch Tennessee is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting the startup ecosystem in Tennessee. As a public-private partnership, it aims to empower innovators by facilitating collaboration among founders, investors, researchers, the private sector, and government entities. The organization focuses on providing resources and support to early-stage startups and venture funds located in Tennessee, fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial environment across the state.
Community focus
Launch Tennessee invests in early-stage startups and venture funds within Tennessee. Its investment programs, including the InvestTN Fund, target venture-suited companies seeking Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, and B funding. The organization also emphasizes commercialization support through grant-writing assistance and technology transfer, while fostering connections through various events and partnerships.
Member value
Members of Launch Tennessee benefit from access to capital, commercialization support, and a robust network of connections within the startup ecosystem. The organization provides resources for grant writing, technology transfer, and opportunities to engage with investors and industry leaders, enhancing the growth potential of Tennessee-based startups.
Membership
- Pricing models
- free
Format and cadence
- Modality
- in-person
- Schedule
- rolling-admissions
- Commitment
- light
Availability
- Membership state
- Accepting
- Next recorded event
- September 8, 2025
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders · Investors · Corporate Innovators
- Benefits
- network-access and mentorship
- Program types
- community
- Selection criteria
- open
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed · Series A · Series B
- Regions
- United States
Community activity
- Annual events
- 2
Events and activity
Launch Tennessee hosts several key events, including the annual 3686 entrepreneur conference, which brings together innovators, investors, and industry leaders to share insights and foster collaboration. Additionally, the organization participates in the Tennessee House activation at SXSW in Austin, showcasing Tennessee's innovation at this prominent event.
Notable members
Key team members include Stuart McWhorter, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development; Lindsey Cox, CEO; and various leaders from academia and industry, such as Dr. H.M. Hashemian from Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Lauren Ingram, an angel investor. The organization collaborates with numerous partners across the state to enhance its impact.
Common questions
What to know about LaunchTN
Upseed classifies LaunchTN under the Government VC organization type. Its current public profile includes funder and community capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
May 3, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.