Nashville · Pre-Seed–Series B · 2 people tracked
Find your way into Launch Tennessee
367 people in our graph share verified history with the Launch Tennessee team — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.
Investment thesis
Launch Tennessee operates as a public-private partnership serving as Tennessee's hub for startups and innovation. Its mission is to empower innovators statewide by providing capital, commercialization support, and connections. On the capital side, it invests in venture capital firms and provides insight into Tennessee deals to help investors navigate the ecosystem, and it also makes direct investments. Its commercialization team supports researchers with grant-writing and funding assistance as they move ideas from lab to market. The organization fosters collaboration among founders, investors, researchers, the private sector, and government.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
Team · 2 people
from curated & public directories
What they invest in
from 36 of 47 portfolio companiesHealthtech ×12SaaS ×8Deep Tech ×7Medical Devices ×7AI & Machine Learning ×6Hardware ×6Biotech ×5Digital Health ×5
HQs:United States×30
Who they back
founder profiles across 15 portfolio companiesFounding team size:solo founder×52 founders×83 founders×2
Where their founders studiedfrom 18 founders with education data
Cornell ×2Florida State University ×2Stanford University ×2The University of Texas at Austin ×2University of Tennessee, Knoxville ×2
What their founders studiedfrom 21 founders with field-of-study data
Engineering ×12Business & Management ×9
Where their founders worked beforefrom 20 founders with career history
Arthrex ×2National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) ×2Queen's University ×2
Accelerator rootsportfolio companies that came through a program
7 founders hold a PhD · 7 hold an MBA (of 21 with degree data)
Investments · 47 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2024 · 22023 · 12022 · 12020 · 12018 · 12017 · 17 dated
American Hometown Media offers a content syndication platform that delivers recipe and food video content to publisher websites, monetizing the content through managed advertising placements.
AdTechCreator EconomyMarketing TechMedia & EntertainmentNashville, US
Lee Daniel Hammond(Executive Officer, Director)Doli Stepniewski(CTO)inMike Meyersin
Co-investorsBain Capital
AngelEye Health provides an integrated AI-driven platform for neonatal and pediatric care teams at hospitals, combining video monitoring, feeding management, patient education, and discharge coordination.
AI & Machine LearningDigital HealthHealthtechSaaS
Craig Garfield(Co-Founder & Co-PI, NICU2Home)Young Seok Lee(Co-Founder & Co-PI, NICU2Home)Christopher RandinJustin FrenchinDavid LandmaninBrett Jacksonin
Nashville, US
John Cascarano(Executive Officer, Director)
Co-investorsCallais Capital ManagementCapital InnovatorsSand Hill AngelsFounders FundKraken
Branch Technology uses patented digital fabrication and additive manufacturing to enable architects and designers to construct complex structural designs at scale.
Advanced ManufacturingConstruction TechDeep TechHardwareChattanooga, US
Ryan Lusk(Chief Executive Officer)in
Co-investorsBonaventure CapitalBrick Mortar VenturesChattanooga Renaissance FundGlobal BrainMetaPropMetaProp Ventures+1 more
Nashville, US
Tomer Ben-David(Director)Derek Brown(Executive Officer, Director)
Co-investorsSecocha Ventures
Cumberland Emerging Technologies provides development partnerships with researchers and companies to advance early-stage biomedical technologies toward commercialization, and operates a life sciences incubator facility in Nashville offering laboratory space and support services to pharmaceutical, medical device, and diagnostics firms.
BiotechDeep TechDigital HealthHealthtechMedical DevicesNashville, US
Children's Media Studio produces educational media, including the Sing And Spell phonics song and animation system, to teach early literacy skills such as letter sounds, sight words, and vocabulary.
EdTechMedia & Entertainment
Cathy Vangieri(President)inMark Radice(Director of Music)Todd Carter(Director of Animation & Technology)in
CivicEye develops cloud-based records management, case management, and digital evidence solutions for law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, courts, and jails.
Enterprise SoftwareGovTechSaaSCharlotte, US
Joshua South(President)in
Co-investorsCreativeCoRelevance Ventures
Couture Technologies provides an AI-powered sizing and fit suite—including size recommendations, fit agents, and 3D virtual try-on—delivered via API and web-based experiences to reduce size-related returns and speed up fittings.
AI & Machine LearningE-commerceRetail Tech
Daily Crunch is a women-owned snack brand that makes sprouted, seed oil-free nut snacks using a patented process of soaking and dehydrating (rather than roasting) nuts.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerFoodTechNashville, US
Laurel Orley(Co-founder)inDiane(Co-founder)Dan Stephenson(Executive Officer, Director)
Co-investorsAtlanta Technology AngelsMarket Square Ventures
Diatech Diabetes is a medical device company developing SmartFusion, a software platform and mobile app that monitors insulin infusion pumps for medication delivery failure and measures the accuracy of insulin delivery for people living with diabetes.
Digital HealthHealthtechMedical Devices
John Wilcox(Co-founder & CEO)inLuis E. Blanco(Co-founder & CTO)in
Co-investorsTA Associates
Co-investorsJohnson Venture PartnersRevUp Capital
Healing Innovations develops robotic rehabilitation technology aimed at improving health, mobility, and independence for people recovering from neurological injuries.
HealthtechMedical DevicesRoboticsNashville, US
Scott Benda(Executive Officer, Director)inLuke Benda(Executive Officer, Director)in
Co-investorsTechFarms Capital
Hera Health Solutions is a biotechnology company that develops a proprietary nanotechnology platform to reformulate existing pharmaceutical compounds into more effective and longer-acting therapies.
BiotechDeep TechHealthtechMedical DevicesMemphis, US
Garrett Whitfield(Executive Officer, Director)Idicula Mathew(Executive Officer, Director)
Co-investorsInnova Memphis, Inc.TechstarsInnova
Boomin University (Boomin U) provides small business owners with access to capital, coaching, and growth programs, including zero-interest business funding as well as marketing and bookkeeping support.
FintechImpact & Social GoodSpokane, US
First Stop Health provides virtual healthcare for employees through employer-sponsored plans, offering primary care, urgent care, and mental health services at no cost to members and their dependents.
Digital HealthHealthtechMental HealthChicago, US
InvestTN is a venture capital fund managed by Launch Tennessee that makes equity investments into early-stage startups located in Tennessee and venture capital funds.
FintechSector AgnosticTennessee, US
Lindsey Cox(Chief Executive Officer)Eller Kelliher(Chief Investment Officer)
Hytch is a map-native group messaging app that combines chat, maps, and coordination tools such as plan suggestions, polls, location sharing, quests, in-location reviews, SafeRide designated-driver coordination, and a shared group memory system.
ConsumerMobility & TransportationSocialNashville, US
MedProctor operates a platform for colleges and universities to manage student health compliance, including immunization record intake, student communications, and data tracking for regulatory requirements.
Digital HealthEdTechSaaS
Octerra is a marketing procurement platform that centralizes marketing production spend, giving brands, agencies, and vendors visibility into non-working spend, vendor management, and secure bidding.
Enterprise SoftwareMarketing TechSaaS
Co-investorsClaritas Capital
Possip provides a listening and feedback system that lets schools and organizations gather input from their communities via SMS, web, QR code, and email pulse checks or surveys, and turns responses into insights for action.
EdTechHR TechSaaSNashville, US
Shani Dowell(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)inChristine Fisher(Founder)in
Co-investorsFLYWHEELWocstar Capital
Preteckt uses AI and vehicle sensor data to provide predictive maintenance software that detects issues early, speeds up diagnostics, and reduces breakdowns.
AI & Machine LearningIoTLogistics & Supply ChainMobility & TransportationSaaSMemphis, US
Krishnaraj Inbarajan(Executive Officer, Director)Peter BassainSasha KucharczykinPeter Alexander Kucharczyk(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardMark Licht(Director)Jan Bouten(Director)in
Co-investors500 GlobalElev8.vcInnova Memphis, Inc.Las Olas Venture CapitalXG Ventures27V (Twenty Seven Ventures)+2 more
Quire provides custom AI, data science, and software development services, including automated clinical note summarization and predictive models for patient readmissions.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureHealthtech
Co-investorsInnova Memphis, Inc.
Rebel Audio is an AI-native podcasting platform that lets creators plan, record, edit, clip, transcribe, translate and publish podcasts through a chat-based workflow.
AI & Machine LearningCreator EconomyMedia & Entertainment
Co-investorsMarket Square Ventures
Rootine delivers personalized health and nutrition solutions using science-based approaches to support individual wellness goals.
ConsumerHealthtechWellness & FitnessNashville, US
Co-investorsCleo CapitalRelevance VenturesTechstarsCarta
RootNote provides data analytics and insights for content creators and businesses, helping them understand and optimize their content performance.
Creator EconomyData & InfrastructureGamingMarketing TechSaaSNashville, US
Jason Burchard(Chief Executive Officer)inJeremy Burchard(Chief Creative Officer)inChandler Barnes(Chief Technical Officer)in
BoardMyles Grote(Director)in
Co-investorsElevate VenturesHilltop Venture PartnersJohnson Venture PartnersLong Way VenturesPopstar VenturesTechstars+1 more
Chattanooga, US
Jay Jumper(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)J Pemberton Guerry(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Kent Cooper(Executive Officer)
BoardDan Marcum(Director)Cameron Newton(Director)Tory Johnston(Director)
Co-investorsRelevance Capital
SOMAVAC makes a smart surgical drain pump that delivers continuous sensor-controlled negative pressure therapy to the deep wound space, replacing traditional JP bulb drains and enabling earlier drain removal after surgery.
HardwareHealthtechMedical DevicesMemphis, US
Elizabeth Hoff(CEO)in
Co-investorsInnova Memphis, Inc.
Sparkz manufactures Cathode Active Material (CAM) for cobalt-free and nickel-free lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries in the United States, building a vertically integrated domestic supply chain for lithium-ion batteries.
Advanced ManufacturingCleantechEnergyCalifornia, US
Sanjiv Malhotra(Founder and CEO)in
Co-investorsUlu Ventures
StudioNow provides content production services for brands, combining producers, creator talent, and operational systems to scale social content, video, photography, and campaign assets.
Creator EconomyMarketing TechMedia & EntertainmentMissouri, US
Co-investorsBand of AngelsClaritas Capital
SweetBio develops wound care dressings that combine collagen and Mānuka honey to help close chronic and acute non-healing wounds.
BiotechHealthtechMedical DevicesMemphis, US
Isaac Rodriguez(Executive Officer, Director)inKayla Rodriguez(Executive Officer, Director)inMarsalas Whitaker(Executive Officer, Director)inKevin Graff(Executive Officer)
Co-investorsInnova Memphis, Inc.VamosVenturesInnova
Terra Watts is developing a technology to wirelessly transmit power through earthen material, aiming to provide energy access without traditional above-ground grid infrastructure.
CleantechDeep TechEnergyHardware
Kaitlyn A. Suarez(Founder)in
US BIOLOGIC develops orally delivered vaccines for disease prevention, applying partner technologies to its oral-delivery platform for wildlife, companion animals, food animals, and humans.
AgTechBiotechHealthtechMemphis, US
Mason Kauffman(Executive Officer, Director)inMichael Shmerling(Director)Thomas Monath(Director)Tommy Thompson(Director)David Williams(Director)Chris Przybyszewski(Executive Officer, Director)in
Variable Inc manufactures the Spectro 1 Pro, a portable spectrophotometer designed for precise color measurement at an affordable price point.
Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningCloud ComputingDeep TechHardwareNew MaterialsSaaSChattanooga, US
George Yu(Founder)inGeorge Y. Yu(Executive Officer)in
BoardSteve Chaddick(Director)Stephen Culp(Director)Mina Sartipi(Director)
Co-investorsChattanooga Renaissance FundAtlanta Technology Angels
Whisper Aero develops electric propulsion technology for aircraft, emphasizing quiet, efficient thrust for urban air mobility and logistics.
Deep TechDefense TechEnergyHardwareMobility & TransportationTennessee, US
Mark Moore(Co-Founder, CEO)inIan Villa(Co-Founder, COO, CPO)inDevon Jedamski(Chief Engineer)in
BoardShawn Carolan(Director)inThiago Olson(Director)
Co-investorsAbstract VenturesLux CapitalMenlo VenturesService Provider CapitalAero X VenturesSequoia Capital
Winter Innovations develops surgical tools for orthopedic procedures, with a focus on improving ligament and tendon repair techniques.
HardwareHealthtechMedical Devices
Lia Winter(CEO and Co-founder)inPreston Dishner(COO and Co-founder)in
Co-investorsBoston Harbor Angels
YouScience helps education leaders across the United States connect students to career pathways by assessing their natural aptitudes and linking them to educational and career opportunities.
EdTechFuture of WorkHR TechNashville, US
Martine Mahoney(Executive Officer)Thomas Cunningham(Executive Officer)John Philip Hardin(Chief Executive Officer)John Phillip Hardin(Chief Executive Officer)
BoardJohn Ingram(Director)Mary Elizabeth Wills(Director)
Co-investorsECMC Group
Other
Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.
Continue to Site >>DiagnovusGridSmartHubble TelemedicalLinusMinco Technologies Inc.PaintjetSecond Key
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companies
Variable · stocktitan.net · Aug 28, 2026
Impact Fund · prnewswire.com · Aug 24, 2026
CET · psc-cuny.org · Aug 18, 2026
AngelEye Health · aol.com · Aug 11, 2026
Rootine · fundediq.co · Jul 24, 2026
Whisper Aero · benzinga.com · Jul 18, 2026
Preteckt · startupfundraising.com · Jun 16, 2026
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Launch Tennessee made?
- Launch Tennessee has 47 tracked investments.
- What stage does Launch Tennessee invest at?
- Launch Tennessee invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B stages.
- What sectors does Launch Tennessee focus on?
- Launch Tennessee focuses on Advanced Manufacturing, Biotech, Data & Infrastructure, E-commerce, EdTech, Energy, Enterprise Software, Fintech, Hardware, Medical Devices, Mobility & Transportation, New Materials, SaaS, Sector Agnostic.
- Where is Launch Tennessee located?
- Launch Tennessee is headquartered in Nashville, US.
- Who does Launch Tennessee co-invest with?
- Launch Tennessee most often shares deals with Innova Memphis, Inc., Techstars, Claritas Capital, among 35 tracked co-investors.
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