Through flagship initiatives including the Tennessee Technology Advancement Consortium (TTAC), LaunchTN accelerates university technology transfer and commercialization statewide. TTAC provides faculty and student innovators with ideation support, proof-of-concept funding, SBIR/STTR assistance, and pathways to startup formation and industry partnerships—bridging the gap between academic research and market-ready ventures.
LaunchTN is Tennessee’s premier public-private partnership and the state’s dedicated hub for entrepreneurship and innovation. By delivering critical access to capital, commercialization resources, and strategic connections, LaunchTN empowers founders, researchers, and innovators to transform ideas into high-growth companies that drive economic impact across Tennessee and the broader Southeast region.
Wake Forest University, a private research institution in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is a dynamic force in the Southeast’s innovation ecosystem, driving entrepreneurial ventures and research commercialization. Renowned for its strengths in business, law, medicine, and data science, Wake Forest fuels startup growth through its Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Quarter.
Baylor College of Medicine, a leading private medical and research institution in Houston, Texas, drives innovation at the intersection of healthcare, biotechnology, and entrepreneurship.
The University of Virginia, a premier public research institution in Charlottesville, Virginia, is a catalyst for innovation and entrepreneurship in the Southeast. Renowned for its interdisciplinary strengths in engineering, business, medicine, and data science, UVA drives economic impact through its robust entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Clemson University, a Carnegie R1 public research institution in Clemson, South Carolina, is a driving force in innovation, blending academic excellence with entrepreneurial impact.
Florida State University (FSU), a premier public research university located in Tallahassee, Florida, stands as a powerhouse of innovation and entrepreneurship in the Southeast, driving transformative discoveries that fuel economic growth and societal impact.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), a dynamic public research university and academic health center in Birmingham, Alabama, stands as an engine of innovation and economic vitality in the Southeast, driving $12.1 billion in annual impact through its comprehensive ecosystem.
Located in the dynamic heart of downtown Nashville, Tennessee—Music City—the Renaissance Nashville Hotel offers an ideal setting for the Southeast Venture Showcase 2026 (SVS), blending modern sophistication with the city's vibrant energy. This premier 4-star Marriott, standing 31 floors tall since 1987, features 697 stylish guest rooms and suites with plush bedding, spacious workstations, and stunning views, perfect for entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators attending SVS.
Virginia Tech, a leading public land-grant research university in Blacksburg, Virginia, is renowned for its innovative integration of technology across all disciplines. With over 30,000 undergraduate students and a research portfolio exceeding $531 million, the university fosters a collaborative environment that drives impactful solutions for the commonwealth, nation, and world.
