As Tennessee’s hub for startups and innovation, Launch Tennessee’s mission is to empower innovators across Tennessee by providing capital, commercialization and connections.
Tennessee Technology Development Corp centers its grantmaking on helping Tennessee companies and research teams move from early technology to commercialization. The recent record shows a strong emphasis on SBIR/STTR support, matching grants, and venture-style capital programs, alongside awards that fund entrepreneur centers, network partners, internships, and commercialization events. The largest recent awards include $670,000 to Nashville Entrepreneur Center for program expenses for entrepreneur center work and $489,600 to the same organization for network partner, intern stipend, and community partner programming. Those awards sit alongside company-level support such as $308,640 to Skynano LLC for SBIR/STTR matching grants and internship stipends, and $306,000 to Mobius Pbc for SBIR/STTR matching grants and microgrant proposal support. Its portfolio also includes technology maturation and proof-of-concept work through the Tennessee Technology Advancement Consortium, which points to a funder that backs both the ecosystem around innovators and the technologies themselves. The foundation’s grants are local in scope and overwhelmingly reach recipients in Tennessee.
A major theme is SBIR/STTR commercialization support. The foundation gave $308,640 to Skynano LLC for matching grants for SBIR/STTR federal grants and an internship stipend, and $306,000 to Mobius Pbc for matching grants and microgrant support for SBIR/STTR proposal development. It also awarded $300,000 to Branch Technology for SBIR. Another clear thread is network and ecosystem building. Nashville Entrepreneur Center received $377,160 for program expenses for network partners and internship stipend, while Colab in Chattanooga got $305,000 for network partner expenses and sponsorship. Workforce and talent support appears through internship stipends tied to company and partner grants. The Co in Jackson received $304,320 for program expenses for network partners and internship stipend, and Knoxville Entrepreneurship Center received $303,240 for similar purposes. The Tennessee Technology Advancement Consortium programs add proof-of-concept, technology maturation, travel, and partnership support for researchers and entrepreneurs across the state.
$13M
$37.8M
$17.6M
$17.1M
Most grants fall between $50K and $285K, with a median of $100K.
25th Percentile
$50K
Median
$100K
75th Percentile
$285K
LINDSEY COX
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Typical grants cluster around six figures: the p25 is $49,991, the median is $100,000, and the p75 is $284,700. Recent awards also show repeated support to the same organizations across multiple years, including Nashville Entrepreneur Center, Branch Technology, and Statheros LLC. The funder is classified as a regular funder and makes program-related investments. Its activity mixes operating support, matching grants, microgrants, and internship stipends, with several active programs accepting unsolicited requests.
Grantmaking is concentrated in Tennessee, which accounts for 92% of grants and is also the top state by grant count. Recipient cities in the recent list include Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Jackson, Kingsport, Cookeville, Memphis, Crossville, Tullahoma, Collierville, Brentwood, and Lenoir City. Outside Tennessee, recent grants also reached Tysons, Virginia; Camden, New Jersey; and Nashville, Illinois.
The foundation supports Tennessee startups, entrepreneur centers, network partners, researchers, and commercialization-focused organizations. Recent grants include support for SBIR/STTR-pursuing companies, internship stipends, program expenses for entrepreneur centers, and partnership awards for research commercialization programs.
Typical grants sit in the six-figure range. The reported p25 is $49,991, the median is $100,000, and the p75 is $284,700.
Yes. Its geographic scope is local, and 92% of grants go to recipients in Tennessee, which is also the top state by grant count.
Active programs include SBIR/STTR matching funds, proof-of-concept grants, technology maturation grants, travel grants for commercialization-related events, partnership awards, and capital access initiatives for Tennessee startups.
Yes. The recent grants list shows repeated support across multiple years for organizations such as Nashville Entrepreneur Center, Branch Technology, and Statheros LLC, indicating ongoing relationships rather than one-time awards.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Tennessee Technology Development that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Applicants pursuing SBIR/STTR awards (small businesses and STTR-eligible research institution partners); see SBIR/STTR Matching Fund page for specifics.
Who can apply: Tennessee-based researchers and teams affiliated with research institutions; see program page for specific allowable expenses and eligibility.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NASHVILLE ENTREPRENEUR CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $421,000 | 2026 | NETWORK PARTNERS, SURVEY STIPEND, INTERN STIPEND |
| ROBOTIC TECHNOLOGIES OF TENNESSEE LLC | COOKEVILLE, TN | $308,000 | 2026 | SBIR, INTERN STIPEND |
| FC RENEW LLC | KNOXVILLE, TN | $308,000 | 2026 | SBIR, GRANT CONSULTING, INTERN STIPEND |
| RELIABLE MICROSYSTEMS | FRANKLIN, TN | $304,000 | 2026 | SBIR, INTERN STIPEND |
| YAYA SCIENTIFIC | FRANKLIN, TN | $304,000 | 2026 | SBIR, INTERN STIPEND |
| PERSEUS MATERIALS | KNOXVILLE, TN | $304,000 | 2026 | SBIR, INTERN STIPEND |
| SKYNANO LLC | KNOXVILLE, TN | $304,000 | 2026 | SBIR, INTERN STIPEND |
| ULTRASONIC TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS | KNOXVILLE, TN | $304,000 | 2026 | SBIR, INTERN STIPEND |
| WINTER INNOVATIONS INC | KNOXVILLE, TN | $304,000 | 2026 | SBIR, INTERN STIPEND |
| ENDEAVOR COMPOSITES INC | KNOXVILLE, TN | $304,000 | 2026 | SBIR, INTERN STIPEND |
| ARENA LABS INC | NASHVILLE, TN | $302,175 | 2026 | SBIR, GRANT CONSULTING, INTERN STIPEND |
| AMALGAMATED VISION LLC | BRENTWOOD, TN | $302,000 | 2026 | SBIR, INTERN STIPEND |
| NEURODYNE | GERMANTOWN, TN | $300,000 | 2026 | SBIR |
| STATHEROS LLC | KNOXVILLE, TN | $300,000 | 2026 | SBIR |
| INFUSENSE CORP | NASHVILLE, TN | $300,000 | 2026 | SBIR |
| VIBRONYX | FRANKLIN, TN | $300,000 | 2026 | SBIR |
| VOLUMETRIX LLC | NASHVILLE, TN | $300,000 | 2026 | SBIR |
| TAVO BIOTHERAPEUTICS INC | MEMPHIS, TN | $300,000 | 2026 | SBIR |
| AVIATION RESOURCES AND CONSULTING SERVICES LLC | COOKEVILLE, TN | $300,000 | 2026 | SBIR |
| EDEN CONCEPTS LLC | KNOXVILLE, TN | $300,000 | 2026 | SBIR |
| COVERT DEFENSES LLC | WEST LAFAYETTE, IN | $300,000 | 2026 | SBIR |
| DAXOR | OAK RIDGE, TN | $300,000 | 2026 | SBIR |
| ENEXOR ENERGY LLC | FRANKLIN, TN | $300,000 | 2026 | SBIR |
| ENDOTHEIA INC | NASHVILLE, TN | $300,000 | 2026 | SBIR |
| IMMUNO TECHNOLOGIES INC | MEMPHIS, TN | $300,000 | 2026 | SBIR |
| SYNC SPACE ENTREPRENEUR CENTER | KINGSPORT, TN | $278,000 | 2026 | NETWORK PARTNERS, SURVEY STIPEND, INTERN STIPEND |
| KNOXVILLE ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER | KNOXVILLE, TN | $276,000 | 2026 | NETWORK PARTNERS, SURVEY STIPEND |
| THECO | JACKSON, TN | $255,000 | 2026 | NETWORK PARTNERS, SURVEY STIPEND, INTERN STIPEND |
| UPPER CUMBERLAND ENTREPRENEURIAL FOUNDATION | COOKEVILLE, TN | $255,000 | 2026 | NETWORK PARTNERS, SURVEY STIPEND, INTERN STIPEND |
| VIBRANT MEMPHIS | MEMPHIS, TN | $253,000 | 2026 | NETWORK PARTNERS, SURVEY STIPEND, INTERN STIPEND |
| COLAB | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $252,000 | 2026 | NETWORK PARTNERS, SURVEY STIPEND |
| TENNESSEE ADVANCED ENERGY BUSINESS COUNCIL | KNOXVILLE, TN | $236,000 | 2026 | NETWORK PARTNERS, SURVEY STIPEND |
| TENNSMART CONSORTIUM INC | OAK RIDGE, TN | $201,000 | 2026 | NETWORK PARTNERS, SURVEY STIPEND |
| AGLAUNCH INITIATIVE | MEMPHIS, TN | $200,000 | 2026 | NETWORK PARTNERS |
| BIOTN FOUNDATION INC | NASHVILLE, TN | $200,000 | 2026 | NETWORK PARTNERS |
| CROSSLINK | CROSSVILLE, TN | $197,121 | 2026 | SBIR |
| HEALING INNOVATIONS INC | NASHVILLE, TN | $187,000 | 2026 | SBIR |
| NORTHWEST TENNESSEE ENTREPRENEURSHIP INC | DYERSBURG, TN | $178,000 | 2026 | NETWORK PARTNERS, SURVEY STIPEND, INTERN STIPEND |
| PROOF PROGRAMS | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $153,000 | 2026 | NETWORK PARTNERS, SURVEY STIPEND, INTERN STIPEND |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS | MEMPHIS, TN | $106,000 | 2026 | TTAC |
| TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY | NASHVILLE, TN | $105,000 | 2026 | TTAC |
| TENNESSEE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY | COOKEVILLE, TN | $105,000 | 2026 | TTAC |
| MEHARRY MEDICAL COLLEGE | NASHVILLE, TN | $105,000 | 2026 | TTAC |
| WHISPER AERO INC | CROSSVILLE, TN | $104,000 | 2026 | SBIR, INTERN STIPEND |
| SEAK THERAPEUTICS LLC | MEMPHIS, TN | $101,000 | 2026 | SBIR, GRANT CONSULTING |
| GLANRIS INC | MEMPHIS, TN | $100,000 | 2026 | SBIR |
| OAK RIDGE THERAPEUTIC DISCOVERY ORRXD LLC | MEMPHIS, TN | $100,000 | 2026 | SBIR |
| SENTINEL DEVICES LLC | KNOXVILLE, TN | $100,000 | 2026 | SBIR |
| VERACITY NUCLEAR LLC | LENOIR CITY, TN | $100,000 | 2026 | SBIR |
| EARTHEN INC | CHANDLER, AZ | $100,000 | 2026 | SBIR |
NETWORK PARTNERS, SURVEY STIPEND, INTERN STIPEND
ROBOTIC TECHNOLOGIES OF TENNESSEE LLC
$308,000SBIR, INTERN STIPEND
FC RENEW LLC
$308,000SBIR, GRANT CONSULTING, INTERN STIPEND
RELIABLE MICROSYSTEMS
$304,000SBIR, INTERN STIPEND
YAYA SCIENTIFIC
$304,000SBIR, INTERN STIPEND
PERSEUS MATERIALS
$304,000SBIR, INTERN STIPEND
SKYNANO LLC
$304,000SBIR, INTERN STIPEND
ULTRASONIC TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
$304,000SBIR, INTERN STIPEND
WINTER INNOVATIONS INC
$304,000SBIR, INTERN STIPEND
ENDEAVOR COMPOSITES INC
$304,000SBIR, INTERN STIPEND
ARENA LABS INC
$302,175SBIR, GRANT CONSULTING, INTERN STIPEND
AMALGAMATED VISION LLC
$302,000SBIR, INTERN STIPEND
NEURODYNE
$300,000SBIR
STATHEROS LLC
$300,000SBIR
INFUSENSE CORP
$300,000SBIR
VIBRONYX
$300,000SBIR
VOLUMETRIX LLC
$300,000SBIR
TAVO BIOTHERAPEUTICS INC
$300,000SBIR
AVIATION RESOURCES AND CONSULTING SERVICES LLC
$300,000SBIR
EDEN CONCEPTS LLC
$300,000SBIR
COVERT DEFENSES LLC
$300,000SBIR
DAXOR
$300,000SBIR
ENEXOR ENERGY LLC
$300,000SBIR
ENDOTHEIA INC
$300,000SBIR
IMMUNO TECHNOLOGIES INC
$300,000SBIR
SYNC SPACE ENTREPRENEUR CENTER
$278,000NETWORK PARTNERS, SURVEY STIPEND, INTERN STIPEND
THECO
$255,000NETWORK PARTNERS, SURVEY STIPEND, INTERN STIPEND
UPPER CUMBERLAND ENTREPRENEURIAL FOUNDATION
$255,000NETWORK PARTNERS, SURVEY STIPEND, INTERN STIPEND
VIBRANT MEMPHIS
$253,000NETWORK PARTNERS, SURVEY STIPEND, INTERN STIPEND
TENNESSEE ADVANCED ENERGY BUSINESS COUNCIL
$236,000NETWORK PARTNERS, SURVEY STIPEND
TENNSMART CONSORTIUM INC
$201,000NETWORK PARTNERS, SURVEY STIPEND
AGLAUNCH INITIATIVE
$200,000NETWORK PARTNERS
BIOTN FOUNDATION INC
$200,000NETWORK PARTNERS
CROSSLINK
$197,121SBIR
HEALING INNOVATIONS INC
$187,000SBIR
NORTHWEST TENNESSEE ENTREPRENEURSHIP INC
$178,000NETWORK PARTNERS, SURVEY STIPEND, INTERN STIPEND
PROOF PROGRAMS
$153,000NETWORK PARTNERS, SURVEY STIPEND, INTERN STIPEND
THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS
$106,000TTAC
TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
$105,000TTAC
TENNESSEE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
$105,000TTAC
WHISPER AERO INC
$104,000SBIR, INTERN STIPEND
SEAK THERAPEUTICS LLC
$101,000SBIR, GRANT CONSULTING
GLANRIS INC
$100,000SBIR
OAK RIDGE THERAPEUTIC DISCOVERY ORRXD LLC
$100,000SBIR
SENTINEL DEVICES LLC
$100,000SBIR
VERACITY NUCLEAR LLC
$100,000SBIR
EARTHEN INC
$100,000SBIR
