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.
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.
Current and upcoming funding from Tennessee Technology Development that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Tennessee-based researchers and teams affiliated with research institutions; see program page for specific allowable expenses and eligibility.
$8.5M
$32.2M
$13M
$12.3M
Most grants fall between $50K and $285K, with a median of $100K.
25th Percentile
$50K
Median
$100K
75th Percentile
$285K
About 92% of grants go to recipients in TN.
LINDSEY COX
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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.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Who can apply: Applicants pursuing SBIR/STTR awards (small businesses and STTR-eligible research institution partners); see SBIR/STTR Matching Fund page for specifics.
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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 | $489,600 | 2025 | NETWORK PARTNER, INTERN STIPEND, COMMUNITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| STATHEROS LLC | CROSSVILLE, TN | $301,800 | 2025 | INTERN STIPEND, SBIR |
| ULTRASONIC TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS | KNOXVILLE, TN | $301,800 | 2025 | SBIR, INTERN STIPEND |
| SAFIRE TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC | TYSONS, VA | $301,800 | 2025 | INTERN STIPEND, SBIR |
| HEROWEAR LLC | NASHVILLE, IL | $300,000 | 2025 | SBIR |
| PRETEL INC | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $300,000 | 2025 | SBIR |
| VERY REAL HELP | NASHVILLE, TN | $300,000 | 2025 | SBIR |
| BRANCH TECHNOLOGY | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $300,000 | 2025 | SBIR |
| METAMORPH INC | NASHVILLE, TN | $300,000 | 2025 | SBIR |
| SYNC SPACE ENTREPRENEUR CENTER | KINGSPORT, TN | $292,200 | 2025 | NETWORK PARTNER, INTERN STIPEND, COMMUNITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| UPPER CUMBERLAND ENTREPRENEURIAL FOUNDATION | COOKEVILLE, TN | $282,200 | 2025 | NETWORK PARTNER, INTERN STIPEND |
| THECO | JACKSON, TN | $282,200 | 2025 | NETWORK PARTNER, INTERN STIPEND |
| KNOXVILLE ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER | KNOXVILLE, TN | $282,200 | 2025 | NETWORK PARTNER, INTERN STIPEND |
| COLAB | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $275,000 | 2025 | NETWORK PARTNER |
| VIBRANT MEMPHIS | MEMPHIS, TN | $275,000 | 2025 | NETWORK PARTNER |
| TENNSMART CONSORTIUM INC | OAK RIDGE, TN | $210,000 | 2025 | NETWORK PARTNER, COMMUNITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| PROOF PROGRAMS | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $207,200 | 2025 | NETWORK PARTNER, INTERN STIPEND |
| BIOTN FOUNDATION INC | NASHVILLE, TN | $200,000 | 2025 | NETWORK PARTNER |
| AGLAUNCH INITIATIVE | MEMPHIS, TN | $200,000 | 2025 | NETWORK PARTNER |
| TENNESSEE ADVANCED ENERGY BUSINESS COUNCIL | KNOXVILLE, TN | $200,000 | 2025 | NETWORK PARTNER |
| CROSSLINK | CROSSVILLE, TN | $197,121 | 2025 | SBIR |
| NORTHWEST TENNESSEE ENTREPRENEURSHIP INC | DYERSBURG, TN | $146,865 | 2025 | NETWORK PARTNER |
| DAYLYTE BATTERIES | KNOXVILLE, TN | $110,704 | 2025 | SBIR |
| FC RENEW LLC | KNOXVILLE, TN | $107,800 | 2025 | SBIR, GRANT CONSULTING, INTERN STIPEND |
| HOLOCENE CLIMATE CORPORATION | KNOXVILLE, TN | $105,400 | 2025 | SBIR, INTERN STIPEND |
| CAPTIS AIRE LLC | LENOIR CITY, TN | $104,000 | 2025 | GRANT CONSULTING, SBIR |
| SKYNANO LLC | KNOXVILLE, TN | $103,600 | 2025 | INTERN STIPEND, SBIR |
| PERSEUS MATERIALS | KNOXVILLE, TN | $103,600 | 2025 | INTERN STIPEND, SBIR |
| BECQ | CAMDEN, NJ | $102,700 | 2025 | INTERN STIPEND, SBIR |
| HERA HEALTH SOLUTIONS | MEMPHIS, TN | $101,800 | 2025 | SBIR, INTERN STIPEND |
| OCULOTHERAPY | MEMPHIS, TN | $100,000 | 2025 | SBIR |
| FINALLY LLC | NASHVILLE, TN | $100,000 | 2025 | SBIR |
| AGRICAPTURE INC | NASHVILLE, TN | $100,000 | 2025 | SBIR |
| ORION THERAPEUTICS | KNOXVILLE, TN | $100,000 | 2025 | SBIR |
| AMALGAMATED VISION LLC | BRENTWOOD, TN | $100,000 | 2025 | SBIR |
| VERACITY NUCLEAR LLC | LENOIR CITY, TN | $100,000 | 2025 | SBIR |
| SERIOUS HEALTH SERVICES | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $99,742 | 2025 | SBIR |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS | MEMPHIS, TN | $80,000 | 2025 | GRANT CONSULTING |
| TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY | NASHVILLE, TN | $80,000 | 2025 | GRANT CONSULTING |
| TENNESSEE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY | COOKEVILLE, TN | $80,000 | 2025 | GRANT CONSULTING |
| ADDIGURU LLC | KNOXVILLE, TN | $74,958 | 2025 | SBIR |
| AMERICAN NANOTECHNOLOGIES INC | KNOXVILLE, TN | $74,761 | 2025 | SBIR |
| ENDEAVOR COMPOSITES INC | KNOXVILLE, TN | $74,000 | 2025 | SBIR |
| SENTINEL DEVICES LLC | KNOXVILLE, TN | $72,314 | 2025 | INTERN STIPEND, SBIR |
| COVERT DEFENSES LLC | WEST LAFAYETTE, IN | $51,800 | 2025 | SBIR, INTERN STIPEND |
| SILVIS MATERIALS INC | BOULDER, TN | $50,000 | 2025 | SBIR |
| AYERS FOUNDATION TRUST | PARSONS, TN | $25,100 | 2025 | INTERN STIPEND, COMMUNITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| BUNKER LABS | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY | SYRACUSE, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| LOCALTEK FOUNDATION | GOODLETTSVILLE, TN | $23,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
NASHVILLE ENTREPRENEUR CENTER
$489,600NETWORK PARTNER, INTERN STIPEND, COMMUNITY PARTNER PROGRAM
STATHEROS LLC
$301,800INTERN STIPEND, SBIR
ULTRASONIC TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
$301,800SBIR, INTERN STIPEND
SAFIRE TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC
$301,800INTERN STIPEND, SBIR
HEROWEAR LLC
$300,000SBIR
PRETEL INC
$300,000SBIR
VERY REAL HELP
$300,000SBIR
BRANCH TECHNOLOGY
$300,000SBIR
METAMORPH INC
$300,000SBIR
SYNC SPACE ENTREPRENEUR CENTER
$292,200NETWORK PARTNER, INTERN STIPEND, COMMUNITY PARTNER PROGRAM
UPPER CUMBERLAND ENTREPRENEURIAL FOUNDATION
$282,200NETWORK PARTNER, INTERN STIPEND
THECO
$282,200NETWORK PARTNER, INTERN STIPEND
KNOXVILLE ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER
$282,200NETWORK PARTNER, INTERN STIPEND
COLAB
$275,000NETWORK PARTNER
VIBRANT MEMPHIS
$275,000NETWORK PARTNER
TENNSMART CONSORTIUM INC
$210,000NETWORK PARTNER, COMMUNITY PARTNER PROGRAM
PROOF PROGRAMS
$207,200NETWORK PARTNER, INTERN STIPEND
BIOTN FOUNDATION INC
$200,000NETWORK PARTNER
AGLAUNCH INITIATIVE
$200,000NETWORK PARTNER
TENNESSEE ADVANCED ENERGY BUSINESS COUNCIL
$200,000NETWORK PARTNER
CROSSLINK
$197,121SBIR
NORTHWEST TENNESSEE ENTREPRENEURSHIP INC
$146,865NETWORK PARTNER
DAYLYTE BATTERIES
$110,704SBIR
FC RENEW LLC
$107,800SBIR, GRANT CONSULTING, INTERN STIPEND
HOLOCENE CLIMATE CORPORATION
$105,400SBIR, INTERN STIPEND
CAPTIS AIRE LLC
$104,000GRANT CONSULTING, SBIR
SKYNANO LLC
$103,600INTERN STIPEND, SBIR
PERSEUS MATERIALS
$103,600INTERN STIPEND, SBIR
BECQ
$102,700INTERN STIPEND, SBIR
HERA HEALTH SOLUTIONS
$101,800SBIR, INTERN STIPEND
OCULOTHERAPY
$100,000SBIR
FINALLY LLC
$100,000SBIR
AGRICAPTURE INC
$100,000SBIR
ORION THERAPEUTICS
$100,000SBIR
AMALGAMATED VISION LLC
$100,000SBIR
VERACITY NUCLEAR LLC
$100,000SBIR
SERIOUS HEALTH SERVICES
$99,742SBIR
THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS
$80,000GRANT CONSULTING
TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
$80,000GRANT CONSULTING
TENNESSEE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
$80,000GRANT CONSULTING
ADDIGURU LLC
$74,958SBIR
AMERICAN NANOTECHNOLOGIES INC
$74,761SBIR
ENDEAVOR COMPOSITES INC
$74,000SBIR
SENTINEL DEVICES LLC
$72,314INTERN STIPEND, SBIR
COVERT DEFENSES LLC
$51,800SBIR, INTERN STIPEND
SILVIS MATERIALS INC
$50,000SBIR
AYERS FOUNDATION TRUST
$25,100INTERN STIPEND, COMMUNITY PARTNER PROGRAM
BUNKER LABS
$25,000COMMUNITY PARTNER PROGRAM
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY
$25,000COMMUNITY PARTNER PROGRAM
LOCALTEK FOUNDATION
$23,000COMMUNITY PARTNER PROGRAM
