Tennessee Technology Development Corp
Tennessee Technology Development Corporation, operating as Launch Tennessee (LaunchTN), is a public-private partnership headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. The organization was created by the Tennessee General Assembly in 1998 to support the development of high-growth companies throughout the state. With 23 employees, LaunchTN works to make Tennessee the leading place in the Southeast to start and grow a business.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$37.8M
+17.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$13.0M
+53.6% YoY
Grant Count
69
-5.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$188K
+62.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
LaunchTN's mission centers on supporting entrepreneurs and high-growth companies across Tennessee. The organization fulfills this mission through:
SBIR/STTR Support Program: Provides matching fund grants to Tennessee companies that have received federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards. The program aims to help Tennessee companies achieve higher-than-average success rates for Phase I and Phase II awards and to accelerate bringing research innovations to market.
Regional Entrepreneur Centers: Operates partnerships with seven regional entrepreneur centers located in Memphis, Jackson, Nashville, Cookeville, Chattanooga, Knoxville, and the Tri-Cities region.
Industry-Specific Support: Works with six statewide industry partners in sectors that add value to the Tennessee economy, including advanced energy, agricultural technology, consumer packaged goods, financial technologies, life sciences, and mobility.
Grantmaking
LaunchTN actively awards grants to support entrepreneurship and innovation across Tennessee. Recent grantmaking activity includes:
Ready to take the next step with Tennessee Technology Development Corp?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
LaunchTN operates statewide across Tennessee, with particular emphasis on seven regional entrepreneur center partnerships:
- Memphis
- Jackson
- Nashville
- Cookeville
- Chattanooga
- Knoxville
- Tri-Cities region
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total revenues: $13,023,314
- Total expenses: $12,283,617
- Total assets: $32,224,900
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $37,823,501 | $32,224,900 | $26,945,258 |
| Revenue | $17,648,522 | $13,023,314 | $13,419,783 |
| Expenses | $17,090,256 | $12,283,617 | $13,375,582 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $77,253 | $356,774 | $12,764 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
215 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
6 open opportunities from Tennessee Technology Development Corp
Innovation Fellowship
TENNESSEE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORP
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
SBIR/STTR Matching Fund
TENNESSEE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORP
Amount
Varies by award; program funded at $7 million (as of 2021)
Deadline
Rolling / Open
TTAC Partnership Program
TENNESSEE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORP
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Nashville Entrepreneur Center ($421,000), Fc Renew Llc ($308,000), Robotic Technologies of Tennessee Llc ($308,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ADELE HEALTH INC NASHVILLE, TN | GRANT CONSULTING, INTERN STIPEND, SXSW PARTICIPATION STIPEND | $6,500 |
| AGLAUNCH INITIATIVE MEMPHIS, TN | NETWORK PARTNERS | $200,000 |
| AMALGAMATED VISION LLC BRENTWOOD, TN | SBIR, INTERN STIPEND | $302,000 |
| ARENA LABS INC NASHVILLE, TN | SBIR, GRANT CONSULTING, INTERN STIPEND | $302,175 |
| AUROS PHARMA KINGSPORT, TN | GRANT CONSULTING | $6,000 |
| AVIATION RESOURCES AND CONSULTING SERVICES LLC COOKEVILLE, TN | SBIR | $300,000 |
| BBC ENTREPRENEURIAL TRAINING & CONSULTING ANN ARBOR, MI | GRANT CONSULTING | $12,500 |
| BETHANAMIST CORRYTON, TN | GRANT CONSULTING | $6,000 |
| BIOTN FOUNDATION INC NASHVILLE, TN | NETWORK PARTNERS | $200,000 |
| CE-RI-SS MATERIALS LLC KNOXVILLE, TN | SBIR | $100,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEVE CRAWFORD | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| BENJAMIN ORGEL | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| VICTORIA HIRSCHBERG | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| DR SUSAN HUBBARD | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| RYAN EGLY | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JULIA POLK | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JASON SCHMITT | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| SHAWN GLINTER | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| FRANK WILLIAMSON | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| DR HM HASH HASHEMIAN | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| DENNY WAYNE ROBINSON | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| CALVIN ANDERSON | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| SEN BO WATSON | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| ALAN BENTLEY | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| WINSTON JUSTICE | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| DR BRIAN NOLAND | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| LAUREN INGRAM | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| AJ BAHOU | SECRETARY/TREASURER | 2 | — |
| STUART MCWHORTER | CHAIR | 2 | — |
| LINDSEY COX | PRESIDENT & CEO | 37.5 | $240,425 |
| BRUCE DOEG | VICE CHAIR | 2 | — |
| ELLER KELLIHER | CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER | 37.5 | $195,208 |
| KATHERINE REALL | FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION DIRECTOR | 37.5 | $198,729 |
| EMILY MASTERS | DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR | 37.5 | $151,523 |
| CHLOE MORRISON | COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR | 37.5 | $105,296 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
LaunchTN publishes comprehensive reports documenting its impact and initiatives, including:
TTAC FY25 Annual Report
TTAC Pilot Year Report 2024
2023 Launch Tennessee SBIR/STTR Matching Fund Impact Report
Launch Tennessee Awards $7 Million in Matching Funds to 37 TN Businesses2023 Report on Scaling Up Benchmarking and Recommendations for Growing Tennessee's Tech-Based Economy
Quarterly Deal Reports
The organization maintains a Title VI Policy Statement addressing non-discrimination in its programs and services.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Tennessee Technology Development Corp fund?
LaunchTN's mission centers on supporting entrepreneurs and high-growth companies across Tennessee. The organization fulfills this mission through: • **SBIR/STTR Support Program**: Provides matching fund grants to Tennessee companies that have received federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards. The program aims to help Tennessee companies achieve higher-than-average success rates for Phase I and Phase II awards and to accelerate bringi…
How do I apply for a grant from Tennessee Technology Development Corp?
LaunchTN actively awards grants to support entrepreneurship and innovation across Tennessee. Recent grantmaking activity includes: • Awarded $7 million in matching funds to 37 Tennessee businesses through its SBIR/STTR matching fund program • Supported innovation with $500,000 in funding distributed to six teams The organization provides funding and connections to entrepreneurs through its network of regional centers and industry partners.
Where does Tennessee Technology Development Corp make grants?
LaunchTN operates statewide across Tennessee, with particular emphasis on seven regional entrepreneur center partnerships: • Memphis • Jackson • Nashville • Cookeville • Chattanooga • Knoxville • Tri-Cities region
What size grants does Tennessee Technology Development Corp award?
In 2025, Tennessee Technology Development Corp awarded 69 grants totaling $13.0M — an average of about $188K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Tennessee Technology Development Corp's EIN?
Tennessee Technology Development Corp's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 62-1765738. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Tennessee Technology Development Corp's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.