Best Launch Tennessee Podcasts (2024)

1
Winner of the 2020 Pitch Competition Shares Her Experience as an Entrepreneur 20:54

3+ y ago20:54

20:54

Amber Hayes understands that technology can create solutions to common problems, it just requires a little creativity. Amber is the CEO of SecondKeys — a holistic property management platform that’s reshaping the management and maintenance process — and the winner of the 36|86 Festival’s 2020 Pitch Competition. In this episode, she describes the pr…

1
A Look at New Opportunities in Investment Space with Republic Director 21:04

3+ y ago21:04

21:04

Cheryl Campos knows that investing in startups can be a great strategy for building wealth, but until recently, most Americans couldn’t participate. As Director of Growth and Partnerships at Republic, Cheryl is working to help startups scale with equity crowdfunding. In this episode, she explains how crowd investing creates new opportunities for tr…

1
Taking Advantage of Underserved Markets with 500 Startups 28:59

3+ y ago28:59

28:59

Amit Bhatti, principal at San Francisco investment firm 500 Startups, recognizes that founders who come from less traditional markets often bring a unique level of hard work and determination. Amit invests in founders around the world and manages the fund’s portfolio of more than 2,000 companies. In this episode, he explains how COVID-19 has change…

1
Capital Raising Opportunities in the Southeast with Mucker Capital 33:32

3+ y ago33:32

33:32

Monique Villa doesn’t just dispel myths that founders in the Southeast are handicapped by lack of resources, talent, or funding, she believes they can gain significant advantages growing their startups here. Monique is an investor at Mucker Capital and a co-founder of Build in SE, where she works to help startups in the region thrive and succeed. M…

1
Building a Fashion Brand in the South with SAVAS Founder 28:01

3+ y ago28:01

28:01

Savannah Yarborough loves helping people tap into their creativity and individualism. As the owner and creative director of SAVAS, Savannah works closely with her clients throughout the entire process of creating custom leather jackets. In this episode, Savannah shares the inspiration behind her business, and she describes some of the unique challe…

1
Leading through a Crisis with Goo Goo Cluster’s Operations VP 22:46

3+ y ago22:46

22:46

Laurie Spradley believes transparency is an essential aspect of leadership. As the vice president of operations and brand development at Goo Goo Cluster, her family’s business, she’s put that belief into practice while helping her team navigate a major and sudden change in revenue due to COVID-19. In this episode, Laurie shares some of the strategi…

1
The Role Systemic Racism Plays in Nashville’s Healthcare History, with Marcus Whitney 35:40

3+ y ago35:40

35:40

Marcus Whitney wants people to understand that Nashville’s healthcare system is rooted in systemic racism. He’s an entrepreneur, author and member of LaunchTN’s Board of Directors, and in the summer of 2020, he wrote an essay entitled “Calling Up to Nashville’s Health Care Leaders” which addressed those problems and called upon leaders to make a ch…

1
Integrating Wellness and Inclusion with TRILUNA Co-Founders 53:16

3+ y ago53:16

53:16

Ashley Brooke James and Elizabeth Moore, co-founders of TRILUNA Wellness, want to help people access a more holistic version of wellness — instead of focusing only on fitness and dieting. In this episode, recorded at LaunchTN’s 36|86 Festival 2020, Ashley and Elizabeth join guest host Kevin Roddey of Pinnacle Financial Partners to explain how they’…

1
Establishing Tennessee as a hub of entrepreneurship 38:40

4y ago38:40

38:40

In this special season 3 finale of Disrupt the Continuum, host Clark Buckner and Launch Tennessee interim CEO Van Tucker provide a snapshot of what makes Tennessee the ideal place to start and grow a business. They revisit conversations with each of Launch Tennessee’s network partners across the state, and Van explains what’s next for her organizat…

1
Sumeet Chahal on connecting veterans to the entrepreneurial ecosystem 32:15

4y ago32:15

32:15

Sumeet Chahal, Regional Executive Director for Bunker Labs’ Central Region, wants to help veterans access the massive community and resources they may not realize they have. At Bunker Labs, veterans can build a business with help from a network of other military-connected individuals. Sumeet shares some exciting stories of entrepreneurs who are ove…

1
Elevating the life sciences in Tennessee 35:59

4y ago35:59

35:59

Abby Trotter, Executive Director of Life Science Tennessee, believes the state’s best opportunities for growth and economic development reside in the life sciences. In this episode, Abby — along with Life Science Tennessee’s Chairman of the Board Ted Townsend — share some of the exciting progress happening in the industry, in terms of both scientif…

1
Connecting entrepreneurs to an ecosystem of support 33:28

4y ago33:28

33:28

Jim Biggs, executive director of the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, wants to help entrepreneurs connect with the resources they need to succeed. In this episode, Jim and KEC Board Chair Brandon Bruce share their insight into the factors that make Knoxville’s entrepreneurial community so unique. They also describe the work they’re doing to support m…

1
Celebrating stories of entrepreneurship 24:59

4y ago24:59

24:59

Ben Ferguson and Lisa Garner, cofounder and executive director of theCO, respectively, are proud that Jackson, Tennessee has become a regional hub for entrepreneurship and economic development. With theCO, they’re supporting rural entrepreneurship, providing technical training to students and elevating the stories of individuals who make their comm…

1
Changing the narrative around rural entrepreneurship 24:09

4y ago24:09

24:09

Heath Guinn, President and Executive Director of Sync Space, wants to prove that rural communities bring something special to the table when it comes to entrepreneurship. With Sync Space, he’s working to support startups and attract new companies to the Tri-Cities. Heath unpacks the mutually beneficial relationship he sees between entrepreneurs and…

1
Fostering innovation in times of crisis 27:46

4y ago27:46

27:46

Leslie Smith, Founding CEO of Epicenter Memphis and current national director for Gender Equality in Tech Cities, believes entrepreneurs are uniquely equipped to rise to the challenge in times of crisis. She’s worked hard to help build a collaborative entrepreneurship community that supports the whole city’s economic growth. Leslie offers an inside…

1
Turning energy innovation into economic growth 23:16

4y ago23:16

23:16

Cortney Piper, Executive Director of Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council, sees Tennessee’s advanced energy industry as a powerful force for economic development and job creation. In this episode, Cortney shares her vision for helping energy companies become global leaders, and she explains how TAEBC is partnering with Launch Tennessee to sup…

1
Supporting startups of all sizes 26:02

4y ago26:02

26:02

Marcus Shaw, CEO of CO.LAB, wants people around the world to recognize Chattanooga’s appeal for growing successful companies. In this episode, Marcus explains how CO.LAB is helping startups of all sizes connect with the opportunities and resources they need, tapping into the unique advantages Tennessee offers entrepreneurs. He also shares why he’s …

1
Stimulating entrepreneurship in rural Tennessee 26:06

4y ago26:06

26:06

Jeff Brown, cofounder, President and CEO of The Biz Foundry, believes rural communities have unique contributions to offer the startup world. He and The Biz Foundry Director of Outreach and Engagement Tiffany Anton discuss their efforts to support entrepreneurs in the Upper Cumberland region and share stories of startups that are changing their com…

1
Nashville, A City Built on Entrepreneurship 24:24

4y ago24:24

24:24

Jane Allen, CEO of the Nashville Entrepreneur Center, and Vice President for Inclusion and Community Relations Brynn Plummer, believe Nashville is a city that was built on entrepreneurship. They explain how the NEC is helping entrepreneurs navigate the wealth of resources available to them, connecting people to the tools they need to start and grow…

1
How LaunchTN’s Statewide Network Helps Build TN 3:48

4y ago3:48

3:48

We’ve got your inside look at how LaunchTN’s statewide network and boots-on-the-ground startups are working to build Tennessee’s incredible entrepreneurial ecosystem. Leaders from across the state reveal why Tennessee continues to offer a competitive advantage for entrepreneurs looking to build and scale their businesses through statewide resources…

1
Week on the Hill: Connecting entrepreneurs with policymakers statewide 20:30

4+ y ago20:30

20:30

The 2020 Legislative Reception took place during the last week of February, at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in downtown Nashville. It marked the beginning of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Week, an annual event giving entrepreneurs and their supporters an opportunity to meet with Tennessee legislators and discuss issues most relevant to b…

1
Alex West Steinman on advocating for spaces that work for women 18:28

4+ y ago18:28

18:28

Alex West Steinman, CEO and cofounder of The Coven, illuminates the power of an inclusive and collaborative workspace. The Coven is a coworking space designed to give women, nonbinary, and trans professionals the resources they need to thrive — and Alex is excited to bring that magic to Nashville. She also tackles what entrepreneurs often get wrong…

1
Angela Proffitt on working smarter as an entrepreneur 16:27

5y ago16:27

16:27

Angela Proffitt, an event and productivity consultant based in Nashville, shares her journey as an entrepreneur and unpacks some of the lessons she’s learned along the way. Angela dives into some of the productivity hacks and workflow strategies like scheduling weekly time to address specific tasks only, and lays out a roadmap of local resources an…

1
How to disrupt traditional industries with innovative technology 17:34

5y ago17:34

17:34

Bellhops has disrupted the moving industry to become the nation’s fastest-growing moving company. Founder and CEO Cam Doody shares why Tennessee was the right place to seek venture capital for Bellhops, and explains why the Southeast is emerging as one of the most innovative ecosystems in the country.…

1
Doug Speight on the Southeast’s diverse startup culture 13:31

5y ago13:31

13:31

Doug Speight, founder and chief innovation officer at AnnexTech Partners, believes the Southeast’s underrepresented talent is one of its greatest resources. Doug dives into what makes the region’s startup culture unique, and why it’s one of the most exciting places in the country to start a business.…

1
How to build a chart-topping business 18:08

5y ago18:08

18:08

Marcus Cobb, cofounder and CEO of Jammber, has built a team that’s rocketed Jammber to the cutting edge of the music industry. In this episode, Marcus shares the philosophy behind Jammber’s award-winning workplace, and explains how some of the most important lessons he’s learned as an entrepreneur have come from surviving mistakes made along the wa…

1
Erica Grant and Lia Winter on student innovation in Tennessee 19:29

5y ago19:29

19:29

Erica Grant and Lia Winter, rival pitch competition finalists at 36|86 Student Edition, discuss how they got their startups off the ground as students at UT Knoxville. In this episode, the innovators explain how they’re developing their products and building their businesses, and how organizations like LaunchTN can unlock doors and kickstart growth…

1
Kirsty Goodlett on telling your company’s story 17:56

5y ago17:56

17:56

Kirsty Goodlett, Director of Ketner Group Communications’ Nashville office, sat down with us to unpack how to get your story out in a way that sticks. In this episode, Kirsty discusses the importance of staying relevant, highlights key resources businesses can use to boost visibility, and explains how to use customer data as a storytelling tool.…

1
Sarah Bellos on bringing sustainable agriculture to commercial fashion 28:30

5y ago28:30

28:30

Founder Sarah Bellos sits with guest host Kevin Roddey of Pinnacle Financial Partners to discuss how her company Stony Creek Colors is bringing local and sustainable agriculture to revolutionize commercial fashion. In this episode, Bellos shares her experiences with the process of scaling her startup and how LaunchTN connected her with a vital netw…

1
Coming Soon: Season 2 of Disrupt the Continuum 1:14

5y ago1:14

1:14

In Season 2 of Disrupt the Continuum, you'll hear from innovators and thought leaders that make the entrepreneurial ecosystem here in Tennessee flourish. This season we'll explore Tennessee's unique, thriving communities and hear about the programs and people that make LaunchTN a vital resource. Subscribe now from wherever you get your podcasts for…

1
Anne Driscoll on moving from competition to collaboration at 36|86 24:57

5y ago24:57

24:57

Anne Driscoll, President and COO of Launch Pad, a network of coworking spaces, sat down with us at last year's 36|86 Entrepreneurship Festival to discuss the importance of investing in entrepreneurial ecosystems on the rise. After years working for a tech giant in Silicon Valley, Driscoll now lends her energy and expertise to inspire entrepreneurs …

1
Arlan Hamilton discuses underestimated entrepreneurs at 36|86 20:06

5+ y ago20:06

20:06

Founder and managing partner of Backstage Capital, Arlan Hamilton, sat with us at last year’s 36|86 Entrepreneurship Festival to discuss the work she’s doing to shine a light on the underestimated entrepreneurs of the world - founders who identify as women, people of color, and/or part of the LGBTQ community. Hamilton also shared why she believes v…

1
Lindsey Cox on the Past, Present, Future of 36|86 27:25

5+ y ago27:25

27:25

36|86 Director Lindsey Cox takes us behind the scenes of LaunchTN’s upcoming festival to highlight what makes 36|86 vital for entrepreneurs of all stages and backgrounds.

1
Matt Rogers on scaling smart at 36|86 25:30

5+ y ago25:30

25:30

We caught up with Matt Rogers, co-founder and product developer of Pure Sodaworks, at last year’s 36|86 Entrepreneurship Festival to learn how Pure Sodaworks landed its first high-volume distribution deal with Cracker Barrel. Rogers shared the ups and downs of growing his business from a mobile soda fountain in Chattanooga to the award-winning craf…

1
Rei Wang backstage at 36|86 16:13

5+ y ago16:13

16:13

Rei Wang, former CEO of First Round Capital’s Dorm Room Fund, sat down with us backstage at last year’s 36|86 Entrepreneurship Festival. We chatted about the VC landscape and spent some time unpacking opportunities Dorm Room Fund is creating for student entrepreneurs. Also on the agenda: the potential for creative collaboration in a university sett…

1
Mollie Lacher on finding community support at 36|86 20:29

5+ y ago20:29

20:29

Mollie Lacher, CEO and founder of Sunny Care Services, shared her entrepreneurial journey with us – from personal loss to professional gain. Backstage at last year’s 36|86 Entrepreneurship Festival, Lacher opened up about the growing need for advocacy and authenticity throughout the entrepreneurial communities, and the support she received from net…

1
Van Tucker backstage at 36|86 11:51

5+ y ago11:51

11:51

Former CEO of the Nashville Fashion Alliance Van Tucker joined us backstage at the 36|86 Entrepreneurship Festival last year to discuss how the emerging independent fashion industry has become a significant economic driver throughout the state of Tennessee. Tucker also shared her experiences using collaborative networks to maneuver the ecosystem an…

1
Stephanie Cummings backstage at 36|86 21:48

5+ y ago21:48

21:48

Stephanie Cummings, CEO and co-founder of Please Assist Me, shares her experiences as an underestimated entrepreneur and how participating in various accelerator programs in LaunchTN’s network has provided one solution to the inequitable access to capital for minority founders. Cummings also takes us back to where her business first began and where…

1
Tom Ballard backstage at 36|86 13:48

5+ y ago13:48

13:48

LaunchTN board member Tom Ballard joined us backstage at last year’s 36|86 Entrepreneurship Festival to weigh in on how to support Tennessee entrepreneurs, beyond just investing in their business idea. Ballard also discusses how technological innovations can bridge the gap, leveraging the collaboration of communities statewide to connect those in n…

1
Capital, 36|86, and the benefits of doing business in Tennessee 33:01

5+ y ago33:01

33:01

Margaret Dolan, President and CEO of LaunchTN, talks capital, 36|86 Entrepreneurship Festival, and the benefits of doing business in Tennessee. She recently traveled across the state to hear from entrepreneurs about what they need to start or grow their businesses. Find out what she learned – and what LaunchTN is doing to make Tennessee the most st…

1
Coming Soon: Disrupt the Continuum 4:33

5+ y ago4:33

4:33

Launch Tennessee’s new podcast, Disrupt the Continuum, tells the stories of entrepreneurs, investors and ecosystem builders who challenge the status quo and carve their own paths. Listen in to find out how industry leaders got where they are today. These captivating stories of innovation will motivate you to make your next big move and show you wha…

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