Innova Memphis is a Tennessee-based venture capital firm established in 2007 by the Memphis Bioworks Foundation. It focuses on biosciences, technology, and agri-tech companies at pre-seed, seed, early-stage, and high-growth stages across the United States. The firm provides funding and hands-on support to help early ideas evolve into viable business units and aims to connect portfolio companies with established corporations for licensing, acquisitions, or follow-on investments. By combining technical know-how, market expertise, and venture capital, Innova Memphis seeks to accelerate product development and help startups reach milestones and scale toward market leadership.

Founded in 1999, Enhanced Capital Partners is a New York-based investment firm managing over $400 million. It specializes in equity and debt investments for small to mid-sized companies across various sectors, with a focus on healthcare technology systems and TMT industries.

Launch Tennessee is a public-private partnership established in 2012 and based in Nashville, Tennessee. It aims to foster a supportive environment for entrepreneurs throughout all stages of their business journey, from initial concept to successful exit. The organization is dedicated to making Tennessee the most startup-friendly state in the United States, encouraging entrepreneurs to establish and grow their companies locally, thereby creating jobs. Launch Tennessee focuses on various sectors, including business services, consumer products, energy, healthcare, and information technology, and it actively supports seed-stage to later-stage companies within these industries.

Founded in 2006, Iroquois Capital Group is a merchant banking and investment banking firm headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. It provides acquisition financing, initial public offering support, debt financing, and mergers & acquisitions advisory services to lower and middle-market clients across various industries, with a focus on healthcare, manufacturing, and financial services.

The U.S. Department of Energy is a government agency established in 1977, located in Washington, D.C. Its primary mission is to ensure the security and prosperity of the nation by tackling energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges. The Department focuses on promoting transformative scientific and technological solutions to address these issues, thereby supporting the country's energy needs and environmental sustainability.

Founded in 2010, Nashville Entrepreneur Center supports entrepreneurs by providing programs tailored to different stages of business development. It offers memberships for access to physical space and community support.

Nashville Capital Network is a Nashville, Tennessee-based organization that accelerates early-stage healthcare and technology companies in the United States. Founded in 2003, it supports entrepreneurs by nurturing their ventures and connecting them with experienced investors and advisors to assist fundraising. The organization maintains a network of qualified individual investors who invest in Tennessee-based companies and collaborates with mentors and capital providers to advance promising ventures.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency established in 1950 and based in Alexandria, Virginia. It is dedicated to supporting research and education in science and engineering across a wide range of disciplines. The NSF provides significant non-dilutive funding, up to $1.5 million, to startups and small businesses through its America's Seed Fund initiative, which is part of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program mandated by Congress. With an operating budget of approximately $7.8 billion, the NSF is committed to advancing fundamental research and education, thus fostering innovation and technological development in the United States.

Denso is a global automotive technology company and supplier of advanced systems and components. It develops and manufactures thermal and powertrain control systems, electronics, and electrification solutions for major automakers, helping vehicles run more efficiently and safely. Headquartered in Kariya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, Denso was founded in 1949 as Nippondenso and is a core member of the Toyota Group. The company provides a broad range of automotive electronics and collaborates with automakers to advance mobility through world-leading products and technologies, with a focus on reducing environmental impact and improving road safety worldwide.

Founded in 2009 and based in Nashville, Tennessee, Martin Ventures is a venture capital firm primarily focused on healthcare and technology initiatives. The company provides capital, operational support, and mentoring to assist entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses into successful, profitable organizations.

MB Venture Partners is a Memphis, Tennessee-based venture capital firm that provides equity capital and strategic direction to life sciences companies. The firm invests in medical devices and biotechnology at all stages of development and has a particular focus on product solutions for musculoskeletal diseases, leveraging deep experience and relationships in that area. Founded in 2001, MB Venture Partners pursues early-stage investments in medical devices and biotechnology across the United States, with activity in healthcare, life sciences, oncology, digital health, health technology, nanotechnology, and related fields in the Southeast and Midwest.

Frist Cressey Ventures is a venture capital firm headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, focused on early- and growth-stage investments in healthcare and digital health technologies and services. It seeks opportunities that improve quality of care, system integration, patient outcomes, and population health, partnering with entrepreneurs to accelerate growth and translate viable solutions into practical healthcare improvements. The firm targets technology-enabled healthcare enterprises and service businesses with strong potential to advance care delivery and health outcomes, and it emphasizes value-added collaboration with portfolio companies.

Chattanooga Renaissance Fund is a venture capital firm and angel investment network based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It focuses on seed and early-stage opportunities in Chattanooga and surrounding markets, including Knoxville, Nashville, and the north corner of Atlanta, providing capital and mentorship to entrepreneurs to fuel growth and innovation in the region. By assembling investors and mentors into a formal network, it seeks to support the next generation of regional startups and strengthen the area's entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Founded in 2009, TriStar Health Partners is a venture capital firm specializing in early-stage investments, primarily focusing on healthcare innovation. It invests in life sciences, diagnostics, medical devices and technologies, IT, and healthcare services companies, with a preference for those based in the Southeast United States, particularly Tennessee.

ZeroTo510 is a Memphis-based accelerator program established in 2012, focusing on supporting medical device and healthcare technology startups. The program offers mentorship-driven guidance, resources, and seed funding up to $150,000 to help participants refine their business models and navigate the regulatory process towards FDA's 510(k) premarket notification.

Founded in 2010, Jumpstart Foundry is a venture capital firm specializing in seed-stage investments in healthcare IT, consumer health products/services, tech-enabled services, and diagnostic devices. Based in Nashville, Tennessee with an additional office in Atlanta, Georgia, the firm invests up to $0.15 million per company for 7.5 percent equity. It operates a 14-week program and a six-week Micro-Accelerator program for small to medium-sized companies.

leading global alternative asset manager

Founded in 2000, Norwest Mezzanine Partners is a Minnesota-based investment firm that provides junior capital solutions to middle market companies across various industries. It partners with private equity firms to drive value for portfolio companies and create successful outcomes for stakeholders.

HCA Healthcare operates as a leading health care services company in the United States. It provides a wide range of medical services through its network of hospitals, surgery centers, freestanding emergency rooms, urgent care facilities, and clinics. As of December 2024, HCA Healthcare owns and operates 190 hospitals and numerous outpatient facilities across 20 states.

Dynamo Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, founded in 2016. It focuses on seed-stage investing in the supply chain and mobility sectors, supporting founding teams building market-defining, enterprise-focused companies and prioritizing pre-seed and seed opportunities.

FCA Venture Partners is a venture capital investment firm based in Nashville, Tennessee, established in 1996. It focuses on investing in healthcare and related technology companies at seed to later stages, frequently committing 3 to 6 million dollars per investment. The firm seeks to accelerate growth by funding healthcare products, services, and software that streamline processes, enhance quality of care, and improve the patient experience. It maintains deep ties to the Nashville healthcare community and has historical links with Clayton Associates and the McWhorter family, reflecting its local roots and collaborative approach to building sustainable healthcare businesses.

Heritage Group, LLC, established in 1986, is a Nashville, Tennessee-based venture capital firm specializing in healthcare investments. It provides early-stage and growth capital, typically investing up to $15 million per company, with a preference for healthcare services, healthcare IT, and technology-enabled services sectors. The firm seeks board participation in its portfolio companies and has a track record of investing in, operating, and advising innovative healthcare businesses.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) leads initiatives in food, agriculture, natural resources, and rural development. It aims to expand markets for agricultural products globally, foster alternative markets domestically, improve rural infrastructure, enhance food safety, promote nutrition education, and manage public lands collaboratively.

Founded in 2012, Altitude Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Nashville, Tennessee. It specializes in early-stage investments, focusing on healthcare services and technology startups that improve healthcare outcomes.

Founded in 2011, Blank Slate Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It focuses on investing in pre-revenue startups within the region, aiming to support teams building companies with high growth potential.

Tennessee Community Ventures is a venture capital firm located in Nashville, Tennessee. Established in 2009, the firm focuses on making seed and early-stage investments throughout the state of Tennessee. By concentrating on emerging companies, Tennessee Community Ventures aims to foster innovation and support the growth of local businesses in various sectors.

Claritas Capital is a Nashville-based private investment firm that provides capital to health care, technology, business services, and real estate companies. It engages in venture capital and private equity, including acquisitions and mezzanine financing, with a focus on seed through growth stages and late-stage opportunities. The firm targets healthcare delivery, payment systems, medical devices, health care technology, information services, software-enabled services, digital media, and other disruptive technologies, emphasizing cost containment and efficiency improvements. It typically invests in the Southeast United States and Texas, with consideration for other regions. Equity investments generally range from 0.25 million to 5 million and mezzanine investments from 1 million to 10 million, often in the form of subordinated debt with warrants. The firm prefers to be the leading institutional investor and seeks a board of directors seat or observation rights for mezzanine financing. Claritas Capital maintains offices in Nashville, Irvine, and Newport Beach, California.

Sedgwick Claims Management Services is a prominent North American provider of technology-enabled claims and risk management solutions, headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. The company employs nearly 11,000 professionals across approximately 200 offices in the United States and Canada. Sedgwick offers a comprehensive range of services, including claims administration for workers' compensation, disability, and employee absence programs, as well as liability claims in general, automobile, and professional sectors. Additionally, the company specializes in managed care, fraud investigation, structured settlements, and Medicare compliance solutions. By leveraging advanced technology and industry expertise, Sedgwick designs customized programs that address the evolving needs of its clients while maintaining cost-effective operations.

SSM Partners is a Tennessee-based private equity firm that focuses on growth-equity investments in technology-facing companies across the United States. The firm targets B2B companies in healthcare software and services, information technology, financial services, software and technology, and related internet and consumer sectors, with activity centered in the US and Canada. It partners with entrepreneurs to guide growth through the company lifecycle, emphasizing collaboration and a practical understanding of scalable business models. Typical investments involve equity capital to fuel expansion in rapidly growing firms that have proven and differentiated business models and strong growth trajectories. The firm is anchored in Memphis, Tennessee, pursuing opportunities where technology and software enable scalable value creation.

Third Prime is a venture capital firm founded in 2016 and headquartered in New York. It focuses on early-stage investments in seed and startup companies, primarily in business-to-business and financial services, while also engaging with consumers, real estate services, and media sectors. The firm typically writes early capital rounds ranging from roughly 250000 to 3000000 and has assets under management exceeding 500000000. It maintains an additional office in the Southeast, reflecting a broader market footprint beyond its New York base.

Reliant Bancorp provides traditional banking services across the Middle Tennessee region and the Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin Metropolitan Statistical Area. It offers a broad range of commercial banking services for businesses and individuals. The company operates two reportable segments: Commercial Banking and Residential Mortgage Banking. Commercial Banking delivers deposit and lending services to consumer and business customers. Residential Mortgage Banking originates first-lien residential mortgage loans nationwide. Revenue is largely derived from the Commercial Banking segment.

Council Capital, established in 2000, is a Nashville-based private equity firm managing approximately $150 million. It specializes in early-growth and growth-stage investments, focusing on healthcare services and healthcare IT companies that prioritize innovative solutions to enhance quality and reduce costs.

Gen Cap America, established in 1988, is a Tennessee-based private investment firm headquartered in Nashville. It specializes in acquiring and recapitalizing middle market businesses, typically with revenues between $5 million and $100 million. The firm partners with management teams to invest in established companies with strong operating histories and experienced management, often facilitating management buyouts. It also structures recapitalizations for business owners seeking immediate liquidity while maintaining operational control. Gen Cap America's investment focus includes manufacturing, distribution, and basic service companies with strong market positions in niche sectors.

Overstock.com is an online retailer offering furniture, home decor, and other products at discounted prices. It operates through its website overstock.com and focuses on providing quality products to customers worldwide.

Founded in 2017, IAG Capital Partners is a venture capital firm based in Charleston, South Carolina. It invests in seed to series C rounds across various stages and structures.

Hudson Automotive Group is a family-owned and operated motor vehicle dealership company based in Madisonville, Kentucky. Established in 1955, it operates multiple locations across Kentucky, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee, including cities such as Cleveland, Kingsport, Morristown, Johnson City, Charleston, North Charleston, and Gastonia. The company specializes in the sale of new and used vehicles, including cars, SUVs, and trucks, and provides reliable auto services from various manufacturers. In addition to vehicle sales, Hudson Automotive offers auto loans and OEM parts, addressing a wide range of automotive needs for its customers. As a subsidiary of Watermark Auto Group, Hudson Automotive continues to uphold its commitment to customer service and quality.

Pinnacle Financial Partners is a commercial banking firm founded in 2000 and headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. The company offers a comprehensive array of financial services, including banking, investment, trust, mortgage, and insurance products. It caters to both businesses and individuals, focusing on building complete financial relationships with its clients. Pinnacle operates in four key markets within Tennessee—Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga—while also serving several surrounding counties.

KKR is a global investment firm managing multiple alternative asset classes, including private equity, energy, infrastructure, real estate, and credit. Founded in 1976, the company generates attractive returns through a patient, disciplined approach, focusing on high-quality investments across various sectors.

First Horizon Bank, established in 1864, is a regional banking institution headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. It offers a comprehensive range of financial services, including personal banking (checking and savings accounts, loans, mortgages), commercial banking (commercial checking, lending, treasury management), and wealth management services. The bank operates through approximately 250 branches in the Southeast United States, serving both individual consumers and businesses.

Founded in 2013, The JumpFund is a venture capital firm headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It primarily invests in seed and early-stage female-led ventures across the Southeast U.S., focusing on sectors such as business products/services, consumer products/services, healthcare, edtech, fintech, and mobile.

Solas BioVentures is a Chattanooga, Tennessee-based venture capital firm that finances early-stage investments in healthcare. It focuses on biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics, digital health, and related medical technologies, seeking opportunities across medicine and patient care. The firm aims to back startups in areas such as healthcare devices and supplies and related technology, supporting early-stage companies through strategic funding and guidance.

Established in 2018 and headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, Russell Street Ventures is a specialized healthcare company dedicated to launching and growing businesses that cater to some of the nation's most vulnerable and underserved patient populations.

Founded in 2012, Peak Rock Capital is a private investment firm headquartered in Austin, Texas. The company focuses on driving growth and performance improvement in the middle market through equity and debt investments across diverse sectors in North America and Europe.

Founded in 2021, Whistler Capital Partners is a Nashville-based private equity firm focused on growth equity and buyouts within the healthcare industry and related tech-enabled services verticals. The firm partners with leading management teams, providing strategic resources and capital to support their growth, particularly in technology-enablement and data-driven opportunities.

The Southern Appalachian Fund is a $12.5 million venture capital firm based in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, with an additional office in London, Kentucky. It invests in early and expansion-stage companies operating in the interactive home entertainment, manufacturing, technology, and software sectors, with a focus on small businesses in southern Appalachia, particularly in Kentucky, Tennessee, and the Appalachian counties of Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. The fund typically invests between $200,000 and $600,000 in its portfolio companies, often leading investment syndicates or co-investing with other institutional investors and seasoned angel investors. It seeks to generate market-rate returns for its investors while promoting shared and sustainable business growth and wealth creation in its target region. The fund's mission is to provide not only equity capital but also operational assistance, active board participation, and mentoring to its portfolio companies.

Meritus Ventures is a venture capital firm based in London, Kentucky. It makes equity investments in expansion-stage private companies, with a focus on rural areas of central and southern Appalachia. The firm targets opportunities in information technology, industrials, and technology, media, and telecommunications sectors, and its activity spans across Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Appalachian counties in Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. It may provide operational support to portfolio companies.

Founded in 2014 by Dr. Brian Fengler, EvidenceCare develops clinical decision support systems that integrate into clinicians' electronic health record workflows. Its platform delivers customized, evidence-based guidance to improve care quality and safety, reduce liability, increase operational efficiency, and optimize compliance with government-mandated quality programs.

FINTOP Capital, established in 2016, is a venture capital firm based in Nashville, Tennessee, with additional offices in Hoboken, New Jersey, and St. Louis, Missouri. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage, B2B service-enabled SaaS and software companies operating in the FinTech sector. FINTOP Capital targets companies with a proven product, real revenues, and leadership teams composed of industry veterans.

Founded in 1876, Cadence Bank operates as a regional banking company with over $6.7 billion in assets. It provides commercial banking and financial services to individuals and small-to-medium businesses through its network of over 95 branches across Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas. The bank is committed to understanding its customers' needs and offering innovative products and top-tier professional services, while also contributing positively to the communities it serves.

Riley Permian specializes in high-growth energy exploration in the Permian Basin, focusing on horizontal development of the San Andres Formation.