With opening set for Pulaski, Launch Tennessee now has partners in all 9 regions of the state
Nashville, TN — A new Network Partner in the Southern Middle part of the state joined Launch Tennessee’s system of regional entrepreneur centers to support innovative companies, attract investment capital, connect founders to key resources and further research and development.
Named the New Opportunities, Venture, & Advancement (NOVA) Entrepreneur Center, it officially became the ninth support hub across Tennessee this month.
The new center will have a physical location in Pulaski’s MakeShift coworking and event space (110 N. 2nd Street, Pulaski) and will serve Bedford, Coffee, Franklin, Giles, Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Marshall, Maury, Moore, Perry and Wayne counties with local programming. NOVA EC will be open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and by appointment.
NOVA EC will support the innovation and startup ecosystem across Launch Tennessee’s 3 C’s: Capital, Commercialization, and Connections. Initial plans include workshops on getting connected to investors and understanding capital opportunities, as well as mentorship programs, certifications, bootcamps, speaker sessions, and more.
The new entrepreneur center will host an announcement celebration event at MakeShift on Thursday, Oct. 2 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Plans are already underway for a pitch competition set for Nov. 13, also at MakeShift. Additional details for these events, as well as future programs, will be posted on the NOVA website (novaec.org) and across the center’s social media accounts (LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook accounts to roll out in the near future).
NOVA EC operates under the umbrella of the University of Tennessee Research Foundation and is led by Director Shelley Sarmiento, a seasoned entrepreneur and business founder with extensive experience guiding and supporting the startup ecosystem. Payson Johnston, a two-time entrepreneur with a background in strategic tech initiatives, as well as mentoring startups at Techstars, serves as NOVA’s Entrepreneur in Residence. Johnston is also currently an Instructor of Business at University of Tennessee Southern. NOVA EC will work strategically with UT Southern and additional partners, such as chambers of commerce and TCAT (Tennessee College of Applied Technology) institutions, to drive impact and success throughout the region.
“The NOVA Entrepreneur Center represents a pivotal step in advancing opportunity and innovation for Southern Middle Tennessee,” said Melinda Arnold, PhD, Chancellor of UT Southern. “By connecting aspiring entrepreneurs with resources, mentorship, and a collaborative ecosystem, NOVA will strengthen the region’s capacity for growth and impact.”
In spring 2025, Launch Tennessee issued an RFP to extend the regional entrepreneurship network to include Southern Middle Tennessee. Requirements included activating a brick and mortar location and making all services available to entrepreneurs and startups in the area as well as having actionable outreach plans to engage with founders in the region. Applicants underwent a rigorous review process in the subsequent months, with UTRF’s NOVA proposal ultimately selected.
“UTRF is proud to partner with Launch Tennessee on the NOVA Entrepreneur Center,” said Maha Krishnamurthy, Ph.D, MBA, and President of the University of Tennessee Research Foundation. “This partnership allows the acceleration of innovation, equipping and support of founders and drives lasting economic growth throughout Southern Middle Tennessee.”
NOVA joins eight other regional entrepreneur centers that span the state from Memphis to the Tri-Cities.
- Epicenter, Greater Memphis Region
- Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, East Region
- Nashville Entrepreneur Center, Northern Middle Region
- Sync Space, Northeast Region
- The Biz Foundry, Upper Cumberland Region
- theCO, Southwest Region
- The Company Lab, Southeast Region
- The Mill, Northwest Region
“Adding a Southern Middle entrepreneur center will provide new innovation and growth opportunities for entrepreneurs in that area while also connecting them to the entire state through our system of partners,” Launch Tennessee CEO Lindsey Cox said.
About LaunchTN
As Tennessee’s hub for startups and innovation, Launch Tennessee’s mission is to empower innovators across Tennessee by providing capital, commercialization and connections. As a public-private partnership, we are uniquely positioned to provide direct investment, while also supporting collaboration among founders, investors, researchers, the private sector and government.
Contact: info@novaec.org
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