Keeping it REAL @ the NOVA EC (July ’26) – #4

NOVA EC July FY27 – Keeping it REAL for Southern Middle TN

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The NOVA Entrepreneur Center Newsletter for Southern Middle TN
Keeping it REAL for July ’26 & Beyond – Issue #4

The Hype:
NOVA’s Grant Renewed!
We are excited to announce that the Launch Tennessee grants have been approved! Check out what we accomplished last year, and it is going to be an even greater year #2!

1-Year Look-Back!

See the Slides!

The Focus:
RFE (Rural Frontier Entrepreneurship) in Phoenix, Arizona!

The NOVA EC was invited to present at the ACBSP International conference on the topic of RFE. The presentation was well received and we were asked if we have ever considered creating a national network for Rural Frontier Entrepreneurship.

The Startups:
CE Tools Investment Commitment from Launch Tennessee

CE Tools has received a $250K commitment from Launch TN. Read about their story in the latest Teknovation.Biz article.

CE Tools in the News!

Read More

The Radar:
Moving the Needle: Why Rural Entrepreneurs Are America’s Next Great Innovators

Rural entrepreneurs possess a unique advantage: they innovate from necessity.

The Numbers:
Achieving our goals for FY 26 (Cumulative Results)

UT_Space_Institute_Entrepreneur...VA_EC_-_7_13_26_-_Presentation

The Alliance:

Who we talked to since the last newsletter

July 13 – University of Tennessee Space Institute / NOVA EC Boot Camp for Aerospace & Engineering Students
June 29 – NOVA EC Meeting and Presentation to Tullahoma Department of Economic Development
June 26 – University of Tennessee Space Institute Open House
June 18 – Meeting of the NOVAEC / Pulaski Food & Bev Collective
June 17 – NOVA EC Meeting w Frank Osteen; Lipscomb University
June 12 – Presentation at the ACBSP International Conference in Phoenix, AZ
June 9 – Presentation to Marshall County Joint Economic & Community Development Board
June 3 – Lunch & Learn at MakeShift; Dr. Tesa Jolley; AI for Practical Application
June 2 – University of Tennessee Space Institute & Tullahoma Presentation
May 28 – Rural Frontier Entrepreneurship Presentation (RFE) to
TCAT Shelbyville
May 20 – NOVA EC Advisory Council Meeting
May 18 – NOVA EC presents to ALL students at TCAT Pulaski
May 14 – Meeting of the NOVA EC / Pulaski Food & Bev Collective
May 13 – NOVA EC attended the Innovation at The Park Pitch Competition in Knoxville with CE Tools
April 30 – NOVA EC / Launch TN Capital Conversation Event at Kitchen 218 in Pulaski, TN
April 22 – NOVA EC Attended the PYA Ballard Pitch Competition in Knoxville with CE Tools
April 14 – NOVA EC Meeting with the Rural Health Center of Excellence Team
April 1 – NOVA EC Hosted Randy Boyd, President of the University of Tennessee
March 25-26 – NOVA EC attended the Tennessee AI Summit
March 24 – NOVA EC / UT Southern Internship Networking Event
March 24 – NOVA EC / The Exchange Club of Pulaski Event
March 4 – NOVA EC Presentation to the UT Leadership Council
February 24 – NOVA EC Attended the LaunchTN Legislative Reception in Nashville
February 19 – NOVA EC Presentation to Fayetteville Main Street
February 18 – NOVA EC Attended the Proof LLC Main Street workshop in Jackson, TN
February 13 – NOVA EC Hosted the Pulaski Commissary Kitchen Event with Guest Speaker Mike Robinson: Proof LLC
February 12 – NOVA EC Attended the Huntsville Women’s Economic Development Council Luncheon

The Ask:
Where We Need Your Support

Let us know your thoughts on Startups via the Survey below!

With funding from the National Science Foundation, this study aims to better understand the development of innovative products and processes in Tennessee, focusing on the timeline from conception to market. Your insights will help shape future research, programs, and policies that support entrepreneurship and innovation.

Please take the survey today!

Fill-out the Survey

The Next:
Upcoming Events Sponsored by NOVA

From Passion to Profitable Business

July 23 @ 12:00pm

NOVA talks to the UT Young Alumni. Have a business idea but not sure where to start? Aspiring entrepreneurs will learn how to identify a viable side hustle idea.

More Info

NOVA Speaking @ Ag Impact Breakfast

July 30 @ 7:30 am

As a key leader in our community, you are invited to join us for breakfast and an important conversation about agriculture and its impact on Giles County.

More Info