Knoxville News Sentinel: Tech 20/20 studies ingredients for tech success in East Tenn.

Tech 20/20 spends most of its resources on up-and-coming technology-based entrepreneurial endeavors. But a recent study done by the not-for-profit consulting group looked at how East Tennessee's business past can help shape the region's future...The study, called the TrepTree, traced successful local businesses back to their roots. "It (the TrepTree) can provide encouragement, business models, and connections," said local entrepreneur Terry Douglass.

Teknovation.Biz: SMTEC plans “Automotive Accelerator” next summer

The Southern Middle Tennessee Entrepreneur Centers (SMTEC) is planning a first-of-its-kind, at least in the South, “TennesSeed Camp Automotive Accelerator” next summer in Spring Hill...Dan Marcum, SMTEC Executive Director, said “This is an intense entrepreneurial boot camp focused on identifying, commercializing, and funding high-potential innovative technologies applicable to the automotive industry."

Event: Technology Awards Gala 2012

The Nashville Technology Council’s annual Technology Awards Gala honors Middle Tennessee’s tech community – its companies, leaders and innovators. Each year the Gala attracts more than 500 attendees for a night of celebration, networking, food, and entertainment. The Technology Awards Gala features a “red carpet” entrance, reception, dinner and the presentation of 12 prestigious awards. We even have an After Party and, this year, we will be introducing a Technology Hall of Fame. To register, visit here.

Event: Chattanooga area business calendar

Experience Talks: Banking Benefits Beyond Loans from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at The Camp House, 1427 Williams St. The seminar is the sixth in an eight-month series that taps several of the area’s successful entrepreneurs to share stories about overcoming obstacles common to small businesses. Lunch will be provided at this free event, hosted by the Tennessee Small Business Development Center, The CO.LAB and the Chattanooga Chamber. Guests can register at www.colab.is/experience-talks or by calling 423-756-8668.

Commercial Appeal: Startup Memphis: Third time's a charm for Memphis startup

The event marks the third time this year for Memphis to host an event designed to develop startups from concept stage to launch readiness during an intense weekend of collaborative partnerships — there was a 48 Hour event in June and a Startup Weekend program in July. The suggestion that Memphis could pull off a successful event such as this was novel back in 2008 when the first one took place. Now it's a given.

Teknovation.Biz: AccelNow plans “Start-up Weekend” in mid-November in Johnson City

AccelNow, the Northeast Tennessee regional accelerator, will hold a “Start-up Weekend Tri-Cities” on November 16, 17 and 18. The weekend event is one of the entrepreneurial approaches that is becoming widely used in Tennessee and other cities. Dave Lawrence, AccelNow Director, described the three-days as “a hands-on experience where entrepreneurs and those exploring entrepreneurship can find out if their start-up ideas are viable.” Based on national averages, attendees at start-up weekends are evenly divided between those with technical or design backgrounds and those who have business backgrounds.

Knoxville News Sentinel: Awareness called key to coalition's success

More than 40 early-stage companies have applied for assistance from the East Tennessee Regional Accelerator Coalition since it launched nearly a year ago, says Lynn Youngs, executive director of the University of Tennessee's Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, which is administering the program.

"Platinum"-designated companies — Vendor Registry and Stall Talk, a portable toilet advertising company — have been identified as having high growth, high-value potential, and are ready for funding...Other companies that apply to ETRAC, at the least, walk away with a match of resources based on their need, Youngs says. With additional effort, some have the potential to move up to become a platinum prospect.

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