Apemag

  • #MyStartupStory
  • tech
  • maker
  • Startup Lessons
  • In the South
    • Tennessee
    • Alabama
    • Arkansas
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Kentucky
    • Louisiana
    • Mississippi
    • North Carolina
    • South Carolina
  • Startup Support
    • Accelerators
    • Coding Bootcamps
    • Colleges and Universities
    • Incubators
Startup Support, Tennessee

Energy Entrepreneurs in Tennessee Get A New Advantage: A Mentor Network

- Ayumi Fukuda Bennett -

taebc advanced energy startupWhat exactly is advanced energy? According to the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council, it’s “any technology that makes energy cleaner, safer, more secure and more efficient is considered advanced energy.” This could be anything from electric and plug-in hybrid cars, lightweight composites for the automotive industry, natural gas fueled trucks, pollution control equipment, bio energy, high-performance buildings, more efficient industrial processes, power reliability, smart grids, combined heat and power and the latest wind, solar, and nuclear technologies.

This seemingly new sector is already a $1.3 trillion global one, with Tennessee well in the mix in accessing part of the economy. In the 2015 Tennessee Advanced Energy Impact Report, $33.4 billion was contributed to the state gross domestic product by Tennessee businesses in advanced energy sector. The new three-part video series created this year vividly capture the people behind these businesses. 17,000 business entities in the state already operate in this industry, but the TAEBC now sees an opportunity to not simply increase in numbers, but also increase the Tennessee share of that ever-expanding pie.

One initiative TAEBC is launching at annual “Opportunities in Energy” event serves to utilize current resources to develop future ones. The Energy Mentor Network, a mentorship program specifically for energy entrepreneurs and startups in Tennessee, is officially open for applications from mentors and startups to participate. It’s already a proven model, patterned after CONNECT San Diego’s 30+ year old Springboard program. At CONNECT, each company or entrepreneur is matched with a team of C-level executives who have deep experience in growing and scaling companies. Likewise, the mentoring team is led by the Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) that coaches and guides their company through The Energy Mentor Network’s program for a period of 3-9 months.

“Mentorship is critical to developing Tennessee’s advanced energy ecosystem because it gives entrepreneurs a leg-up in a marketplace where Tennessee has a distinct advantage,” said Jill Van Beke, Director of Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Launch Tennessee, a partner with TAEBC for the network.  

TAEBC mentor processThe goal of the Energy Mentor Network is to foster the growth of Tennessee advanced energy technologies and startups by connecting entrepreneurs with mentors and industry specific expertise. The Network pairs mentors with promising new companies through a structured program involving panel presentations and mentoring sessions, using a video-conference service to engage and connect mentors and entrepreneurs across the state. After completing the program, startups will have an investable pitch deck, a rock solid business model and a plan to establish more traction. TABEC says these tools will position Tennessee’s entrepreneurs to raise capital, request other funds like SBIR grants, and scale their company.

“Events like ‘Opportunities in Energy’ serve as a convening point for industry leaders to celebrate our successes, network and explore the latest trends and opportunities to grow our own businesses,” said Matt Kisber, President of TAEBC and President & CEO of Silicon Ranch Corporation. “Tennessee is uniquely positioned to be a mecca of energy entrepreneurs and businesses.”

 

Photo Credit: Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Dec 6, 2016Ayumi Fukuda Bennett

Want to Know How to Retain Talent? Ask the Talent#MyStartupStory: Thrust Hostels Fills Need for Budget LGBTQ Travelers
4 years ago Startup Support, TennesseeEnergy, TN Advanced Energy Business Council107
retro
Ayumi Fukuda Bennett

Ayumi is the founder of Startup Southerner.

Website Twitter

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Share It!
0
GooglePlus
0
Facebook
0
Twitter
0
Linkedin
Posts
Recent Comments
  • East Tennessee Startups Have Chance to Win $15,000 on 2017 Startup Day « Startup Southerner on #MyStartupStory: Start a Beer Fund With BrewFund
  • East Tennessee Startups Have Chance to Win $15,000 on 2017 Startup Day « Startup Southerner on Ed Pershing, CEO of PYA, Reflects on Entrepreneurial Journey
  • Salemtown Board Co.: Scaling a Social Enterprise « Startup Southerner on Entrepreneurial Thinking for Nonprofits
  • Salemtown Board Co.: Scaling a Social Enterprise « Startup Southerner on The EntrepreLingo Series: S Is for Scalability
  • Domonique Townsend on The Unbalanced Reality of Work-Life Balance for Working Mothers
Be up-to-date!
  You Might Also Like  
#MyStartupStory, In the South, Maker Movement, Tennessee

From Craft to Career: A Q&A With Emily Howard

What started as a hobby blossomed into a full-blown jewelry and floral design business.

In the South, Tennessee

Girls to the Moon: What’s in Store for 2016

Smaller events covering more topics on tap for Girls to the Moon this year.

#MyStartupStory, In the South, Maker Movement, Tennessee

AbrasiveMedia: Helping Connect Artists to Their Community

Nashville-based abrasiveMedia brings artists together, within and across genres and media.

Startup Support

Let’s Grow Together

Welcome to Startup Southerner. Let's get to work.

Accelerators, Startup Lessons, Startup Support, Tennessee

Accelerator Spotlight: Start Co., in Memphis, TN

Memphis, Tennessee-based Start Co. offers three accelerator programs for startups.

Tennessee

The State of Tennessee Entrepreneurship at #TheTENN Roadshow

Diversity not on display at LaunchTN's accelerator roadshow.

Colleges and Universities, Florida, In the South, Startup Support

Master’s Program at UF Accepting New Entrepreneurs

Offerings for entrepreneurs at the University of Florida.

#MyStartupStory, In the South, Technology, Tennessee

From Dancer to Coder: Meet Nicole Ahima

Hear about Ahima's experience at Nashville Software School's evening coding class.

  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
Most Viewed
2016 FOUNDING SPONSOR
your-image-description
2016 FOUNDING SPONSOR
2017 © Startup Southerner, LLC