Stories of Technology, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship in the Southeast

From Knoxville:

The Real Good Kitchen (RGK) Foundation is hosting its last “Food Business 101” workshop of the year this Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT at the United Way of Greater Knoxville, 1301 Hannah Avenue.

In the promotional announcement, the RGK Foundation notes that “whether you’re just starting out or want to take your business to the next level, ‘Food Business 101’ is the perfect opportunity to learn valuable concepts and practical skills. Don’t miss out on this chance to invest in yourself and your business!” It will be taught by RGK and Pathway Lending business advisors.

The cost is $35. To register, click here.

From Oak Ridge:

• The National Nuclear Security Administration of the U.S. Department of Energy announced on Thursday that it will be exercising the remaining two, one-year option periods on Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC’s (CNS) contract for the operation of the Y-12 National Security Complex. The exercise of the remaining two option periods extends the CNS’ contract period of performance for the management and operation of Y-12 through September 30, 2027.
• LIS Technologies Inc., a proprietary developer of advanced laser technology and the only USA-origin and patented laser uranium enrichment company, has announced the appointment of General John M. Paxton Jr., U.S. Martine Corps (Retired), as its Executive Chair of Military and Defense. General Paxton’s distinguished 42-year career in the Marine Corps culminated in his role as the 33^rd Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, a position he held from 2012 until his retirement in 2016. Throughout his career, General Paxton earned numerous awards and decorations, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, and the Legion of Merit.

From Knoxville but with Statewide Implications:

The Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council (TAEBC) has announced applications open September 16 for the annual “Thomas B. Ballard Advanced Energy Leadership Award” that honors exemplary leadership and success in championing, connecting, and strengthening the state’s advanced energy economy. Previous awardees include the award’s namesake, Tom Ballard, TAEBC’s first President upon its launch in 2014 and who served on the Board of Directors until 2019; former Commissioner Bob Rolfe of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development; and Mina Sartipi, founding Director of the Center for Urban Informatics and Progress at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Applications will close at 11:59 p.m. EDT on October 31.

From Chattanooga:

The Chattanooga Regional Manufacturers Association (CRMA) and the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce have announced a new partnership that will strengthen the manufacturing industry in the Chattanooga region. The Chamber will provide staffing, events, and operational support to the manufacturers group, while the CRMA and its board of directors will continue to advocate for the interests and needs of its members.

“We are excited to collaborate with the Chamber, which has a long history of supporting the manufacturing community in Chattanooga,” said Bill Minehan, Chair of the CRMA. “This partnership will allow us to leverage the Chamber’s resources and expertise to better serve our members and continue promoting our region’s manufacturing sector.”

The partnership took effect on September 15. The Chamber will provide operational support to the CRMA, which will retain its autonomy and governance as a separate entity.

“The manufacturing industry is a vital part of our economy, providing jobs, innovation, and growth,” said Jay Dale, Chair of the Chamber. “We are honored to work with the CRMA, which represents some of the most successful and diverse manufacturers in the area. This partnership will enable the Chamber and CRMA to enhance our collective impact on the regional economy.”

Another from Chattanooga:

Prosal, a portfolio company in Chattanooga’s Brickyard that helps other businesses find Requests for Proposals and win new clients, is one of 200 finalists in this year’s Start-up Battlefield during TechCrunch Disrupt. It is the only company in the competition from Tennessee. Twenty will be selected to pitch on the Disrupt stage for a chance to win a $100,000 equity-free prize and the Disrupt Cup. The event is October 28-30 in San Francisco.

From Nashville:

Tennessee State University (TSU) is a collaborator on two of four projects announced last week by the National Science Foundation (NSF), and Meharry Medical College is a sub-awardee on a third project. The projects are funded under the federal agency’s Ideas Lab initiative which is designed to assess and address research capacity needs, increase access to research facilities, and build human capital at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

“The inaugural NSF ARC-HBCU Ideas Lab is a unique opportunity to connect talent and build research networks across our HBCUs to further advance an integrated and collaborative vision for the most critical research capacity needs of HBCUs,” says NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan.

A total of $10.5 million was awarded. The two projects that involve TSU are:

• “Panoramic Institutional Assessments: A Playbook for Advancing Research Capacity,” led Delaware State University in collaboration with Tuskegee University, Huston-Tillotson University, Hampton University, and TSU. The project will provide a framework to guide institutions through a self-directed process to examine their research ecosystem, help institutional leaders identify and address service gaps to strengthen key administrative functions that support research administration, and guide faculty in personalized assessments of their development as individual researchers using an existing framework.
• “The HBCU Ujima Collective: Building Research Capacity at HBCUs through a Grow Your Own Research Corps Model,” led by Miles College, will assess, align, and improve research infrastructure and processes at five HBCUs through the cultivation of highly trained human capital for work in the research enterprise. It involves Morgan State University, Howard University, Winston-Salem University, and TSU.

The project involving Meharry is titled “Partnership for Advancing Research Capacity in Semiconductors at Historically Black Colleges and Universities” and is led by Central State University.

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