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The NOVA Entrepreneur Center Newsletter for October 2025 - #1

The Hype:
Launch Tennessee Adds Southern Middle Tennessee Entrepreneur Center (aka NOVA)

Check it Out!

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The Focus:
The Rural Frontier

Across Tennessee’s southern and middle regions a new wave of innovation is taking root; one that blends community, education, technology, and manufacturing into a powerful force for local growth. This emerging model, known as Rural Frontier Entrepreneurship (RFE), stands for much more than starting businesses; it’s about creating ecosystems that keep opportunity close to home.

The Radar:
Rural Frontier Pitch
Challenge!

Join us for the Rural Frontier Pitch Challenge on November 13 at 5pm in Pulaski! Show off your entrepreneurial spirit in the Rural Frontier Pitch Challenge – where you can pitch your ideas and win big!

RSVP Today!

The Alliance:

Who have we talked to over the last month?

10/1 – Met with Sam Davidson, Director; Nashville Entrepreneur Center to discuss Entrepreneur Center wins and losses. Thanks Sam for your support and stellar advice!
10/2 - Brooke Kemp (UTS Student). Great meeting to discuss options for studying to work and create in the fashion industry.
10/7 - Great to meet and discuss the potential for partnership with Myles Elledge; Director of the Babson Center for Global Commerce at University of the South, Sewanee, TN.
10/16 - Tour and meeting at the University of Tennessee Space Institute with, Director, John Schmissuer and Lee Leonard (Director; University of Tennessee Center for industrial Services. Topic: Co-sponsored events and education soon to follow.
10/17 - UT Southern; Introduction to Entrepreneurship Class met at NOVA EC Headquarters to practice their Start-Up Pitches.
10/18- Planning meeting with Jessie Parker, CEO of the Giles Co. Chamber of Commerce, to plan a pop-up of local retailers to showcase their businesses during the upcoming holiday season.
10/20 - Excited to meet with Lisa Garder, Director of The Co. Entrepreneur Center and LaunchTN Partner, to discuss strategy to identify and engage with potential InvestTN candidates in our regions.
10/20 - Attended the Nashville NEXT Awards celebrating the best and brightest entrepreneurs in Nashville. Thank you to the Nashville Entrepreneur Center and Launch TN for inviting us!
10/21 - We are introducing “real time” data to our website. Thank you to, entrepreneur and business owner, Ray Methvin for the Insyteful discussion.
10/22 - Great planning meeting with Lee Leonard (University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services) . We are happy to announce our first Nova EC/CIS workshop. Topic: AI in Manufacturing; December 11 (8 am -12 noon) at Makeshift in Pulaski, TN. Please contact us for more information.
10/23- UT Southern; Introduction to Entrepreneurship Class met at NOVA EC Headquarters to practice their Start-Up Pitches.
10/23 - Thanks for hangin out with us Zap! We visited The Lighthouse Incubator (Nashville, TN) to talk business with owner and investor, Zap. Stay tuned, Zap is coming to Makeshift soon as part of the NOVA EC Speaker Series.
10/23 - Does a manufacturing hub have a future in Pulaski? This was the question on everyone’s mind when we met with the AvMedical team and Tom Rogers; Regional Deputy Director of SBA.
10/28 - Met with Michael Bell, fashion business owner of Peace & Paradise and student, to discuss how to scale his online business.
10/30 - Attended the Cooper Steel Manufacturing Conference as a guest of Lee Leonard; Director at UT Center for Industrial Services. Nova EC was introduced to an audience of 75 manufacturing and industry executives.
10/30 - Connected with Lisa Sanders; VP of Academics and Compliance for TCAT Shelbyville.
10/30 - Mentored with the Founders of GoodWorks. A non-profit start-up in Pulaski, TN
10/31 - mentored students on creating their business pitches in the Intro to Entrepreneurship class at UT Southern.
Randy Boyd, President of the University of Tennessee, stopped by the University of Tennessee Southern to talk to the students in the Entrepreneur Class, and we took a great picture!

Randy Boyd, the University of Tennessee President, visiting with UTS Entrepreneurship Class

The Ask:
Where We Need Your Support

The NOVA EC is looking for business mentors in the fields of Community Business and Services, Retail, FinTech, AgTech, Supply Chain, AI, Non-Profit, and More. If you like to work with people and want to share your expertise, please contact us at info@news.novaec.org.
If you, a friend, family member, or acquaintance is dreaming of starting a business but not sure where to start? Reach out to us at the NOVA Entrepreneur Center. We offer mentorship, business resources, and channels to funding. Schedule an appointment on our website.
The NOVA EC is always looking to connect students with internship opportunities. If you are interested in hiring an intern, please contact us at info@news.novaec.org.