KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Today, the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council (TAEBC) announced the launch of the Energy Mentor Network, a proven mentorship program specifically for energy entrepreneurs and startups in Tennessee. Applications are now open for mentors and startups to participate in the Energy Mentor Network.

The network, run by TAEBC in partnership with Launch Tennessee, was announced during TAEBC’s annual “Opportunities in Energy” event, which showcased the state’s lucrative advanced energy industry and recent achievements in the field.

The 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.

“Tennessee is uniquely positioned to be a mecca of energy entrepreneurs and businesses,” said Matt Kisber, President of TAEBC and President & CEO of his own company, Silicon Ranch Corporation. “The Energy Mentor Network is yet another tool Tennessee can leverage to gain for our state more than its fair share of the $1.3 trillion global advanced energy market.”

Tennessee has emerged as a leader in the advanced energy industry with nearly 325,000 Tennesseans employed in the sector and more than 17,000 business entities that contribute $33.4 billion to the State GDP. The state is also home to three unique assets that enable energy industry leadership and innovation—Oak Ridge National Laboratory, University of Tennessee and Tennessee Valley Authority.

“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, Launch Tennessee. This is the second mentor network under Launch Tennessee’s umbrella. The organization piloted the program with Life Science Tennessee in 2014 and has plans to add additional industries to the network.

The purpose of the program is to develop quality startups. After completing the program, startups will have an investable pitch deck, a rock solid business model and a plan to establish more traction. These tools will position Tennessee’s entrepreneurs to raise capital, request other funds like SBIR grants, and scale their company.

The Energy Network already has more than a dozen mentors signed up for the program with expertise in energy systems, clean tech, intellectual property, business and finance strategy. Mentors reviewed the first pool of applications in November and began mentoring this month.

The Energy Mentor Network is modeled after CONNECT San Diego’s 30+ year old Springboard program. Each company or entrepreneur is matched with a team of C-level executives who have deep experience in growing and scaling companies. This 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.

Applications are now open for mentors and startups to participate in the Energy Mentor Network. For more information and to apply, visit: https://tnadvancedenergy.com/energy-mentor-network/apply/

About Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council
The Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council (TAEBC) champions advanced energy as a job creation and economic development strategy. It educates public officials and business leaders about the value and job creation potential of Tennessee’s advanced energy assets, establishes strategic partnerships to connect assets with opportunities, and informs policy that expands and strengthens the industry.  For more information, visit www.tnadvancedenergy.com.

About Launch Tennessee
Launch Tennessee is a public-private entity focused on developing and supporting entrepreneurship, innovation and capital formation across the state. Launch Tennessee works with partners across the state to achieve its goal to make Tennessee the #1 state in the Southeast for entrepreneurs to start and grow a company. For more information, visit http://launchtn.org/.

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Today, the U.S. Department of Energy Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Kathleen Hogan, and new CEO of the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI), Bryan Dods, gathered in Knoxville to discuss the advanced energy industry ‘s economic impact in Tennessee and the nation.

The discussion took place at the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council (TAEBC)’s annual “Opportunities in Energy” event at The Square Room in Knoxville. More than 80 business leaders and public officials gathered for the event to discuss Tennessee’s place in the $1.3 trillion global advanced energy market and how to leverage advanced energy to make Tennessee the #1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs.

“Tennessee is uniquely positioned to be a mecca of energy entrepreneurs and businesses,” said Matt Kisber, President of TAEBC and President & CEO of Silicon Ranch Corporation. “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.”

TAEBC unveiled a three-part video series at the event, showcasing the people and businesses in Tennessee’s advanced energy industry. Tennessee’s advanced energy sector employs nearly 325,000 people and contributes more than $33 billion to the state GDP.

Click here to view the three-part video series: https://tnadvancedenergy.com/about-us/what-is-advanced-energy/

During panel discussions, industry leaders shared 2016 successes ranging from Schneider Electric selecting Tennessee for a regional office and creating 250 new jobs, to LeMond Composites creating more than 200 jobs with a revolutionary low-cost carbon fiber technology that will help the automotive industry reach 54.5 mpg; Oak Ridge National Lab’s Innovation Crossroads that will support the next generation of energy entrepreneurs and move innovation from the lab to the marketplace; Bridgestone Americas latest tire option that improves fuel efficiency, and Centrus Energy maintaining and advancing U.S. gas centrifuge uranium enrichment technology.

The event also featured the official launch of the Energy Mentor Network – a structured mentorship program specifically for energy entrepreneurs and startups in Tennessee, powered by Launch Tennessee and TAEBC.

Advanced energy is technology neutral. Anything that makes energy cleaner, safer, more secure and more efficient is in the tent. Examples include 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.

About Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council

The Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council (TAEBC) champions advanced energy as a job creation and economic development strategy. It educates public officials and business leaders about the value and job creation potential of Tennessee’s advanced energy assets, establishes strategic partnerships to connect assets with opportunities, and informs policy that expands and strengthens the industry.  For more information, visit: www.tnadvancedenergy.com.

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Today, the U.S. Department of Energy Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Kathleen Hogan, and new CEO of the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI), Bryan Dods, gathered in Knoxville to discuss the advanced energy industry ‘s economic impact in Tennessee and the nation.

The discussion took place at the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council (TAEBC)’s annual “Opportunities in Energy” event at The Square Room in Knoxville. More than 80 business leaders and public officials gathered for the event to discuss Tennessee’s place in the $1.3 trillion global advanced energy market and how to leverage advanced energy to make Tennessee the #1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs.

“Tennessee is uniquely positioned to be a mecca of energy entrepreneurs and businesses,” said Matt Kisber, President of TAEBC and President & CEO of Silicon Ranch Corporation. “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.”

TAEBC unveiled a three-part video series at the event, showcasing the people and businesses in Tennessee’s advanced energy industry. Tennessee’s advanced energy sector employs nearly 325,000 people and contributes more than $33 billion to the state GDP.

Click here to view the three-part video series: https://tnadvancedenergy.com/about-us/what-is-advanced-energy/

During panel discussions, industry leaders shared 2016 successes ranging from Schneider Electric selecting Tennessee for a regional office and creating 250 new jobs, to LeMond Composites creating more than 200 jobs with a revolutionary low-cost carbon fiber technology that will help the automotive industry reach 54.5 mpg; Oak Ridge National Lab’s Innovation Crossroads that will support the next generation of energy entrepreneurs and move innovation from the lab to the marketplace; Bridgestone Americas latest tire option that improves fuel efficiency, and Centrus Energy maintaining and advancing U.S. gas centrifuge uranium enrichment technology.

The event also featured the official launch of the Energy Mentor Network – a structured mentorship program specifically for energy entrepreneurs and startups in Tennessee, powered by Launch Tennessee and TAEBC.

Advanced energy is technology neutral. Anything that makes energy cleaner, safer, more secure and more efficient is in the tent. Examples include 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.

About Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council

The Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council (TAEBC) champions advanced energy as a job creation and economic development strategy. It educates public officials and business leaders about the value and job creation potential of Tennessee’s advanced energy assets, establishes strategic partnerships to connect assets with opportunities, and informs policy that expands and strengthens the industry.  For more information, visit: www.tnadvancedenergy.com.

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