Launch Tennessee selects three companies for inaugural commercialization grant

Launch Tennessee selects three companies for inaugural commercialization grant

Applications for next year's expanded program open July 29

Nashville, TN - Three Tennessee-based companies received a total of $300,000 to move university-born technologies from proof of concept toward commercial readiness.

The inaugural 2026 Tennessee Technology Advancement Consortium (TTAC) Technology Maturation Grant is a competitive funding opportunity designed to accelerate the development of university-originated innovations in the Volunteer State.

The program supports startups in advancing promising technologies beyond the proof-of-concept stage and preparing them for successful commercialization.

"The TTAC Technology Maturation Grant is critical for catalyzing startup formation, technology transition, and early commercialization outcomes for technologies originating from Tennessee's research institutions," LaunchTN CEO Lindsey Cox said. "And it elevates the way industry engages with Tennessee's research enterprise, turning proof-of-concept ideas into partnerships and products the market is ready to back."

The grant provides up to $100,000 in one-time funding to companies advancing technologies affiliated with a TTAC partner research institution.

To be eligible, startups must already have a validated proof of concept and a documented institutional connection through licensing, an option, sponsored research, or joint IP ownership, along with a clear plan to advance the technology toward greater readiness or market deployment.

2026 awardees
The 2026 Travel Maturation Grant class includes three companies spanning energy, aviation, and food safety, together receiving $300,000 in total funding.

• Terra Watts - Affiliated with Tennessee Tech, Terra Watts has developed a wireless underground power transmission system that delivers electricity through soil rather than copper wiring, reducing infrastructure costs and mineral demand for applications such as industrial agriculture, mining, and off-grid energy.
• Minco Technologies Inc. - Affiliated with Tennessee Tech, Minco Technologies is developing next-generation propulsion systems for unmanned aircraft, including a fuel-flexible engine designed to cut logistical fuel requirements and improve the endurance of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) platforms in the field.
• FloUV - Developed at Tennessee State University, FloUV has created a patented, non-thermal UV-C disinfection platform that improves microbial safety in opaque liquid such as dairy, juices, and other food and pharmaceutical products without heat or chemical preservatives.

Each awardee has secured a letter of interest from an industry partner or potential customer validating commercial demand for its technology.

"The Technology Maturation Grant was a turning point for Minco," said Dr. Rory Roberts, Minco Technologies founder. "It enabled us to bring on the critical engineering talent we needed, accelerate the development and integration of key subsystems, and deepen relationships with defense partners interested in deploying our power technology at their installations. Just as importantly, the grant helped reduce technical and commercial risk, sharpen our commercialization roadmap, and strengthen our ability to compete for the federal research and development funding needed for the next phase of development. It transformed a promising technology into a credible, fundable path toward commercialization and deployment."

About the grant
Funded awardees will use the grant to reduce technical and commercial risk, pursue licensing or strategic partnerships, and strengthen industry engagement.

The inaugural spring 2026 cycle drew applications from across Tennessee's TTAC-affiliated research institutions, evaluated by a panel of reviewers on technology merit and feasibility, commercial potential and market readiness, project plan and milestones, and team capability.

Following the success of the pilot, TTAC is expanding the program in FY27 with $500,000 in available funding.

The fall cycle broadens eligibility to include innovations licensed from Tennessee's additional R1 institutions, including Vanderbilt University; the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

TTAC Member Institutions remain prioritized, and at least 50% of total funding will be awarded to TTAC Member Institutions. Applications are open July 29 through September 9.

Startups interested in learning more about eligibility and the application process are recommended to attend a TMG informational webinar(s) starting July 29.

About Launch Tennessee
Launch Tennessee is a public-private partnership that fuels entrepreneurship and innovation across the state, with a goal of making Tennessee the best place in the nation to start and grow a company. Through initiatives like TTAC, LaunchTN connects the state's emerging research institutions with the capital, mentorship, and industry relationships startups need to bring new technologies to market.

For more information, check out our website.

Media Contact: Chloé Morrison, [email protected]