The Nashville innovation ecosystem is gaining global attention. Record research investment, a growing talent pipeline and a collaborative business community are creating new opportunities for startups, established companies and investors alike.
Nashville’s momentum is earning national and international recognition across entrepreneurship, workforce growth and economic competitiveness.
Fastest-growing startup scene in the world
U.S. metro for job growth and income
Nationwide for tech job growth
U.S. creative class growth
Data sources: PitchBook Global Venture Capital Ecosystem Rankings; Nashville Area Chamber; Computing Technology Association; Richard Florida / Financial Times
Innovation begins with discovery. The latest available data shows universities across Middle Tennessee are generating groundbreaking research, advancing new technologies and helping move ideas from the lab into the marketplace.
University research and development funding
University invention disclosures
Commercialization transactions and licensing agreements
University
startups formed
Increase in annual
invention disclosures
Metrics reflect the most recent data available from each source. Data sources: National Science Foundation Higher Education Research and Development Survey; Vanderbilt University Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization; Launch Tennessee / Tennessee Technology Advancement Consortium
Middle Tennessee’s colleges and universities produce thousands of graduates each year across engineering, health care, technology and the sciences, helping employers find the talent they need to grow.
STEM, health and medicine graduates annually
Data sources: Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce; respective university reports
Nashville combines entrepreneurial energy with established industries, creating an environment where businesses can launch, expand and collaborate.
Private equity
exit value
Government loans and grants awarded to Tennessee startups
Strong access to capital, a growing startup community and continued business investment are helping companies launch, expand and scale in Nashville.
Data sources: Greater Nashville Private Capital Association; Launch Tennessee
Innovation thrives where people have the space to build, collaborate and grow. From flexible coworking environments to specialized laboratory and manufacturing facilities, Nashville offers the infrastructure companies need at every stage.
Coworking locations totaling more than 2 million square feet
Square feet of scientific laboratory and manufacturing space
Resources supporting innovation across Middle Tennessee
Data sources: U.S. Coworking Industry Report; Covalent Life Sciences Report; Nashville Innovation Alliance Innovation Ecosystem Directory
Nashville’s strength isn’t defined by a single industry or institution.
It’s the connections between research, talent, entrepreneurship and investment that create an innovation ecosystem where ideas become companies and companies grow. That collaborative approach continues to attract new businesses, talent and investment while positioning Middle Tennessee as one of the nation’s fastest-growing innovation economies.
Through its initiatives, the Nashville Innovation Alliance is building on that momentum to create new opportunities across the region.
Whether you’re launching a startup, expanding your business, investing in new ideas or looking for research partners, there’s a place for you in Nashville’s innovation ecosystem.
Meet the people behind Nashville’s innovation story.
Cowrite the Future is a branding campaign created by the Alliance to make Nashville’s innovation success story more visible.
