For immediate release
Sept. 23, 2026
Austin Peay State University joins Launch Tennessee technology consortium
Nashville — Austin Peay State University became the seventh institution to join Launch Tennessee’s technology consortium, which provides support for university researchers working to get their ideas from research labs to the commercial market.
“APSU brings a unique combination of research expertise, military-connected innovation and regional workforce partnerships to TTAC,” Austin Peay Vice Provost and College Graduate Studies Dean Dr. Chad Brooks said. “By joining this statewide network, we can share expertise with other Tennessee institutions while giving our own researchers access to a much larger ecosystem of industry, entrepreneurs, investors and commercialization resources.”
The Tennessee Technology Advancement Consortium aims to foster innovation, democratize access to commercialization support for novel technologies, and streamline commercialization of university-based innovations across the Volunteer State.
In fiscal year 2026, through TTAC, LaunchTN provided $1.5 million to six Tennessee institutions to support research commercialization outcomes.
“University research is one of Tennessee’s most powerful economic engines, but only when it has a path to market,” Jennifer Skjellum, LaunchTN Vice President of Commercialization and Director of the Tennessee Technology Advancement Consortium, said. “Austin Peay’s membership in TTAC brings that path to Clarksville and one of the state’s fastest-growing regions. We look forward to working with APSU’s innovators to turn their discoveries into new companies, new jobs, and new investment in Middle Tennessee.”
In the program’s fourth year, APSU joins other institutions:
- East Tennessee State University
- Meharry Medical College
- Middle Tennessee State University
- Tennessee State University
- Tennessee Technology University
- University of Memphis
FY26 TTAC by the numbers
- 22 startups launched
- 47 active industry partnerships
- 49 faculty filed their first invention disclosure
- 83 commercialization-focused events held on TTAC campuses
- 90 new invention disclosures
- 142 faculty newly engaged in commercialization
- 251 faculty engaged in commercialization activities
About Launch Tennessee
As Tennessee’s hub for startups and innovation, Launch Tennessee’s mission is to empower innovators across Tennessee by providing capital, commercialization and connections. As a public-private partnership, we are uniquely positioned to provide direct investment, while also supporting collaboration among founders, investors, researchers, the private sector and government.
About Austin Peay State University
APSU is a major regional public university located in Clarksville, recognized as a top choice and leader for military-affiliated students in the state, and offering associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees across multiple instructional sites including the main campus and Fort Campbell.