Amber Hayes, CEO of SecondKeys and winner of the 3686 Festival 2020 Pitch Competition, describes the process of building a tech startup and continuing to find new clients during COVID-19.   When Amber Hayes was working for a property manager, she realized that the processes used to manage maintenance requests were overly complex and unnecessarily…

Cheryl Campos, director of growth and partnerships at Republic, explains how equity crowdfunding can create opportunities for both founders and new investors.    Investing in startups has traditionally been an option for only the wealthiest Americans, but Cheryl Campos is excited about new opportunities that are expanding the pool of investors. As director of growth…

Amit Bhatti, principal at 500 Startups, explains how COVID-19 is reshaping the world of startups and fundraising, especially in markets like the Southeast.    Amit Bhatti believes that founders from smaller markets have a unique work ethic and creativity that people from traditional startup hubs often lack. As principal at 500 Startups, Bhatti invests in…

Monique Villa, investor at Mucker Capital and co-founder of Build in SE, shares her perspective on the unique advantages founders can access when they build their companies in the Southeast.    Monique Villa wants to help people understand that the Southeast is full of great talent and resources to help founders succeed. As an investor…

Savannah Yarborough, owner and creative director of SAVAS, discusses the unique experience of growing an in-demand fashion business in Nashville.   Savannah Yarborough knows that fashion is deeply personal, and she’s passionate about working with clients to create their dream pieces. Yarborough is the owner and creative director of SAVAS, a leather goods company specializing…

Laurie Spradley, vice president of operations and brand development at Goo Goo Cluster, explains how she’s helped her team navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, one candy bar at a time.    When COVID-19 forced Goo Goo Cluster to shut down their retail store off lower-Broadway, Laurie Spradley knew she would need to lean…

Entrepreneur Marcus Whitney explains why he decided to speak out about the role systemic racism has played in Nashville’s healthcare system and shares his vision for a more equitable future.   Marcus Whitney spent years avoiding conversations about racism in Nashville’s healthcare industry, but when he noticed that healthcare leaders were largely silent about the…

Launch Tennessee’s acclaimed Disrupt the Continuum podcast is back this spring for season four, with eight all new episodes recorded with speakers, moderators, and thought leaders at our 3686 Festival 2020, taking a deep dive into the innovators, makers, and game changers powering the entrepreneurial ecosystem here in Tennessee.   Special thanks to our partner…

In the season 4 premiere episode, the TRILUNA co-founders share their story of starting a company to bring a more holistic version of wellness into corporate America. When Elizabeth Moore and Ashley Brooke James first met, they’d just quit their jobs to pursue careers in wellness. Amazed by the transformation that yoga had caused in…