Fast facts:
- 3686: LaunchTN entrepreneur conference named for the geographic coordinates of Nashville
- 13: years of the conference
- 975 attendees engaged
- 60 partners engaged
- 34 Tennessee counties represented
- 18 states represented
- 27 industries represented
- 14 universities represented
- 58: speakers
- 25: companies participated in the inaugural Tech and Startup Job Fair, including global Oracle and Starbucks, both of which have recently expanded their presence in Tennessee
Nashville — Tennessee’s thriving innovation community came together in Nashville last week for an energizing 3686, Launch Tennessee’s annual entrepreneur conference, bringing founders, investors and industry leaders together for three dynamic days of connection, conversation and opportunity.
“One of the things that I absolutely love about 3686 is that it brings together people from not only Tennessee, not only the Southeast Tennessee region but from all across this country, and we’re all coming together for the same purpose,” Vanderbilt’s Charleson Bell said. “Not only to collaborate, but to create a better world, a better society through our innovations and through helping other people.”
InvestTN Summit
The InvestTN Summit kicked off 3686 at the Tennessee State Museum, bringing Tennessee founders together with angel investors and venture capital firms from across the country.
Co-hosted by LaunchTN and J.P. Morgan, the invite-only event featured conversations on the economic outlook, raising capital and the forces shaping Tennessee’s startup ecosystem.
Speakers included J.P. Morgan’s Ginger Chambless, LaunchTN Chief Investment Officer Eller Kelliher and Deputy Gov. and TNECD Commissioner Stuart McWhorter.
The Summit closed with four InvestTN portfolio companies — Hera Health Solutions, Adele Health, VeriQual and Sage Haven — taking the stage to pitch before attendees headed into 3686.
3686
After kicking off with badge pickup and happy hour Monday afternoon, the programming began Tuesday. Attendees stopped by the swag station and photo studio for free headshots, and moved between three main Germantown locations — Brooklyn Bowl, Tailgate Brewery and Von Elrod’s.
Panel topics on day No. 2 included a discussion of defense tech, quantum technologies and the economy; a fireside chat with Metropolis; talks on artificial intelligence and creative brands.
“What made 3686 so special this year was the content,” LaunchTN CEO Lindsey Cox said. “We brought together some amazing folks for panels…with just some incredible, insightful information for our audience. I think we really did a great job this year hitting something for everyone at 3686.”
New Tech and Startup Job Fair
This year’s 3686 included — for the first time — the Tech and Startup Job Fair, a hiring event designed to connect Tennessee’s top talent with innovative startups, fast-growing companies, and industry-leading employers from across the state.
Attendees had access to global brands, like Oracle and Starbucks, which are newly relocated to Tennessee, plus more than 20 startups that connected with Tennessee’s top talent.
Ask Me Anything
Back for its second year, the Ask Me Anything stage, moderated by Nashville Post Editor-in-Chief Nicolle Praino, was a hit with speakers including Adolpho Birch from the Tennessee Titans and Monchiere’ Holmes-Jones with MOJO Impact Collective.
1-on-1 meetings
Networking opportunities are part of the 3686 magic. Attendees set up more than 1,300 one-on-one meetings using the Brella app and AI-powered personalized matchmaking, made possible by Nelson Mullins.
And new this year, access to Brella extended past the on-site 3686 experience to empower attendees to keep networking and connecting from home for 10 days after the conference.
Fast facts
- 86% of 3686 attendees registered for Brella and opted in to networking (Brella’s average is 72%)
- 51% of 3686 attendees scheduled 1-on-1 meetings (Brella’s average is ~21%)
- 1,312 meetings were requested via Brella
2026 3686 Pitch Competition, presented by Amazon
Standout founders from Blackwing Space, ExactRX, For The People, One of None, and Provision Surgical took the stage to showcase their companies before a panel of expert judges — and a packed crowd of investors, potential customers, and fellow innovators — for the chance to take home a $10,000 cash prize and a 12-month package from LUCID Private Offices.
ExactRX came out as the winner of the 2026 3686 Pitch Competition.
Provision Surgical took home the Audience Choice Award.
Congratulations to all the winners and participants!
Startup Superlatives
Wednesday night, we celebrated Startup Superlatives at Homecoming with custom bedazzled sashes:
- Most Likely to Disrupt: Virind Gujral, EV Bots
- Most Ready to Pitch Anywhere: Justin Gray, Potluck
- State Spirit: Cortney Piper, Piper Communications
- Community Connector: Nate Smith, Epicenter
- Makes It All Look Easy: Haley “Zap” Zapolski
- Local Dealmaker: The Torch Collective
Partner popups
Thirteen partners — including the Nashville Entrepreneur Center, The Lighthouse, Nelson Mullins, the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, and The Biz Foundry — hosted popup events throughout Germantown on Wednesday.
Partners
LaunchTN would like to thank our Supporting Partners: Pinnacle Financial Partners, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Cherry Bekaert, Nelson Mullins, J.P. Morgan, The University of Tennessee system, Vanderbilt University, and Interlaced.
Also, a special thanks to our 3686 sponsors:
- Amazon
- Harbor
- Edison Partners
- MTSU College of Basic and Applied Sciences
- ConcertIDC
- Fidelity Investments
- BakerDonelson
- LUCID Private Offices
- GNPCA
- Ecomap
- EO Nashville