Colab
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
OUR VISION IS TO PUT CHATTANOOGA AT THE FOREFRONT OF CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGIES TO IMPROVE OUR ECOSYSTEM WITH ADVANCES IN SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY, TO BE THE BEST SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY STARTUP ACCELERATOR IN THE WORLD, AND TO BUILD A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE FUTURE BY SUPPORTING SCALABLE BUSINESSES IN THE GREATER CHATTANOOGA REGION. CO.LAB IS RECOGNIZED AS A TOP 10 ACCELERATOR IN THE COUNTRY.
- Income
- $1.2 million
- Spending
- $1.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 59%
- Reserves
- 2.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 62%
- Employees
- 10
- Volunteers
- 25
- Highest pay
- $225,038, chief executive officer
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.3 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 44% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 15% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1559% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 15 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (5)
- $485,409 spent. SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY ACCELERATOR: OUR 12-WEEK ACCELERATOR PROGRAM GUARANTEES DEDICATED GROWTH-FOCUSED SUPPORT. WE AIM TO INVEST IN SIX COMPANIES PER PROGRAM. THE COHORT CAN TEST AND SCALE THEIR MVP THROUGH ACCESS TO THE WORLD'S ONLY URBAN TESTBED FOR CONNECTED AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH THE WORLD'S FIRST COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE QUANTUM NETWORK. THE COHORT WILL FIND PRODUCT-MARKET FIT WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK WITH INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC CORPORATE PARTNERS. THE COHORT IS GUARANTEED ACCESS TO A NETWORK OF 65+ POTENTIAL MENTORS, CONNECTING WITH WORLD-CLASS INDUSTRY EXPERTS, TECHNOLOGISTS, AND BUSINESS DOMAIN EXPERTS TO HELP SCALE THEIR BUSINESS. THE COHORT WILL BE CONNECTED TO TOP INDUSTRY LEADERS WHO WILL HELP THEM MAKE CRUCIAL FIRST CUSTOMER INTRODUCTIONS. THERE WILL BE A $20K INVESTMENT FOR EACH TEAM INITIALLY THROUGH THE FOUNDER'S FUND WITH THE POTENTIAL OF FOLLOW-ON FUNDING AND INTRODUCTIONS TO OVER 50 INVESTORS WHO ARE CURRENTLY LOOKING TO INVEST IN STARTUPS.
- $330,277 spent. CO.MOBLITY SUMMIT: CO.LAB HOSTED ITS SECOND ANNUAL CO.MOBILITY SUMMIT TO CONVENE INDUSTRY LEADERS, RESEARCHERS, POLICYMAKERS, AND INVESTORS WITH A LASER-SHARP FOCUS ON SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY TO SUPPORT STARTUP FOUNDERS AND INNOVATORS THAT ARE WORKING ON SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEMS THAT CHATTANOOGA'S MOBILITY INDUSTRY IS WORKING HARD TO SOLVE. THE GOAL OF THE SUMMIT IS TO INTRODUCE OUR INDUSTRY AND RESEARCH STRENGTHS TO STARTUPS ACROSS THE REGION TO HIGHLIGHT CHATTANOOGA AS ONE OF THE LEADING PLACES FOR MOBILITY BUSINESSES. THE DESIRED OUTCOME IS TO BRING BURGEONING BUSINESSES HERE TO LEVERAGE OUR STRENGTH, PROVIDE SOLUTIONS TO OUR CORPORATE PARTNER'S MOST CHALLENGING ISSUES, AND BOLSTER OUR COMMUNITIES' TECH ECOSYSTEM AND ECONOMY.
- $1,144 spent. COMMUNITY EVENTS: COFFEE WITH CO.LAB: COFFEE WITH CO.LAB SERVES LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS BY PROVIDING A CONSISTENT NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY WITH OTHER LIKE-MINDED AND LOCAL INDIVIDUALS. IT ALLOWS SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS TO KNOW THEY ARE NOT ALONE, SHARE THEIR UPCOMING BUSINESS EVENTS/NEWS, AS WELL AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR MORE ABOUT CO.LAB'S UPCOMING EVENTS AND RESOURCES. CWC WILL IDEALLY TAKE PLACE ONCE A MONTH IN EACH HUB COUNTY, EQUALLING TO 4 CWC EACH MONTH. HAPPY HOURS: DURING THE LAST YEAR, CO.LAB HOSTED A MONTHLY HAPPY HOUR THAT FEATURED TRIVIA ON SUSTAINABILITY AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP TO ENGAGE DIVERSE INDIVIDUALS FROM INVESTORS, FOUNDERS, STUDENTS, PROFESSIONALS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS. WE HAVE DECIDED TO DISCONTINUE THESE AND (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) (EXPENSES $1,055 INCLUDING GRANTS OF $0 )(REVENUE $974) ...FILL THE CALENDAR WITH MORE COFFEE WITH CO.LAB AND LUNCH AND LEARNS WHERE WE FEEL WE CAN PROVIDE BETTER RESOURCES TO MORE OF THE COMMUNITY. LUNCH AND LEARNS: CO.LAB HOSTS INFORMAL TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS THAT TYPICALLY TAKE PLACE DURING LUNCHTIME. THESE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES ALLOW COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND ENTREPRENEURS TO COME TOGETHER TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW RELATED TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP OR INNOVATION WHILE ENJOYING LUNCH. THE FORMAT TYPICALLY INVOLVES A SHORT PRESENTATION OR WORKSHOP FOLLOWED BY A Q&A AND DISCUSSION SESSION. EV RIDE AND DRIVE: AS A LEADING ADVOCATE FOR SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY CO.LAB TEAMED UP WITH TENNESSEE DEALERSHIPS TO BRING MORE ELECTRIC VEHICLE AWARENESS TO THE CHATTANOOGA COMMUNITY BY HOSTING THE FIRST-EVER EXPERIENTIAL EV RIDE & DRIVE AT THE BEND RACETRACK. THIS GROUNDBREAKING EVENT AIMS TO REVOLUTIONIZE THE WAY PEOPLE PERCEIVE ELECTRIC VEHICLES (EVS) BY OFFERING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LOCAL COMMUNITY TO TEST DRIVE A RANGE OF CUTTING-EDGE EV MODELS, ULTIMATELY FOSTERING INCREASED EV SALES AND REDUCING THE STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH ELECTRIC VEHICLES. SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY REVERSE PITCH: CO.LAB HAS PARTNERED WITH TENNSMART TO HOST A VIRTUAL REVERSE PITCH CHALLENGE, WHICH IS A NEW EVENT THAT TURNS THE TABLE ON ENTREPRENEURS BY ASKING ORGANIZATIONS TO PITCH THE PROBLEMS THEY WANT STARTUP TEAMS TO SOLVE AND OFFER A PATHWAY TO FUNDING. ENTREPRENEURS WERE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO COLLABORATE ON GROUNDBREAKING WORK THAT COULD IMPACT MAJOR INDUSTRIES AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE NATION. CHATTANOOGA FOUNDERS FORUM: CO.LAB HAS PARTNERED WITH VENTURESOUTH TO PROVIDE MONTHLY EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS AND LUNCHES SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR FOUNDERS. TOPICS OF THE SESSIONS INCLUDE INVESTING, SCALING, MARKETING, AND UTILIZING TOOLS SUCH AS LINKEDIN. INVESTORS HAVE COFFEE: CO.LAB HAS PARTNERED WITH VENTURESOUTH TO PROVIDE A MONTHLY LOW-BARRIER OPTION FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN INVESTING TO MEET FOR NETWORKING AND LEARN MORE ABOUT BEING ANGEL INVESTORS IN A CASUAL ENVIRONMENT.
- $82 spent. INTRAPRENEURSHIP WORKSHOP: CO.LAB IS DEVELOPING A CUSTOM-MADE WORKSHOP AIMED AT HELPING INNOVATORS WITHIN A LARGE ORGANIZATION LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NECESSARY BUSINESS TOOLS NEEDED TO IDEATE, REFINE, AND IMPLEMENT ORGANIZATIONAL INNOVATIONS. THIS IS A FULL-DAY WORKSHOP TAILORED TO EACH ORGANIZATION BASED ON THEIR SPECIFIC INTERNAL NEEDS, KEEPING IN MIND THE NUANCES WITHIN CHANGE MANAGEMENT. THE FIRST PILOT PROGRAM HAD A FANTASTIC RECEPTION FROM TVA WITH 60 PARTICIPANTS. CO.STARTERS: WE OFFER A PROGRAM TO TEN COUNTIES, PROVIDING ENTREPRENEURS WITH A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY, AN ORGANIZED FRAMEWORK, AND A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AS THEY TRANSFORM THEIR IDEAS INTO REALITY. THIS PROGRAM FACILITATES THE JOURNEY FROM CONCEPTUALIZATION TO BUSINESS LAUNCH THROUGH A SERIES OF BOOTCAMP SESSIONS GUIDED BY CO.LAB AND RESPECTED LOCAL BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS, WHO IMPART VALUABLE KNOWLEDGE ON VARIOUS BUSINESS CONCEPTS TO THE PARTICIPANTS. KIVA: CO.LAB IS THE ONLY KIVA HUB IN THE STATE OF TENNESSEE. KIVA IS A NONTRADITIONAL ONLINE LENDING PLATFORM THAT USES CROWDFUNDED MICROLOANS AS A FORCE FOR GOOD. KIVA CREATES A SPACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN HAVE A TANGIBLE IMPACT ON EACH OTHER AND ULTIMATELY FINANCIAL ACCESS FOR ALL. ENTREPRENEURS CAN BE CONNECTED TO LENDERS ACROSS THE GLOBE AND CAN APPLY FOR CROWDFUNDED LOANS OF UP TO $15,000.00 AT 0% INTEREST FOR TERMS UP TO 36 MONTHS.
- (Expenses $ 82 including grants of $)(Revenue $ 298) INTRAPRENEURSHIP WORKSHOP: CO.LAB IS DEVELOPING A CUSTOM-MADE WORKSHOP AIMED AT HELPING INNOVATORS WITHIN A LARGE ORGANIZATION LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NECESSARY BUSINESS TOOLS NEEDED TO IDEATE, REFINE, AND IMPLEMENT ORGANIZATIONAL INNOVATIONS. THIS IS A FULL-DAY WORKSHOP TAILORED TO EACH ORGANIZATION BASED ON THEIR SPECIFIC INTERNAL NEEDS, KEEPING IN MIND THE NUANCES WITHIN CHANGE MANAGEMENT. THE FIRST PILOT PROGRAM HAD A FANTASTIC RECEPTION FROM TVA WITH 60 PARTICIPANTS. CO.STARTERS: WE OFFER A PROGRAM TO TEN COUNTIES, PROVIDING ENTREPRENEURS WITH A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY, AN ORGANIZED FRAMEWORK, AND A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AS THEY TRANSFORM THEIR IDEAS INTO REALITY. THIS PROGRAM FACILITATES THE JOURNEY FROM CONCEPTUALIZATION TO BUSINESS LAUNCH THROUGH A SERIES OF BOOTCAMP SESSIONS GUIDED BY CO.LAB AND RESPECTED LOCAL BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS, WHO IMPART VALUABLE KNOWLEDGE ON VARIOUS BUSINESS CONCEPTS TO THE PARTICIPANTS. KIVA: CO.LAB IS THE ONLY KIVA HUB IN THE STATE OF TENNESSEE. KIVA IS A NONTRADITIONAL ONLINE LENDING PLATFORM THAT USES CROWDFUNDED MICROLOANS AS A FORCE FOR GOOD. KIVA CREATES A SPACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN HAVE A TANGIBLE IMPACT ON EACH OTHER AND ULTIMATELY FINANCIAL ACCESS FOR ALL. ENTREPRENEURS CAN BE CONNECTED TO LENDERS ACROSS THE GLOBE AND CAN APPLY FOR CROWDFUNDED LOANS OF UP TO $15,000.00 AT 0% INTEREST FOR TERMS UP TO 36 MONTHS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 2009.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.