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Tennessee Technology Development Corporation

EIN 62-1765738 · Nashville, TN

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair51 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LAUNCH TENNESSEE IS A 501C3 THAT SUPPORTS THE STARTUP ECOSYSTEM THROUGH CAPITAL, CONNECTIONS AND COMMERCIALIZATION. 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.

Income
$17.6 million
Spending
$17.1 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
0 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 100%
Employees
27
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$278,239, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover -0.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 89% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 36% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 (3)
  1. $9.1 million spent. SBIR/STTR SUPPORT PROGRAM - THE ORGANIZATION'S SBIR MATCHING FUND PROGRAM PROVIDES GRANTS TO SELECTED TENNESSEE COMPANIES WHO HAVE RECEIVED FEDERAL SBIR/STTR AWARDS. THE GOAL OF THE SUPPORT EFFORT IS TO ASSIST TENNESSEE COMPANIES IN ACHIEVING HIGHER THAN AVERAGE SUCCESSRATES FOR PHASE I AND PHASE II WINS AND TO PROVIDE FUNDING TO EXPEDITE BRINGING RESEARCH INTO MARKET.
  2. $3.1 million spent. WE FULFILL OUR MISSION IN PART BY PROVIDING FUNDING AND CONNECTIONS TO SEVEN REGIONAL ENTREPRENEUR CENTER PARTNERS LOCATED IN MEMPHIS, JACKSON, NASHVILLE, COOKEVILLE, CHATTANOOGA, KNOXVILLE, AND THE TRI-CITIES AND SIX STATEWIDE INDUSTRY PARTNERS IN INDUSTRIES WHICH ADDVALUE TO THE TENNESSEE ECONOMY INCLUDING ADVANCED ENERGY, AG TECH, CONSUMER PACKAGED GOODS, FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGIES, LIFE SCIENCES, AND MOBILITY.
  3. $941,009 spent. THE TENNESSEE ADVANCEMENT CONSORTIUM (TTAC) - A STATEWIDE INITIATIVE OFFERING TECHNLOOGY TRANSFER AND COMMERCIALIZATION SUPPORT NETWORK TO EMPOWER FACULTY AND STUDENT INNOVATORS AT TENNESSEE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS TO BRING THEIR GROUNDBREAKING RESEARCH TO MARKET. WE FULFILL OUR MISSION BY PROVIDING RESOURCES, EXPERTISE AND CONNECTIONS TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN ACADEMIA AND INDUSTRY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 1999.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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.