Launch Tennessee is currently looking for its next class of students to participate in the Blackstone Specialist Program. Now in its second year, this program aims to immerse students in Tennessee's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Students will be selected to work at one of five accelerator programs in the state. In addition to exposure to the state's leading innovators and entrepreneurs, the students will have the opportunity to learn from the accelerators' master mentors. They will also receive a stipend.
"Our goal for the Specialist Program is to not only provide support for the accelerators and participating entrepreneurs, but also to attract and retain talent in Tennessee," said Burgess. "The results of our first year exceeded expectations as several specialists are still engaged in our entrepreneurial ecosystem or acting as unofficial 'ambassadors' for entrepreneurship in Tennessee. We had two students, myself included, who continued work with accelerators after completing the program; two who are currently interning with companies in The TENN; one specialist received equity in a company; and one other was hired on permanently with a company."
Applications for the summer program are now being accepted. Click here to learn more or to register for the summer program.
The program was made possible by a grant from the Blackstone Charitable Foundation, which supports new initiatives that foster development in entrepreneurial ecosystems.