Appalachian Entrepreneurs Embrace Grit Strategy to Revolutionize Their Business Landscape
Startups Thrive in Rural Tennessee, Thanks to FoundersForge
A startup revolution is taking place in rural Tennessee, and it's all thanks to FoundersForge. This organisation, established by a former Silicon Valley founder, David Nelson, in Johnson City, has been instrumental in providing resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities that have helped startups like Personality Pool and ZenHammer flourish.
Personality Pool and ZenHammer: Success Stories
Lauren Glass-Mullins, a native of Kingsport Tennessee, is the founder of Personality Pool, an AI-powered hiring platform. The company's journey began with Glass-Mullins delivering beds to kids in need, followed by building a viral social good pillow company, and raising $300K in funding. Its initial strategy was to chase the biggest customers and try to be everything to everyone, but Glass-Mullins now believes in focusing on what her company does best and blocking out the noise.
ZenHammer, founded by Edwin Williams, is a real-time project visibility tool for construction. Williams' opportunistic, adaptable, and relationship-building abilities have earned him a list of clients and supporters. ZenHammer has gone through several pivots since its founding, each one made with the intention of better serving the construction community. Today, ZenHammer is in nine pilot programs and has been honed through top accelerators and Williams' role with the National Association of Home Builders.
Green Llama: Sustainable Success
Green Llama, one of FoundersForge's most exciting startups, is a sustainable home cleaning product company founded by Kay Baker and Dr. Matt Keasey. The company's openness to guidance and mentorship, including participation in FoundersForge's startup bootcamp, has been a key factor in its success. Green Llama has grown rapidly, with over 250 retail locations nationwide and a recent investment from Market Square Ventures.
FoundersForge's Impact
FoundersForge was established with the goal of building a startup community in rural Tennessee and providing the same level of support founders would get in larger cities. The team at FoundersForge shares Steve Case's vision of countering the mindset that entrepreneurship can only happen in larger cities, and envisions an economically thriving Appalachia through innovation and entrepreneurship.
FoundersForge holds events, workshops, and programs to cultivate entrepreneurship, including the Avante Startup Bootcamp program. Their work has led to significant growth in the number of high-growth startups and businesses in their region, with over 96 high-growth startups and more than 4,000 businesses today.
The Startup Mountain Summit
The Startup Mountain Summit, an event organized by FoundersForge, is attracting national attention and reshaping what's possible in rural innovation. This summit brings together entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders to discuss, network, and learn about the latest trends in startup culture.
A Bright Future for Rural Tennessee
Steve Case, a venture capitalist and co-founder of AOL, has showcased some of the startups he funded with Revolution's Rise of the Rest, including those in Appalachia. With the continued efforts of FoundersForge and other organisations, it's clear that the future of rural Tennessee's startup scene is bright. The region is proving that entrepreneurship is not limited to larger cities and that with the right resources and support, rural areas can thrive.
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