Launch Tennessee (LaunchTN) is rounding out the program for the annual 36|86 conference this summer, announcing new speaker and sponsor commitments. The mission of 36|86 is to bring southern thinkers, founders and investors together and inviting a national audience to participate in the experience.
The growing list of confirmed venture capital firms participating in the conference includes "big-name players" like Scott Kupor of Andreessen Horowitz and Karen Kerr with GE Ventures. They have also received commitments from regional super-angel investor Joanne Wilson, entrepreneurial influencer Kelly Hoey and media personality Jon Shieber with TechCrunch. Early sponsors include Delta Air Lines, Dell, Nashville Chamber of Commerce, Softlayer and Pinnacle Financial Partners.
“The response from top tier investors and sponsors for this year’s event has been tremendous,” says Courtney Corlew, Director of 36|86. “We are looking forward to producing the best conference in the region and showcasing the finest in southeastern entrepreneurship and culture.”
Last year, 36|86 drew over 900 attendees, including over 120 investors representing 86 venture firms and 34 startups from the Southeast and Washington, D.C. The startups at last year’s conference have collectively raised $33.7 million, nearly half of that being post-36|86. Past conference keynote speakers include figures like Former Vice President Al Gore, Eventbrite Co-Founders Julia & Kevin Hartz, former Evernote CEO Phil Libin, Warby Parker CTO Lon Binder, among many others.
The conference is scheduled for
June 6 and 7 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in downtown Nashville.
“This conference is a terrific experience for early-stage startups. I would recommend pitching at 36|86 to any young company,” says Jewel Burks, CEO and Founder at PartPic. The Tennessee-raised and Atlanta-based entrepreneur won last year’s 36|86 pitch competition. “I got first-class feedback and terrific support.”
A limited supply of early bird tickets for
36|86 are now available. The conference is expected to sell out.
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.