Nashville’s next tech accelerator shouts Music City, and it’s looking for Vanderbilt University engineering students to answer.
After five years of launching successful startups in other industries, the Nashville Entrepreneur Center is teaming with the Country Music Association for its first music-focused accelerator.
Health care and tech have dominated Nashville’s startup scene because music licensing can be difficult to navigate, the Nashville Business Journal reported in an announcement about the accelerator. But Joe Galante, CMA board member, entrepreneur center mentor and former chairman of Sony Music Group, told the journal that the time is right.
“I think everybody realizes that innovation and new ideas are what’s vital to anybody in business, so the music business is open to that and the entertainment business is open to that,” Galante said.
Deadline to apply for the accelerator is Nov. 24, and selected startups will being working early next year.
“Nashville is the logical place to launch this program,” Michael Burcham, CEO at the EC, told The Tennessean. “Music City is also the Entrepreneurial City and the ‘it’ city, where dreams become reality.”
EC Community Engagement Director Robbie Goldsmith said those selected will be awarded $20,000 cash and $100,000 in in-kind contributions from partners. They will work full-time at the center for 14 weeks, with access to mentors and staff plus opportunities to raise more capital.
To sign up, click here.
Contact
Heidi Hall, (615) 322-6614
Heidi.Hall@Vanderbilt.edu
On Twitter @VUEngineering