Spark Innovation Center Expands: New State-of-the-Art Lab Spaces for Hardtech Startups at UT Research Park

The UT Spark Innovation Center is excited to announce the opening of new lab spaces for hardtech startups at the University of Tennessee Research Park. Applications are now open for new startups to join the Spark Incubator, with a deadline of September 10th. Accepted companies will have the opportunity to occupy these cutting-edge lab spaces this fall, fostering innovation and growth in advanced technologies.

The new lab spaces will be located in Innovation South, a building currently under construction in the UT Research Park. Three lab spaces will be dedicated to tenants of the Spark Incubator, with each space set up to be shared between two startup companies, enabling the Incubator to welcome up to six startups. The Incubator serves companies working in advanced technologies such as clean energy, mobility, advanced materials, and manufacturing. In addition to top-quality lab space, Spark Incubator tenants will receive access to shared equipment and facilities, expert mentorship, commercialization training, and strategic connections. New members will join an innovation community with other local tech founders.

“We’re excited for the opportunity to welcome new startups to the Spark Incubator,” said Lilly Tench, Director of the Spark Innovation Center. “Together with the current Spark labs in the Institute for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing (IAMM), we will be able to provide space for up to 12 companies. This is an important piece of growing the local startup ecosystem.”

The need for lab spaces for startup companies in Knoxville motivated the Spark Innovation Center’s founding in 2020. Since then, through its incubator and accelerator programs, Spark has supported 29 companies that have collectively raised over $73 million and created 108 jobs. 76% of the companies served have remained in East Tennessee.

“Having startups working alongside top researchers and industry partners in IAMM and now Innovation South creates a unique culture of innovation and opportunities for collaboration,” said Jon Phipps, Executive Director of the UT Institute for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing. “Spark companies are a crucial part of the mix, and we’re excited to see that grow.”

“Being part of the Spark Incubator was a critical part of our journey,” said Anna Douglas, founder of SkyNano, a Spark Incubator alum that has since grown into their own 20,000 sq ft facility. “High quality lab space at an accessible rate is very hard to come by for startups. The Spark Incubator played an important part in our ability to stay and grow here in the region.”

Startups interested in applying to the Spark Incubator can learn more and apply at www.tnresearchpark.org/spark/incubator until September 10th, 2024. The Spark Innovation Center is supported by the University of Tennessee, the City of Knoxville, the U.S. Department of Energy, the Appalachian Regional Commission, Launch Tennessee, the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the Truist Foundation, and works in close partnership with the region’s Innov865 Alliance and the Heartland Climate Tech Partnership.

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About the UT Research Park

The UT Research Park serves as a gateway for both public and private organizations seeking to collaborate with the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. The Park offers an ideal location directly across the Tennessee River from UT’s flagship campus and provides the right connections to foster successful partnerships.

About the Spark Innovation Center

The Spark Innovation Center is an initiative of the University of Tennessee Research Park that leverages the unique science and technology resources of the region to help high-tech, high-impact startups grow, succeed, and stay in East Tennessee. Spark offers promising energy technology companies access to top-quality lab space, expert mentoring, and coordinating support services from partner organizations in the region.

The Spark Innovation Center is supported by the University of Tennessee, the City of Knoxville, the Department of Energy, the Appalachian Regional Commission, Launch Tennessee, the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the Truist Foundation, and works in close partnership with the region’s Innov865 Alliance and the Heartland Climate Tech Partnership.  For more information, visit tnresearchpark.org/spark/.