How do we
measure success?
Success isn’t measured by novelty, personality, or facilitation, but our ability to drive meaningful change — advancing the entrepreneurial spirit and creating equity within our communities. Helping founders and innovators thrive within our region.
As an entrepreneurial organization with an emphasis on the economic and social impact role entrepreneurship plays in Northeast Tennessee, we focus on open dialogue and alignment of vision where our local, regional, and state partners goals can be best achieved, as we create a new launchpad for our entrepreneurs and innovators.
The outcome is always a result of collaboration and a focus on the greater impact. The ecosystem is the enabler for an entrepreneur’s success. At its most effective, the ecosystem provides the right tools and resources at the right time to amplify the founder’s journey and product, while ceding importance along the way.
From partnerships, programs and perseverance, Sync Space has led a vision of building an ecosystem for the region and developed a pipeline of resources for local entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs from around the nation who are considering East Tennessee for the first time. A further look into the efforts of this past year help contextualize the impact of the more than 200 startups and small businesses that continually trust Sync Space throughout their entrepreneurial journey.
The Data.
Support Throughout Northeast TN
Our reach of impact spans much farther than just the Appalachian Highlands. We've recruited companies and partnerships from across the United States, and several partners reach beyond that.
82 Companies
Across 7 Programs
45% Female | 55% Male
24% Minority
41 Mentors & 264 1:1 Mentor Sessions
12 Corporate Partnerships for Founders
40+ Events
Sponsored
Companies
A few of the companies that have participated in our programming have gone above and beyond in their accomplishments, innovation, and impact to our region and more.
- Developed Low-Cost Prosthetic Legs
- Helped 500+ Patients Globally
- One Leg Costs Just $100 to Make
- Built Student-Mentorship Connection App
- Successfully Launched Beta in 3+ Universities Across the Country
- Completed their Investment Goals This Year
- Brought the Nation-Wide Trailer Awards Show to TN
- Hybrid In-Person and Livestreamed Event from Niswonger Performing Arts Center
- Recruited Top Talent to Host and Present Awards
The Golden Trailer Awards (GTA) announced their 21st annual awards ceremony will be live-streamed from the Niswonger Performing Arts Center (NPAC) in Greeneville, Tennessee.
The organizers chose the unique location of NPAC in idyllic Greeneville, TN as the location for the 21st GTAs for a multitude of reasons. Said Evelyn Brady-Watters, co-founder of the GTAs, “The show must go on, however with Los Angeles still under Covid restrictions, we set our sights on NPAC, a state of the art theatre in Greeneville, TN, a region with a rich cultural heritage, bountiful spirits and a burgeoning new tech sector — we are excited for our show to be live streamed from ‘Distillicon Valley’ this year!”
Sisters Evelyn Brady-Watters and Monica Brady founded the GTAs to recognize the incredibly talented professionals who created the trailers and film marketing; the unsung heroes of the entertainment industry, whose great works fuels the movie and streaming business yet largely remain anonymous. Said Brady-Watters, “This year, we are also dedicating GTA21 as a tribute to all the unsung heroes in healthcare, food service, transportation, emergency services, and more who went to work (while we stayed home streaming) and kept us all going. We offer our sincerest gratitude and a night to enjoy a fun night of entertainment.”
“We are very excited to have the Golden Trailer Awards hosted in the Appalachian Highlands this year.” stated Heath Guinn, President of Sync Space Entrepreneur Center, “Northeast Tennessee’s prowess in the entertainment industry is one of our best-kept secrets and we’re seeing an incredible surge in our entertainment, production, and digital media entrepreneurs and workforce.”
- Developed Healthcare App to Keep Patients and Physicians in Contact and Stay on Track
- Accepted into Microsoft for Development
Events and Speaking
We attended so many events this year including our own programming, partner events, educational opportunities for the region, and some international travel as well.
- Spoke on a Panel with LaunchTN's CEO Lindsey Cox, Biz Foundry's CEO Jeff Brown, and Knoxville Entreprenuer Center Executive Director Jim Biggs
- Recruited Entrepreneurs and Businesses from Across the Nation to Attend
- Met with Several Investors and Senators Discussing Business Opportunities and Growth for TN
- Extention of the Golden Trailers focusing on Foreign Film Trailers
- Event was Held in Portugal
- Reinforced Network and Connections of the Film and Entertainment Industry
With the dramatic increase in global connectivity and game-changing technologies, creators and storytellers, inventors and entrepreneurs are re-defining content creation and audiences at staggering speeds.
The work of the entertainment marketers to discover and deliver audiences has never been more challenging or important than it is today.
World markets, new entertainment properties and platforms all require compelling marketing strategies and creativity for success and with them a new forum for world-wide professional recognition. The World Trailer Awards has been launched to honour outstanding marketing excellence in 32 categories across cinema, television, gaming, podcasting & radio, streaming, and social media.
The World Trailer Awards honors and celebrates the very best entertainment marketing strategies and executions from seven global regions: Africa, Asia, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, Middle East & North Africa and North America.
- $10,000+ Awarded to Pitchers
- 9 Pitchers Presented Their Business
Similar to the TV Show Shark Tank, local entrepreneurs pitch their ideas within 5 minutes for a chance to win cash prizes. If they go over time, they are met with a buzzer and have to immediately stop! This time limit forces the entrepreneurs to take their ideas and explain them in a simple, straightforward way. It’s a great event to watch and you might just get inspired to launch your own startup!
Unicoi Industry Day and Job Fair
- Connected with Regional Schools, Employers, and Students
- Challenged Students to think Differently about Their Upcoming Career Trajectory
2022 Career Quest
- Participated in the Introduction Q&A Panel
- Spoke with Students about Marketing and Business Development
LaunchTN Visit
- 2 Day tour of Kingsport with our partners from LaunchTN
- Showcased 10+ local businesses and initiatives and attended The Pitch 2022
Co.Starters Graduation
- Attended the awards ceremony and judging of the final Co.Starters group
- Over $1,500 Awarded to Participants
Grand Opening of the Kingsport CAAT
- Ongoing Partnership with Create Appalachia and the City of Kingsport
- The Center includes Co-Working Spaces, Digital Media Labs, Giclee Printers, and a Streaming Set
Leadership TN NEXT Panel
- Participated with Aundrea Salyer, MBA, CEcD, McKenzie Templeton, Carlton Scott Andrew and Mitch Miller
- Discussed our public private partnerships, talent retention and innovative programs, all across Northeast Tennessee
Relocated Businesses
Awards and Annoucements
Induction into ETSU Distinguished President's Trust
Visit from TN Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton
Thank you to TN Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton for visiting Sync Space Entrepreneur Center and for your leadership and support for the LaunchTN network. Speaker Sexton met with the Sync Space team to discuss a collaborative vision and the innovative role that entrepreneurship plays in elevating economic growth in Rural Tennessee.
Strive Partnership with Mark Bays
Sync Space continues to partner with ETSU’s College of Management and Marketing to bring the Strive Veteran Entrepreneur Program to our region. Designed to assist Veterans through all stages of their business plan, the 8-week course is free to those who wish to sign up.
Donation of 10K Grant to Phi Beta Lambda
The Johnson City Chamber of Commerce joined together with Sync Space and the ETSU College of Business and Technology through Dr. Jim Harlen to donate a 10K grant to ETSU’s Phi Beta Lambda to continue the growth of our local business students and future leaders.
Juneteenth Sponsorship & Scholarship Announcement
Sync Space sponsored the Tri-Cities Juneteenth celebration. The event was held June 18, 2022 at the Riverview community in Kingsport. Our goal is to bring our communities together to celebrate the emancipation and liberation of our ancestors, to provide historical education about the Juneteenth holiday, and to highlight both African culture and the unique “Affrilachian” culture that makes our region special. Sync Space announced the Diversity in Innovation Scholarship, created specifically to support innovators and entrepreneurs of color in our region.
HD Clean named 2022 SBA Tennessee Inventor of the Year
Sponsor of S.H.O.U.T!® Youth Leadership in Kingsport
Help Me Stream Research Foundation Computer Dontaion
Sponsored Exterior Banners for Boys & Girls Club of Kingsport
Sync Space worked with the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kingsport to design and donate 4 exterior banners. The banners showcase children learning, playing, and having fun. This coincides with the overall renovation updates, bringing new life and vibrant colors to the space.
