Chattanooga founders, investors and innovators have even more reasons to come to Nashville 
this September for the state’s largest entrepreneurial conference, Launch Tennessee's 3686.  
This year, the conference will have an extended schedule, adding a startup & tech job fair, plus 
expanded networking opportunities as the event enters its landmark 13th year as a cornerstone 
of the innovation ecosystem in the Southeast. 

“Beyond a basic annual conference, 3686 is where innovation happens in real time,” LaunchTN 
CEO Lindsey Cox said.

“Our three-day conference facilitates investment deals, spurs novel 
ideas and provides expert content for an optimal learning experience. And we make it fun.”  
 
The conference brings together hundreds of startup founders, investors, corporate leaders and 
ecosystem partners from across Tennessee, the Southeast and the nation, with over 30 states 
represented at the 2025 edition.  

"The event also draws industry experts, elected officials and technology pioneers to take the 
stage for timely panels exploring hot-button topics facing entrepreneurs, from AI and quantum to 
life science, climate-tech, nuclear energy and more," officials said. 

New this year:  
- Startup + tech job fair - New to the lineup this year will be a recruitment expo for the state’s next-generation innovators to connect with dynamic Tennessee-located companies from Launch Tennessee’s InvestTN portfolio as well as some of the region’s top corporate players.  

- Startup Homecoming - 3686 will close this year with an all new celebration featuring live music from local ‘90s cover band My So-Called Band, live piano karaoke and the crowning of startup superlative honors like “Most Likely to Disrupt,” highlighting key players from across the ecosystem and drawing from community-submitted nominations. 

- Extended networking - After past years of success with an AI-powered matching app - which allows attendees to schedule meetings with others at the conference - the AI-powered matching platform will be available for a longer period during and after the conference. Last year, attendees scheduled 
770 one-on-one meetings in six hours - more than 125 meetings per hour. 

- Ticket add-on - 
? Attendees can purchase a ticket add-on for Tennessee Innovation Night at First Horizon Park during a Nashville Sounds game. 

- Back this year 
? Invite-only InvestTN Summit  
? Ask Me Anything Stage with top innovators 
? A pitch competition with a $10,000 prize 
? Startup Showcase featuring Tennessee-created innovation 
? Interactive brand activations 
? Exclusive merchandise   
? Community-centered partner popups 
? Panels of experts in their fields  
? Popular headshot activation