Nashville Entrepreneur Center

The Nashville Entrepreneur Center (EC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 2010 and based in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, that helps founders find product-market fit, gain traction, and access capital and mentorship. Its accelerators never take equity, and each includes free coworking membership and a showcase at Nashville Entrepreneur Day. It runs four accelerators by stage: PreFlight, a four-week virtual cohort that turns an idea into a validated business plan; TakeOff, which takes founders with a validated plan to launch; InFlight, for high-growth founders scaling traction; and Project Healthcare, for health tech startups, with immersion visits inside Nashville health systems. Most programs require about three hours weekly. TakeOff, InFlight, and Project Healthcare founders compete for $40,000 in non-dilutive Impact Grants, split across six awards. Programs are open to founders based in or connected to Middle Tennessee, with limited financial assistance available. Founders also get access to a Capital Expert-in-Residence, 200+ advisors, and Founders Circles for underrepresented founders.