LSTCON 2026 is right around the corner! Save the date for November 5 at Revance headquarters in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. 

LSTCON is Life Science Tennessee’s annual conference that brings together Tennessee’s life science ecosystem to collaborate, learn, and build meaningful connections. You will hear from state and national industry leaders and researchers about the topics that are driving industry change.

Past sessions have explored use cases for leveraging AI, the rise of innovation districts to support life science research and development, research innovating life-saving treatments and care, workforce development, and policies that protect (not stifle) innovation. As always, LSTCON 2026 will include the crowd-favorite Venture Forum pitch competition for life science startups, and dedicated networking time.

If you would like to sponsor a session, suggest a speaker, or learn about other opportunities during the conference, please get in touch!

The University of Tennessee's Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research, in partnership with the Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs, the Synergy Institute, and LaunchTN, has undertaken the “Tennessee Longitudinal Survey of Ideas,” thanks to an EAGER (Early Concept Grants for Exploratory Research) grant from the National Science Foundation. 

The study is intended to help stakeholders understand how innovative products and processes are developed in Tennessee, particularly related to the timeline of innovation from idea to market. Results of the survey will help inform future research, programs, and policies that support entrepreneurship and innovation.

The initial questionnaire takes about 20 minutes to complete, and participants may be invited to participate in optional followup questions and interviews.

The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) has issued a statement outlining its concerns over proposed new regulation of federal grants, and the implications the proposal would have for the biotech sector if enacted. 

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) says its proposed Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance would make it easier to suspend or cancel federal grants, emphasize priority of “agency discretion” over peer review of proposals, and enhance “alignment of Federal awards with administration priorities.”

BIO’s comments focus on the anticipated impact the proposed regulation would have on the biotechnology sector, saying it will interfere with the system that generates biomedical innovation: “If finalized, this rule would risk disrupting critical research, weakening U.S. competitiveness, and slowing the pace of innovation — ultimately harming patients.”

Get your tickets now, and meet us in Germantown!

Lock in your spot today for Tennessee’s can’t-miss entrepreneur conference, happening Sept. 14-16 in Nashville.

Whether you're looking for fresh ideas, valuable connections, or your next big opportunity, 3686 has something for you.

Expect insightful panels, the fan-favorite startup pitch competition, and a showcase of Tennessee-born innovation, along with new experiences like a statewide startup and job fair, AI-powered networking that helps you make the right connections, and Startup Homecoming — our closing celebration complete with live music, yearbook superlatives, and a few nostalgic twists.

UT Ventures, founded to connect UT alumni investors with startups that have ties to the university, has made its first investment, backing Solaris Endovascular, a Dallas-based medical device company whose C-suite team includes UT graduate John Reviere as vice president of clinical and quality operations.

The Vanderbilt Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization has promoted interim Executive Director of New Venture Development George Wilson to the permanent position. 

UnitedHealth Group, CVS Health and Cigna are joining forces to combat new laws and proposals that prevent companies from managing prescription benefits and also operating retail and mail-order pharmacies.  

Earlier this month, a federal judge blocked Colorado from capping the price of Amgen's blockbuster arthritis drug Enbrel, a significant development for Prescription Drug Affordability Boards (PDABs) nationwide that may prompt states with existing PDAB programs—including Maryland, Washington, and Minnesota—to reassess their approaches to establishing upper payment limits.

The UTC Research Institute has made an initial institutional investment of $130,000 to help launch the multidisciplinary Biomechatronics in Healthcare Initiative.

The U.S. Department of Energy's Innovation Crossroads program at ORNL and Spark Accelerator at UT Research Park have announced their newest cohorts of tech innovators.