Policy & Progress at Spark – March 2026

Spark’s Policy and Progress newsletter provides quarterly updates on SBIR/STTR developments, key policy changes, and other important updates across the Spark ecosystem. Each issue highlights insights from reputable, well‑vetted sources and includes links to all referenced information to ensure clarity and transparency. SBIR & STTR Updates Legislative Update: SBIR/STTR Reauthorization On March 17, 2026, the House passed the Small Business … Read More

University of Tennessee’s innovation districts will reshape campus boundaries

Keenan Thomas / Knoxville News Sentinel The University of Tennessee at Knoxville has high-tech plans in creating its public-private innovation districts, including a new center focused on national security. The National Security Prototype Center is designed to be part of the larger Oak Ridge Innovation Corridor proposed by Chancellor Donde Plowman. The 60,000-square-foot building will be developed by a private business … Read More

Spark Accelerator Opens 2026 Applications

he next generation of resilient, clean American energy and infrastructure companies is taking shape where power is generated, materials are engineered and systems are deployed at scale.

Bill Malkes: What Volkswagen Found In Knoxville

Five years ago, Volkswagen made an innovative choice. Instead of writing a check to a university and waiting for a report, they moved in. VW already had a major manufacturing presence in Chattanooga, but when they built their first North American R&D hub, they chose UT and moved onto the Research Park. Their scientists set up inside UT’s Research Park … Read More

Thriving in 3D: Why Knoxville is a Hidden Gem for Startups

By Grady VanderhoofvenFounder and Chief Executive Officer at Three Roots Capital “Great on paper,” is how Knoxville was described by former Apple Vice President of International, John Brandon, during initial conversations about relocating his anti-counterfeiting 3D printing startup, TreisD, from its Atlanta beginnings to East Tennessee. Two weeks ago, I joined Dennis Corley, our Director of Lending and Investing at … Read More

Launch Tennessee Grants New Awards to Seven Recipients

Launch Tennessee grants TTAC Partnership Program Awards to seven recipientsAwardees are working on everything from quantum technology to agtech Launch Tennessee is providing funding for programs and events that support researchers and entrepreneurs statewide to advance innovation and commercialization across Tennessee’s research institutions. Through the Tennessee Technology Advancement Consortium (TTAC) Partnership Program, LaunchTN awarded funding to its first seven organizations. The … Read More

Bill Malkes: Close to the Ground

Micromobility sounds small when discussed in policy rooms, but anyone who has watched a neighborhood wake up knows it is not. I learned that sitting in traffic meetings where every line on a map was really a family, a job, or a tired pair of legs trying to get home. Cities do not move in averages. They move in habits, … Read More

Daisy Genomics and New Day Diagnostics Partner to Advance CRC Detection With University of Tennessee Support

KNOXVILLE, TN, UNITED STATES, January 8, 2026 / EINPresswire.com / — Daisy Genomics Inc. (“Daisy Genomics”) and New Day Diagnostics (“New Day”) have announced a strategic research collaboration focused on cancer diagnostics, launched in partnership with the University of Tennessee and the East Tennessee Health Innovation Alliance (“ETHIA”), to advance the development of next-generation epigenetic sequencing and liquid biopsy tools aimed at transforming early colorectal cancer … Read More

Policy & Progress at Spark – December 2025

Welcome to the first edition of Spark Innovation Center’s policy newsletter! This quarterly update is designed to keep our Spark community informed about SBIR/STTR developments, key policy changes that may affect companies in our network, and other relevant updates from across the Spark ecosystem. Each edition highlights key insights from reputable, well-vetted publications, and includes links to all referenced information. … Read More