Market Square Ventures is a Knoxville-based venture capital firm focused on backing early-stage startups across Tennessee, the Southeast, and Appalachia. With a deep commitment to supporting founders in traditionally overlooked regions, the firm’s mission is to pair capital with connections to make an impact where it matters most.

What factors influenced your decision to establish a presence in Tennessee?

We live and work here, and we want to invest in exceptional founders in a traditionally overlooked region where our capital and connections can make a big impact.

What local resources or partnerships unique to Tennessee has your company leveraged to support growth and innovation?

Our deal flow is attributable to the local and regional relationships we’ve built throughout Knoxville and the State of Tennessee with organizations including the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, University of Tennessee Research Park, Innovation Crossroads at Oak Ridge National Lab, Brickyard, LaunchTN and many more.

What makes TEAM TN equipped to drive innovation in AI-inspired Information Communication Technologies, electrification, cybersecurity and automation?

Innovation in energy, automation and cybersecurity is in the Knoxville area’s DNA. Market Square Ventures is based at 121 Tech Hub, a coworking space for tech founders. We’re at the intersection of ideas, transportation and technology. University of Tennessee and TVA headquarters are within a mile, and Oak Ridge National Lab is a 15-minute drive. Railroad tracks are steps away and we’re close to the junction of Interstate 40 and Interstate 75. We’re connected to the world by lightning-fast KUB Fiber. Locally, regionally and nationally, TEAM TN is ideally sited and connected to drive innovation.

What does the future hold for your company in terms of growth, innovation or community involvement?

Since inception in March of 2024, we’ve averaged a deal a month by investing in great founders in Tennessee. We plan to continue that cadence through 2025 and 2026 and in addition to investing, we have several more exciting projects in the works – stay tuned!