The Nashville Entrepreneur Center (EC) is a nonprofit organization that plays a vital role in cultivating Nashville’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. Founded in 2010, the EC is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs start, grow, and scale their businesses through mentorship, education, and access to resources. With a mission to make Nashville the best place to start and grow a business, the EC supports a wide range of founders at every stage of their journey—from those with just an idea to those preparing for rapid growth.

The Nashville Entrepreneur Center was launched through a collaborative effort led by a group of local visionaries, including Michael Burcham, a well known entrepreneur and healthcare executive who served as its founding CEO. The idea behind the EC was to create a central hub where entrepreneurs could receive the guidance, connections, and support needed to increase their likelihood of success while fostering economic growth in the region.

Since its founding, the EC has impacted over 14,000 entrepreneurs who have collectively raised more than $300 million in capital, generated over $400 million in revenue, and achieved exits totaling over $100 million. Through a wide range of accelerator and support programs such as PreFlight (early-stage ideas), TakeOff (to help launch new businesses), and InFlight (for companies ready to scale), The Nashville Entrepreneur Center provides the structure and community founders need to succeed. It also offers industry-specific programs like Project Healthcare and Project FinTech, as well as Twende--an accelerator program dedicated to empowering Black and Brown founders.

The CEO of the Nashville Entrepreneur Center Sam Davidson expresses, “The EC exists to make Nashville the best place to start and grow a business by increasing the likelihood of success for entrepreneurs. To that end, we help any entrepreneur in Middle Tennessee who wants to grow their business. Founded 15 years ago, the EC now has a thriving community of entrepreneurs and advisors. We host five 12-week accelerators twice a year for founders looking to escalate their growth more aggressively.”

Ben Evans, Content Creator at Nashville Entrepreneur Center, shares, “As an organization, the EC serves as a gathering place--both physically and virtually--where entrepreneurs can collaborate, network, and innovate. Its downtown Nashville location features co-working spaces, event rooms, and meeting areas, making it a dynamic environment for building businesses and connections. Whether founders are attending workshops, participating in programs, or working alongside fellow founders, the EC has been instrumental in providing access to mentors, tools, and capital needed to advance business ideas.”

For those interested in getting involved, the EC offers several pathways. Aspiring entrepreneurs can apply to one of the many accelerator programs or become a member to access resources and a supportive network. Established professionals and business leaders can join as mentors or advisors, helping the next generation of founders navigate their path. The EC also partners with local companies and sponsors to strengthen its initiatives and reach.

“The Nashville Entrepreneur Center has been such a wonderful organization to be a part of for the past fifteen years,” states John Ingram, our Belle Meade resident and Entrepreneur Center Board Chair Emeritus. “The opportunity to work with and mentor some of the brightest minds in Nashville has been incredibly rewarding, and I am thankful to have been involved. There have been so many success stories to come through the programs, and the EC is in such a great position to continue to cultivate the next generation of entrepreneurs in Middle Tennessee.”

The EC regularly hosts events, pitch competitions, and donor opportunities to support its programming and expand access to underrepresented communities. Contributions help fund scholarships, mentorship programs, and new initiatives aimed at economic inclusion and innovation. The EC puts on several events each year, including Nashville Entrepreneur Day and the NEXT Awards which will be held on October 20th, 2025, at Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

To learn more, support the mission, or get involved, visit ec.co.

Stroll Belle Meade is so proud to spotlight the Nashville Entrepreneur Center. We thank the CEO Sam Davidson, Content Creator Ben Evans, and Belle Meade resident John Ingram for truly Making A Difference.