Contact Us to Get Started
UT’s Innovation Partnerships and Economic Development team provides concierge-level engagement to understand your research needs and connect your organization with the UT talent, resources, and support to meet your goals. We streamline the process so you can start innovating as soon as possible.
Your direct line to UT Research
Simply fill out the form and we’ll be in touch.
Meet our team
Get to know the people behind Innovation, Partnerships and Economic Development at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Marc Gibson
Associate Vice Chancellor, Innovation Partnerships and Economic Development
865-974-7592
Administrative Coordinator: Allie Leatherwood, [email protected]
Partnerships
We work with corporate partners to understand their research needs, connect them with faculty whose expertise and goals best align with those needs, and support the launch of new projects and alliances.
Rickey McCallum
Executive Director, Innovation Partnerships and Economic Development
865-974-0049
Economic Engagement
We connect organizations including businesses, chambers, and economic development agencies with UT faculty and resources to address regional and statewide priorities and drive economic development.
R. J. Youngblood
Director, Economic Engagement and Strategic Initiatives
865-974-9597
Entrepreneurship and New Ventures
We provide a full suite of resources, services, and funding to help innovators launch start-ups with use-inspired commercialization, business formation, and funding strategies. We partner with venture funds, corporations, and accelerators to advance innovation and growth.
Place-based Innovation
We support place-based innovation in the UT Research Park at Cherokee Farm and in other venues convenient to UT campuses, and we support workforce development initiatives to meet the needs of Tennessee’s growing economy.
National Security Research
We support close collaboration with US government agencies and Department of Defense research laboratories as well as leading defense industry partners, accelerating innovation by creating a dynamic ecosystem for technology transfer and applied research.
Cherokee Farm Development Corporation
UT Research Park at Cherokee Farm offers an ideal location for both established companies and entrepreneurs to forge successful collaborations with UT talent, and we provide the right connections to foster success.
Brett Malone
President and CEO, Cherokee Farm Development Corporation
Administrative Coordinator: Crissy Douglas, [email protected]
Rickey McCallum
Vice President, Cherokee Farm Development Corporation
865-974-0049
UT Research Foundation
The UT Research Foundation works closely with our teams to promote the commercialization of UT intellectual property, encourage an entrepreneurial culture, contribute to economic development, and promote research and education with societal benefits.