LAUNCH Updates: August 2026

LAUNCH Newsletter: August 2026

A LETTER FROM OUR CO-CEOS

It’s Black Business Month this August, and we’re celebrating every milestone!

As LAUNCH celebrates 15 years of supporting entrepreneurs in building sustainable businesses, we also reflect on the significant contributions of the Black business community here in Chattanooga.

👉🏾 Hundreds of Black-owned small businesses.
👉🏾 Millions of dollars of revenue, benefiting our local economy.
👉🏾 Thousands of jobs created, contributing to the advancement of generational wealth.

Looking ahead in 2026, our numbers continue to set new records. Whether measuring program participants, grand openings, new business launches, or hosting revenue generating program events for small business owners, it is clear that LAUNCH’s impact is expanding, and we’re excited about the future!

Let this month serve not only as a celebration of Black business owners but also as a reaffirmation of our commitment to supporting their growth, success, and prosperity.

🎓 P.S. A major congratulations to our 2026 KIC Catalyst Accelerator cohort! After 16 weeks of hard work, you’ve all built strong businesses – and several delicious new food spots!

Hal Bowling & DeJuan Jordan

Co-CEOs, LAUNCH

AT A GLANCE

🚀 Start-Up Matrix Accelerator Applications OPEN: Our application for the Fall 2026 cohort is now LIVE! Apply by August 24^th for an in-person or online 10-week immersive, in-depth introduction to entrepreneurship, paired with post-program business coaching and ongoing support.
📣 Submit a LAUNCH Shoutout: Help us spotlight outstanding LAUNCHpreneurs by submitting a nomination through our LAUNCHpreneur Shoutout Form. No limit on nominations. Self-nominations are welcome.
💰 Support LAUNCH: For 15 years, LAUNCH has supported real people with real dreams. In fact, we have trained over 1000 people across the Chattanooga area. Your gift today of $25, $100, or $1,000 supports real people in our community. It says: "Your dream matters. We believe in you." Will you stand with us?
🎤 LAUNCH and Learn: Are you an expert in your industry, looking to share your knowledge with up-and-coming entrepreneurs? Learn more about this FREE professional speaking opportunity with LAUNCH by emailing our Director of Programs, Karen Collins.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Food Truck Friday: Back 2 School Edition | Aug. 7 | 11 - 7 PM

🕚 11 AM - 3 PM:
Wicked Wieners: 100+ backpack giveaway
🚚 10+ food trucks
🎶 Live radio broadcast & music

🕒 3 - 7 PM:
The Nehemiah Project: 1,000+ backpack giveaway, 1,000 free hotdogs served, free haircuts for kids, a Kidz Zone and more!

Canva 102 | Aug. 10 | 6 - 7:30 PM

No graphic design experience? No problem! This beginner-friendly class will introduce you to the ins and outs of Canva, while helping participants develop the eye of a graphic designer and marketer. This is the second part of this series.

Consumer Packaged Goods Roundtable | Aug. 12 | 6 - 8 PM

Interested in getting a product into a grocery store or just want to learn more? Come learn about the ins and outs of it all from industry experts at the Kitchen Incubator of Chattanooga (KIC) in this CPG food series.

Own Your Future: Part One | Aug. 20 | 12 - 1:30 PM

As an entrepreneur, you may think that you can work your business forever. While it is a lofty goal, at some point, you may want to retire. That’s where this class comes in. Come learn how you can own your future! Register here

Own Your Future: Part Two | Aug. 27 | 6 - 7:30 PM

In the second part of this two-part workshop, let us help you create a financial game plan that is tailored specifically to you, allowing you to retire on your terms and no one else’s. This is the second part of a two-part series workshop. Register here

Mastering Marketing: Part One | Sept 2 | 12 - 1:30 PM

Whether you're launching a business or simply trying to better understand your audience, this beginner marketing workshop is designed with you in mind. We’ll demystify core concepts of marketing and walk you through practical, easy-to-apply strategies. Register here

Food Truck Friday: Fall into Flavor | Sept. 4 | 11 AM - 3 PM

Spice up your lunch break by supporting local! Come join us at the Kitchen Incubator of Chattanooga (KIC) for Food Truck Friday, a monthly event that supports local businesses while providing a unique lunch experience! See details here

Mastering Marketing: Part Two | Sept. 9 | 12 - 1:30 PM

By the end of the workshop, you’ll leave with a stronger understanding of marketing fundamentals, a toolkit of actionable ideas, and the confidence to start promoting your business with intention and clarity. Register here

Consumer Packaged Goods Roundtable | Sept. 9 | 6 - 8 PM

CONGRATULATIONS KIC CATALYST ACCELERATOR GRADUATES!

Welcome to the LAUNCH family!

Special thanks to Southeast Bank, our sponsoring bank for KIC Catalyst.

Ariel Barnes
NachoKindaGirl

Ericka Harris
Ericka’s Food Net

Evony Harris
Food for the Soul

Gigi Woodson
Gigi’s Kitchen

Jan Zhan
Matcha Nooga

Jon Rector
Chattanooga Outreach d/b/a Union Goods

Julia Botz
Jubilee Soft Serve

Kera Edwards
The Cookie Collection

Loma Fisher-Swaby
Ja-Maken Me Kraaven

Luronda Jennings
Perfect Lu Paired

LaShondra Thomas
The Island Vibe

Maxene Thomas
The Island Vibe

Teresa Barnes
Na’cho Kinda Girl

Thomas Edwards
Matcha Nooga

Wayne Corros
Salt & Lotus

Yesenia Sepulveda
Wepa

LAUNCHEPRENEUR SPOTLIGHT

Oui Oui Boulangerie: Congratulations to Johann and Siliva Tremor on the grand opening of Oui Oui Boulangerie, Chattanooga’s new French bakery! The event had hundreds in attendance, including River City Company and City of Chattanooga officials.
Wei to Go (soon-to-be Kimchee): The owners of Wei to Go, Luwei Han and Dom Zhu, recently announced their new brick-and-mortar, Kimchee. The space is expected to open this fall and the LAUNCH team could not be more excited!
Styled and Staged: Congratulations to Cheri and Angie, co-owners of Styled and Staged, who recently celebrated their grand re-opening and one year anniversary at their new location! Congratulations on quite the achievement!
That Grazin' Gal: That Grazin’ Gal was recently selected to cater the board meeting for Young Professionals of Chattanooga, sponsored by the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce. Stephanie received high praise and many compliments!
The Chattery: The Chattery is bringing back another year of the Bloom Creative Summit, a one-day conference designed to empower black women and non-binary entrepreneurs. Be sure to grab your ticket and mark your calendar for September 17!
Salt & Lotus: Congratulations to the Corros family, who are co-owners of Salt & Lotus and recent KIC Catalyst graduates. They bought their food truck and are getting it ready to roll! We can’t wait to see this team in action.

LAUNCH TEAM SHOUTOUT

.CONGRATULATIONS TO MARK HOLLAND!

Our Kitchen Director, Mark Holland, recently traveled to Austin, TX to speak at the nationally recognized Food Truck Owners Expo, speaking on ‘The Top Mistakes Made by Food Trucks.’

Mark, thank you for representing Chattanooga’s vibrant food truck scene!

NEWS AND OPPORTUNITIES

🤝 Apply for UTC’s Urban Vision Initiative (UVI) Cohort: Deadline to apply is August 12. This program supports entrepreneurs from underestimated communities through 8 months of hands-on coaching, bootcamp sessions, and real business development.

🙆🏾‍♀️ Apply to be cast in ‘Women in Power’: If you have a story filled with life lessons, hard-won wisdom, and a mission to make a difference, the series invites you to be part of the lineup of a docu-education series, including shows which were in the running for 19 “Documentary of the Year” awards.

💰 Keep it Local Business Fund: The NAACP and the Nextdoor Kind Foundation will award 20 U.S. small business owners of color microgrants from the Keep It Local Business Fund, in partnership with Hello Alice.

🏫 Introducing the ChatGPT for small business program: ChatGPT is announcing the launch of the ChatGPT for small businesses program, an initiative to help small businesses be more productive and scale their businesses with ChatGPT.

📚 Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...and Others Don't: Built to Last, the defining management study of the nineties, showed how great companies triumph over time and how long-term sustained performance can be engineered into the DNA of an enterprise from the very beginning.

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