Greetings from Chattanooga,

There is a certain brand of entrepreneurship in Chattanooga that doesn't care about the noise. While larger tech cities and West Coast hype can often get swept up in the next big thing or the latest venture-backed moonshot, we’re very much in the midst of a few quiet giants. These are the companies that put their heads down, obsess over their customers, and build massive value in the background.

We’ve seen it first hand with TextRequest co-founder Rob Reagan’s talk at the Chattanooga Founders Forum. His journey was a 10-year masterclass in bootstrapping a company to a $15M+ ARR powerhouse right here on Broad Street. We see it again with Legacybox, a Southside staple that has quietly become a national leader in media preservation, and now tapping Vimeo co-founder Zach Klein as a Partner to help architect their next decade of growth.

And then there is iFixit. While CEO Kyle Wiens is busy testifying before Congress and leading a global "Right to Repair" revolution, his team quietly transformed a dilapidated produce warehouse in Onion Bottom into a $24M, state-of-the-art, geothermal-powered distribution hub.

These aren't just tech stories; they are proofs of concept that world-class companies are being built in our backyard without the coastal hype.

My challenge to you this week: Who else is quietly building a giant in Chattanooga? Let’s shine the spotlight on the teams that are outworking the PR players and delivering real value. If you know a founder or a company that fits the Quiet Giant mold, hit reply and let me know. It’s time we celebrate the builders who let their results do the talking.

See you around town,

Drew

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TVFCU Idea Leap Loans and Grants - Applications open again in July 2026 - TVFCU's Idea Leap initiative is distributing $225,000 in grants of up to $30,000 each to qualified small businesses. Eligibility requirements include: 2-25 employees (owner included), maximum annual revenue of $2.5 million, at least 12 months of operational history with proven revenue generation, and location within TVFCU's 17-county service area.

InvestTN Regional Seed Fund - This is a $28M Tennessee-focused initiative investing in startups served by 7 Regional Entrepreneur Centers across all 95 counties. Investments range from $25,000 to $250,000.

Small Business Innovation Research Program - Transform your innovations into market-ready solutions with the SBIR Program. This strategic federal funding initiative empowers small businesses to commercialize cutting-edge research and technology. Whether you're developing next-generation solutions or pioneering scientific breakthroughs, SBIR provides the capital and resources to accelerate your journey from concept to commercialization.

📈 Connections + Insights

Axial has released a few reports that provides cautious optimism for lower mid-market M&A, with 70.5% of dealmakers expecting a stronger year despite increased valuation discipline. As highlighted in Axial’s Top 50 Tech Investors list, capital is aggressively chasing specialized “quiet giants” in SaaS and Industrial Tech that have clean financials and a clear AI strategy. For founders, the message is clear: be read. Most stalled deals are simply on "hold" for better financial hygiene rather than dying outright, signaling a market that rewards substance over hype.

🔑 Connections + Opportunities

Digital Marketing Manager | PlayCore Help lead the digital strategy for a Chattanooga-based leader in play and recreation.

Special Events Programs Supervisor | City of Chattanooga Activate the City’s public spaces.

Account Executive / Founding GTM (Go-To-Market) leader at Harmony.AI to drive the next chapter of their growth. You will own the entire sales cycle—from cold outreach and storytelling to closing multi-threaded, high-value deals with factory operators and ownership teams.

My mission is to cultivate the startup community through connection. I'm a big believer in building this newsletter in public, so if you have ideas on how to further this ecosystem initiative, reply back to this email and let's work on this together.

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