NEST-TN

NEST-TN, L.L.C. (NEST-TN) is a seed and early-stage venture capital firm that commenced operations in 2009, founded by Fran F. Marcum, who also serves as Managing Partner of Marcum. Based in Tullahoma, Tennessee, the firm is dedicated to providing crucial initial capital to promising startups, primarily within the United States, aiming to foster their early growth and development.

The firm's investment activities are primarily supported by its sole identified fund, NEST-TN Fund I, L.P., which has a reported total capital of $1.5 million. This fund size positions NEST-TN as a focused investor in the nascent stages of company development. Their investment strategy centers on participating in seed and early-stage funding rounds, providing the foundational financial support necessary for startups to scale operations, advance product development, and expand their market presence. While their core focus is on early-stage opportunities, NEST-TN demonstrates a diverse interest across various sectors, including biotechnology, healthcare, materials science, and software.

Since its establishment, NEST-TN has cultivated a varied portfolio of companies. Notable investments include their participation in the seed rounds of innovative firms such as Smarter Sorting, a data intelligence platform, and GenomOncology, a company focused on precision medicine. They also contributed to the Series A funding for NanoMech, a materials science company, and invested in Pathology Watch, a digital pathology solution, during its seed stage. These investments underscore NEST-TN's commitment to backing disruptive technologies and business models across a range of industries, reflecting a flexible approach to early-stage venture capital.

As a firm with a concentrated fund, NEST-TN plays a significant role in the early-stage funding ecosystem, particularly for companies seeking initial capital to validate their concepts and achieve critical developmental milestones. Their consistent presence in the venture capital landscape since 2009 highlights a sustained dedication to nurturing entrepreneurial ventures, leveraging their expertise to identify and support the next generation of innovative companies.