Behind every thriving small business is usually a handful of people who believed in it early on, and that support often comes from organized groups rather than just individuals. In Chattanooga, Entrepreneurial Support Organizations, or ESOs, play a key role in strengthening the local economy by connecting founders with mentorship, training, networking opportunities, and sometimes funding. Three of the biggest names doing this work in Chattanooga are CO.LAB, LAUNCH Chattanooga, and INCubator, each with its own approach but the same goal: helping local businesses get off the ground and scale. 

CO.LAB is a nationally recognized accelerator that connects startups with capital, mentorship, and corporate partners in mobility, energy, and EV infrastructure, while hosting innovation-focused events like Tennessee Quantum Hackathon, which brings college students from across the Southeast together for hands-on quantum challenges. 

LAUNCH Chattanooga has been in the game since 2011, offering educational programs and mentorship to entrepreneurs at every stage, plus organizing gatherings such as KIC Nights to connect local food businesses and vendors. 

Meanwhile, INCubator, backed by the Chattanooga Chamber and TSBDC, provides workspace, training, and networking resources for founders with its home base evolving as the program grows into new facilities. 

Together, these groups show just how much infrastructure exists in Scenic City for anyone ready to build and expand their business.