Charlie Brock

Charlie Brock

Biography

Charlie Brock has been CEO of Launch Tennessee since January, 2013.  Under his tenure, Launch Tennessee has grown 36|86 into the Southeast’s premier entrepreneurship conference; launched seven industry accelerator programs for high-growth startups; passed startup-friendly legislation; and provided programming that reaches entrepreneurs in 80 percent of the state’s 95 counties, up from 15 percent in 2013.  Early-stage investment in Tennessee has increased 100 percent during Charlie’s leadership of Tennessee’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. 

Brock is recognized as a shining star in Southeastern entrepreneurship and ecosystem development.  His was among the visions driving the transformation of Chattanooga.  He has been a serial entrepreneur for nearly 20 years and has founded several companies, including Foxmark Media, which he exited in 2006 to a global media company.  He leveraged this business success to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem in his hometown of Chattanooga.  Charlie co-founded the city’s first angel fund, mentored hundreds of startups, and was inaugural director of the GigTank accelerator during his time as CEO of CO.LAB. 

Brock was formerly part of the $100 million, family-owned Brock Candy.  He currently serves as a director of Pinnacle Bank, FourBridges Capital Advisors, the Dixie Group, Cumberland Emerging Technologies and Life Science Tennessee.  His philanthropic work includes serving as a board member of The Boys & Girls Club, Outreach Haiti and Girls Preparatory School; and as chair of the Endowment Committee for Good Shepherd Church.