The Chattanooga Technology Council

What The Chattanooga Technology Council does

The Chattanooga Technology Council (ChaTech) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization founded in 2002 and headquartered at 100 Cherokee Blvd, Ste. 103, Chattanooga, Tennessee. It operates as the central coordinating body for the regional technology ecosystem across a 16-county tri-state footprint spanning Southeast Tennessee, Southeast Georgia, and Northeast Alabama. ChaTech's mission is to foster innovation, collaboration, and growth within Chattanooga's tech community across three strategic pillars: Ignite Tech (Talent Growth), Accelerate Innovation & Entrepreneurship, and Amplify Chattanooga's Tech Brand.

ChaTech's service portfolio is organized into five pillars: (1) community programs including Senior Tech Forum, ChaTech Women, Chattanooga Data Professionals, Digital Marketing Meetup, and Tech Tuesdays coworking; (2) signature events — the TechX Awards (annual fundraiser across 12 categories), Scenic City Summit (annual IT/software conference), and STEM for Her (K-12 STEM pipeline); (3) a Jobs & Talent Program with a free job board and talent showcase; (4) a Training & Development Network aggregating educational providers; and (5) a Tech Groups Directory covering 15+ sub-communities. The organization delivers 100+ events annually, supported by a Neon CRM membership platform and Mailchimp newsletters.

The revenue model combines four streams: individual memberships ($150/year), business memberships ($500/year covering all employees), tiered sponsorships from Connect ($5,000) to Visionary ($20,000), event ticket/table sales, and 501(c)(3) charitable donations. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Karen Walker (CBL Properties), with membership drawn from major regional employers including EPB, Tennessee Valley Authority, CGI, Check Point, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and Unum. Operational headcount is small (1-10 employees), with Melissa Phillips serving as Membership & Finance Officer since 2018.

Name

The Chattanooga Technology Council

Legal name

Chattanooga Technology Council

Website

https://chatech.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Chattanooga Technology Council (ChaTech) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization that bridges Chattanooga's 16-county tri-state tech ecosystem through 100+ annual events, signature programs (TechX Awards, Scenic City Summit, STEM for Her), and tiered membership and sponsorship offerings.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Chattanooga

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from individual ($150/year) and business ($500/year) members. All employees of member companies receive membership benefits.
2. Sponsorships: Partnership and sponsorship tiers ranging from $5,000 (Connect Partner) to $20,000 (Visionary Partner) annually, providing brand visibility and engagement opportunities with the tech community.
3. Event Revenue: Ticket sales and table purchases for signature events including TechX Awards (annual fundraiser) and Scenic City Summit conference.
4. Donations: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, ChaTech relies on charitable contributions from members, sponsors, and donors. 100% of donations support programs strengthening the local tech community.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ChaTech is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit technology council that operates a membership-based platform connecting the Chattanooga tech community to networks, events, and resources needed for growth. It sells individual and business memberships and corporate sponsorships, runs over 100 events annually including Tech Tuesdays, TechX Awards, Scenic City Summit, and STEM for Her, and maintains community programs supporting tech professionals, students, and technology-enabled companies across a 16-county tri-state region.

Product overview

The Chattanooga Technology Council (ChaTech) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization that serves as a technology council bridging Chattanooga's tech community to the networks, events, and resources needed for growth. ChaTech's product portfolio is organized around five core pillars: community programs (Senior Tech Forum, ChaTech Women, Chattanooga Data Professionals, Digital Marketing Meetup, Tech Tuesdays), signature events (TechX Awards, Scenic City Summit, STEM for Her), a Jobs & Talent Program (job board and talent showcase), a Training & Development Network (partnered educational institutions and programs), and a Tech Groups Directory. ChaTech operates across a 16-county tri-state region and offers membership at individual ($150/year) and business ($500/year) tiers. The organization does not offer a standalone software product; rather, it delivers programs, events, networking, education, and community-building services to member companies, tech professionals, students, and startups.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ChaTech Membership Program Annual membership program for individuals ($150/year) and businesses ($500/year) that provides networking events, business resources, sponsorship opportunities, member-only programs, job posting access, and discounted event pricing. All employees of member companies are covered under business membership.
• TechX Awards Annual awards ceremony honoring individuals, teams, and organizations across 12 categories including CxO Leader of the Year, Tech Company of the Year, AI/ML/BI Excellence, Woman in Tech Leadership, Emerging Tech Student, and Tech Educator of the Year. Serves as ChaTech's primary annual fundraiser with VIP and general admission ticketing.
• Scenic City Summit Two-day annual conference for software development and IT professionals in the Southeast. Features keynotes, breakout sessions, networking, and a showcase/expo for vendors and sponsors. Held annually in Downtown Chattanooga.
• STEM for Her Annual event inspiring 6th-12th grade female students to explore STEM fields through hands-on activities, career exploration, and mentorship from industry professionals. Held at Chattanooga State Community College's Gerald McCormick Center and free for attendees thanks to sponsors.
• Tech Tuesdays Monthly coworking and networking event held on the first Tuesday of each month, hosted in partnership with Capacity, CD Tech, CO.LAB, The Enterprise Center, Plain Sight, and Society of Work. Offers flexible coworking hours and programming tailored to the tech community.
• Corporate Sponsorship Program Multi-tier corporate sponsorship program with four tiers ranging from $5,000 (Connect Partner) to $20,000 (Visionary Partner) annually. Provides brand visibility, social media promotion, personalized introductions to member companies, board/committee leadership consideration, and tailored event sponsorship planning.
• Jobs & Talent Program Talent platform connecting tech job seekers with employers in Chattanooga's tech ecosystem. Includes a free job board for companies to post openings, a talent showcase/database for local tech professionals, and curated tech workforce insights resources including CompTIA reports and salary guides.

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CapacitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTech Tuesdays host partner providing collaborative workspace and community engagement for monthly coworking events connecting Chattanooga's tech professionals.
• CD TechcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTech Tuesdays host partner serving the Chattanooga tech community through coworking events and programs.
• The Company Lab (CO.LAB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTech Tuesdays host partner and 501c3 nonprofit that accelerates early-stage startups in the greater Chattanooga region. CO.STARTERS program provider and Office Hours consultation service.
• The Enterprise CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTech Tuesdays host partner supporting the Chattanooga tech ecosystem through innovation and entrepreneurship programs.
• Plain SightminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTech Tuesdays host partner contributing to community-building events for Chattanooga tech professionals.
• Society of WorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTech Tuesdays host partner providing coworking space and resources for the Chattanooga tech community.
• Chattanooga Area Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing strategic partner providing business association services and regional economic growth initiatives. Joint programs include INCubator (127,000 sq ft startup support) and Hamilton County Business Development Center.
• Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides free business counseling and training seminars to existing and startup small businesses. TSBDC has an office inside the INCubator BDC.
• The University of Tennessee at ChattanoogacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner providing tech career training through Center for Professional Education, Bachelor of Applied Science in Information Technology - Cybersecurity degree, and Challenger STEM Learning Center.
• Chattanooga State Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner providing technical education and career training through Division of Engineering & Information Technologies and Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT). STEM for Her venue host.
• Kenco GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Chattanooga Data Professionals community meetups and supporter of ChaTech programs.
• BuildWithin / Apprenticeship WorksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides Registered Apprenticeships in Chattanooga, offering debt-free paths to careers with paid on-the-job training and nationally recognized credentials.
• Tech Goes HomeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBridges the digital divide by providing digital literacy training, affordable devices, and internet access assistance to empower residents and communities.
• Center CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides UX design curriculum preparing junior user experience designers that companies need.
• PersevereminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development organization empowering individuals impacted by the justice system by training them as full-stack software developers.
• SCORE ChattanoogaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides free SCORE business mentoring to help entrepreneurs start, grow or successfully exit businesses.
• KivaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit expanding access to capital for entrepreneurs through microloans, offered through CO.LAB.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• MassTLC (Mass Technology Leadership Council): Long-standing nonprofit technology industry association serving Massachusetts with membership tiers, signature events, awards, and advocacy. Comparable mission and operating model to ChaTech at a larger scale.
• Silicon Slopes: Utah-based nonprofit technology association convening the regional tech community through events, awards, and membership. Comparable in mission and broad membership-driven offerings to ChaTech.
• Technology Association of Georgia (TAG): Georgia's largest technology industry association with a membership-driven model, events, awards, and community programs. Directly comparable as a regional tech council in a neighboring state serving a similar mix of corporate members, professionals, and students.
• Nashville Technology Council: Regional nonprofit technology council serving the Nashville, TN tech community with membership, events, and workforce programs. Most directly comparable to ChaTech as a neighboring Tennessee-based tech industry association with similar membership/event model.
• Pittsburgh Technology Council: Nonprofit technology council serving the Pittsburgh region through membership, events, awards, and workforce development. Highly comparable structure to ChaTech as a mid-size regional tech industry association.
• Tech Association of Oregon (TAO): Oregon-based nonprofit trade association for the tech industry with membership programs, events, and workforce initiatives. Comparable regional tech council operating model to ChaTech.

Others

• The Enterprise Center: Chattanooga-based nonprofit focused on innovation and entrepreneurship programs, and a Tech Tuesdays host partner. Comparable as a regional nonprofit serving the same tech ecosystem but with a broader innovation/equity mandate.
• The Company Lab (CO.LAB): Chattanooga-based 501(c)(3) startup accelerator that is a strategic partner of ChaTech (CO.STARTERS program). Comparable as a regional nonprofit serving the same tech ecosystem, with an overlapping but more startup-focused remit.

Regional players

• Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce: Regional business association serving the same Chattanooga geography with overlapping corporate members (represented on ChaTech's own board). Comparable in membership/event model but broader in scope beyond technology.

Broad incumbents

• CompTIA: Global nonprofit technology trade association with membership, certifications, events, and workforce research. Comparable in nonprofit association structure and industry workforce focus, but operates at a far larger national scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chatechcouncil
• Xx.com/chatechcouncil
• Facebookfacebook.com/ChaTechWomen

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Chattanooga Technology Council