Radar · Chemicals and Materials in Tennessee
Best Chemicals and Materials Companies in Tennessee, United States
The 58 best Chemicals and Materials companies in Tennessee, United States in 2026, ranked by funding and momentum. Funding, investors, founders, valuation, tech stack and live signals. Top: Genera Energy.
By Riya SenguptaFinancials
58companies tracked
$155.4Mdisclosed funding
0unicorns
6have raised
FLIAR INTELLIGENCE · CHEMICALS AND MATERIALS × TENNESSEE
Our analysis of 50 Chemicals and Materials companies
$3.9b in tracked funding; 74% of the stack-profiled cohort runs cloud-native; funding activity peaked in 2025.
50companies analysed
74%cloud-native stacks
2025funding peak (by rounds)
2016median founding year
41median Fliar Index™
381kcombined LinkedIn audience
87%of audience held by top 3
2companies hiring publicly (12 mo)
Ranked: Best Chemicals and Materials companies in Tennessee
| # | Company | Disclosed funding | Last round | Stage | Founder | Founded | Tech stack | Patents & IP focus | Recent signals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genera Energy Producer and supplier of agricultural feed stocks, fibers and compostable products | $122M | 83 mo ago | Acquired | Kelly Tiller CEO & President | 2008 | WordPressApple iCloud MailMySQL+25 | — | — |
| 2 | Trillium Renewable Chemicals Manufacturer of green acrylonitrile and acetonitrile from biorenewable feedstocks 19Funding top 29%Moat top 48%Talent bottom 49%Global bottom 38% All 6 signals ▾Fundingtop 29% Moattop 48% Talentbottom 49% Globalbottom 38% Newsbottom 33% Marketbottom 23% Funding: Raised $21.9M across 5 rounds · 5 rounds over 5 yrs (1.0/yr) Moat: Editorial + unicorn rating 5/10 · 9 curated direct competitors tracked rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 19/100 | $22M | 2 mo ago | Series B | Corey Tyree Founder & CEO | 2021 | — | — | — |
| 3 | Avadain Technology Manufacturer of high quality graphene flakes 48Innovation top 22%Patents top 24%Talent top 28%Growth top 45% All 9 signals ▾Innovationtop 22% Patentstop 24% Talenttop 28% Growthtop 45% Moattop 45% Fundingtop 49% Techbottom 44% Globalbottom 42% Marketbottom 13% Innovation: 69 patents (top 32% of patent-holders) · 63 filings since 2022 vs 6 in 2017-21 Patents: 69 patents matched (strict assignee match) · 63 filings since 2022 vs 6 in 2017-21 rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 48/100 | $6M | 15 mo ago | Series A | Bradley Larschan Co-Founder & CEO | 2016 | WordPressMySQLPHP+17 | 69 patents Electrochemical exfoliation of graphite to produce graphene flakes for advanced materials. | — |
| 4 | MillenniTEK Manufacturer of advanced materials, specializing in technical ceramics for the nuclear power and defense… 29Product top 26%Funding top 48%Innovation bottom 49%Patents bottom 48% All 7 signals ▾Producttop 26% Fundingtop 48% Innovationbottom 49% Patentsbottom 48% Moatbottom 42% Techbottom 31% Globalbottom 29% Product: 12 distinct product lines · Company stage: Acquired Funding: Raised $4.2M across 6 rounds · 6 rounds over 6 yrs (1.0/yr) rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 29/100 | $4M | 14 mo ago | Acquired | — | 2010 | — | 3 patents Patents concentrated in chemistry & materials | 3 job openings |
| 5 | Pennakem Pennakem | Renewable Resource Chemistry | $779K | 62 mo ago | Funding Raised | — | 2008 | WordPressMySQLPHP+15 | — | — |
| 6 | KB International Manufacturer of drilling polymers & fluids and mineral coring | $400K | 190 mo ago | Early Stage | Ken Brownfield Owner | 1996 | WordPressMySQLPHP+16 | — | — |
| 7 | Endeavor Composites Manufacturer of carbon fiber and composite prototypes | $256K | 47 mo ago | Funding Raised | Hicham Ghossein Founder & Chief Executive Officer | 2019 | — | — | — |
| 8 | Eastman Private equity firm focused on multiple sectors | — | 190 mo ago | Public | George Eastman Founder | 1920 | Cart FunctionalityAdobe Experience ManagerJava+24 | — | — |
Top 8 Chemicals and Materials companies in Tennessee
#1
Series B · Knoxville, Tennessee · founded 2021 · 3 employees$21.9Mraised▾
Series B · Knoxville, Tennessee · founded 2021 · 3 employees
Manufacturer of green acrylonitrile and acetonitrile from biorenewable feedstocks. It provides alternatives to oil and gas derived propylene. The company focuses on manufacturing drop-in molecules. It aims to provide a green alternative that reduces carbon emissions and improves safety.
Fliar Intelligence Index™ 19how this company ranks against its industry peers
Funding
top 29%Moat
top 48%Talent
bottom 49%Global
bottom 38%News
bottom 33%Market
bottom 23%Funding: Raised $21.9M across 5 rounds · 5 rounds over 5 yrs (1.0/yr) · Last round Series B (May 2026)
Moat: Editorial + unicorn rating 5/10 · 9 curated direct competitors tracked
Talent: 1 named leader on record · 1 C-suite/founder profile curated
Audience (LinkedIn): 4k LinkedIn followers
Funding rounds
- May 2026Series B$13M
- Jun 2024Series A$9.8M
- Aug 2022Series A$10.6M
- Feb 2021Seed$1.5M
Founders & team
Investors
HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS, Capricorn Partners, HELM, Hshyosungadvancedmaterials, DOE
#2
Series A · Memphis, Tennessee · founded 2016 · 4 employees$6Mraised▾
Series A · Memphis, Tennessee · founded 2016 · 4 employees
Manufacturer of high quality graphene flakes
Fliar Intelligence Index™ 48how this company ranks against its industry peers
Innovation
top 22%Patents
top 24%Talent
top 28%Growth
top 45%Moat
top 45%Funding
top 49%Innovation: 69 patents (top 32% of patent-holders) · 63 filings since 2022 vs 6 in 2017-21
Patents: 69 patents matched (strict assignee match) · 63 filings since 2022 vs 6 in 2017-21 · Latest publication 2026
Talent: 3 named leaders on record · 3 C-suite/founder profiles curated
Audience (LinkedIn): 2k LinkedIn followers
Funding rounds
- Apr 2025Series A$1.3M
- Oct 2023Series A$4.5M
- Jan 2023Seed$100K
- Aug 2022Seed$1.4M
Founders & team
Investors
Netcapital, NetCapital Systems, Keiretsu Forum
Tech stack
BootstrapFont AwesomeGoogle AnalyticsGsapHstsHttp/3
#3
Acquired · Knoxville, Tennessee · founded 2010$4.2Mraised▾
Acquired · Knoxville, Tennessee · founded 2010
MillenniTek is a manufacturer of advanced materials, specializing in technical ceramics for the nuclear power and defense industries. The company produces Boron Carbide neutron absorbers for use in nuclear reactors worldwide and is certified under an NQA-1 Quality Program. With expertise in machining and converting materials, MillenniTek provides high-temperature ceramic components for various applications.
Fliar Intelligence Index™ 29how this company ranks against its industry peers
Product
top 26%Funding
top 48%Innovation
bottom 49%Patents
bottom 48%Moat
bottom 42%Tech
bottom 31%Product: 12 distinct product lines · Company stage: Acquired
Funding: Raised $4.2M across 6 rounds · 6 rounds over 6 yrs (1.0/yr) · Last round Grant (prize money) (Apr 2025)
Innovation: 3 patents (top 93% of patent-holders) · 3 filings since 2022 vs 0 in 2017-21 · 12 product lines
Audience (LinkedIn): 702 LinkedIn followers
Hiring (LinkedIn): 4 hiring posts in 12 mo (public) · momentum +4 · hiring: Manufacturing Quality Manager, Quality Manager
Funding rounds
- Apr 2025Grant (prize money)$774.6K
- Jul 2023Grant (prize money)$256.4K
- Jun 2022Grant (prize money)$1.3M
- Feb 2021Grant (prize money)$206.4K
Investors
OSTI
Tech stack
WordpressMysqlPhpMetasliderDiviContact Form 7
#4
Acquired · Vonore, Tennessee · founded 2008 · 81 employees$122Mraised▾
Acquired · Vonore, Tennessee · founded 2008 · 81 employees
Producer and supplier of agricultural feed stocks, fibers and compostable products
LinkedIn Pulse recent public activity · Jul 2026
Audience: 5k LinkedIn followers
Founders & team
Investors
Windsail Capital Group, Coppermine Capital, Stairway Capital, DOE, OSTI, BAI Corporation
Tech stack
Apple Icloud MailBootstrapFlywheelGodaddyGsapJquery
#5
Funding Raised · Memphis, Tennessee · founded 2008 · 99 employees$779.4Kraised▾
Funding Raised · Memphis, Tennessee · founded 2008 · 99 employees
Over 70-years of Innovation in Sustainable Bio-based Chemistry with Bio-based Solvents and other Fine Chemicals like Furan and Furfural.
LinkedIn Pulse recent public activity · Jul 2026
Audience: 2k LinkedIn followers
Funding rounds
- May 2021Grant (prize money)$779.4K
Investors
Europa
Tech stack
WordpressMysqlPhpDraftpress HfcmDiviYoast Seo
#6
Funding Raised · Knoxville, Tennessee · founded 2019$256Kraised▾
Funding Raised · Knoxville, Tennessee · founded 2019
Manufacturer of carbon fiber and composite prototypes
LinkedIn Pulse recent public activity · Jul 2026
Audience: 1k LinkedIn followers · 34 engagements/post (2.0× cohort median)
Funding rounds
- Aug 2022Grant (prize money)$256K
Founders & team
Investors
National Science Foundation, MassChallenge, FedTech
#7
Early Stage · Chattanooga, Tennessee · founded 1996$400Kraised▾
Early Stage · Chattanooga, Tennessee · founded 1996
Manufacturer of drilling polymers & fluids and mineral coring
Funding rounds
- Sep 2010Unattributed$400K
Founders & team
Tech stack
Apache Http ServerCdnjsCloudflareContact Form 7FancyboxGodaddy
#8
Public · Kingsport, Tennessee · founded 1920 · 14000 employees—raised▾
Public · Kingsport, Tennessee · founded 1920 · 14000 employees
In 2022, the company recorded annual revenues of $10.58B and a net profit of $0.79B.
LinkedIn Pulse recent public activity · Jul 2026
Audience: 228k LinkedIn followers — 59.8% of this cohort's audience · 105 engagements/post (6.0× cohort median)
Founders & team
Investors
OSTI, CVC, Bain Capital Private Equity
Tech stack
Adobe AnalyticsAdobe Audience ManagerAdobe Client Data LayerAdobe Experience ManagerAdobe Experience Platform Identity ServiceAdobe Experience Platform Launch
Funding & investor landscape
$155.4Mtotal disclosed funding
7companies funded
18disclosed rounds
1rounds last 90 days
Most active investors
Notable founders
Corey Tyree
Founder & CEO · Trillium Renewable Chemicals
Bradley Larschan
Co-Founder & CEO · Avadain Technology
Ericka Wojack
Co-Founder · Avadain Technology
Kelly Tiller
CEO & President · Genera Energy
Hicham Ghossein
Founder & Chief Executive Officer · Endeavor Composites
Ken Brownfield
Owner · KB International
Kenneth Goodhue
Owner · KB International
George Eastman
Founder · Eastman
Mark Costa
Chairman and CEO · Eastman
Prism market signals · United States · country-scoped Prism corpus, 774,205 docs
Market landscape — 10 sub-themes by coverage
Share of Chemicals and Materials coverage by sub-theme.
Regulatory-risk over time rising
Funding & growth over time
funding rising · growth rising
RESEARCH SIGNALS · United States
How research on Advanced Materials is moving in the United States
A read on the academic research around Advanced Materials — which themes are gaining ground, the institutions and researchers driving them, and how the tone is shifting. Based on 1,306 United States-affiliated papers.
research sentiment over time
200820172026
enthusiastic · positive · guarded tone
Tone is overwhelmingly optimistic and intensifying — the enthusiastic (strongly-positive) share moved 46% → 87% across 2008–2026.
top research entities
- Georgia Institute of Technology46
- Purdue University West Lafayette46
- North Carolina State University39
- Northeastern University36
- Texas A&M University34
leading researchers
Gangbing Song · Antonella D’Alessandro · Marcelo J. Dapino · H. Jerry Qi · Hari Krishna Bisoyi · Simon Laflamme · Jeong‐Hoi Koo · Timothy J. White
▲
Breakthroughs541 · 41%
▲ 30%→51% share
▲1.7× share momentum6 median citations56% since 2021mostly methods-led
Soft robotics research is surging — U.S. papers grew 9x (4->36), driving breakthroughs segment's share from 30% to 51%.
rising sub-themes (early→recent)
- Smart material61→108
- Soft robotics4→36
- Morphing8→35
- Nanotechnology19→46
- Elastomer18→41
Newly emergingScalability 0→7 · Photopolymer 0→7 · Cellulose 0→7
Landmark Multimaterial 4D Printing with Tailorable Shape Memory Polymers · 1,085 cites
◆
Advancements508 · 39%
▼ 51%→31% share
▼0.6× share momentum6 median citations36% since 2021mostly methods-led
Liquid crystal fabrication advancements are intensifying — papers tripled (3->10) alongside 3D printing doubling across U.S. institutions.
rising sub-themes (early→recent)
- Nanotechnology12→29
- Soft robotics2→13
- Fabrication4→12
- Liquid crystal3→10
- 3D printing6→12
Newly emergingPolyvinylidene fluoride 0→5 · Biocompatible material 0→5 · Deformation (meteorology) 0→5
Landmark A review of stimuli-responsive shape memory polymer composites · 1,147 cites
▼
Concerns71 · 5%
▲ 5%→6% share
▲1.2× share momentum11 median citations51% since 2021mostly reviews
Textile emerges as a newly flagged concern in advanced materials, joining rising smart material safety issues (10->18 papers).
rising sub-themes (early→recent)
- Smart material10→18
- Nanotechnology7→9
- Shape-memory alloy2→4
Newly emergingTextile 0→6
Landmark Covalent adaptable networks: smart, reconfigurable and responsive network systems · 1,275 cites
RESEARCH HOTSPOTS · United States
Where advanced materials is researched across United States
Location clusters by institution affiliation — each city's volume, stance tone, and a quick read on its hot topic, what's advancing, the opening opportunity, and the main concern.
Boston81 · +0.59
Atlanta47 · +0.63
Los Angeles34 · +0.64
Philadelphia32 · +0.57
SF Bay Area31 · +0.59
Pittsburgh30 · +0.64
Chicago27 · +0.66
New York24 · +0.55
Ann Arbor19 · +0.74
San Diego14 · +0.62
PATENT SIGNAL · United States
Who's filing advanced materials patents in the United States
United States advanced materials patent filing is cooling — 88,582 filings from 8,000 assignees (2016–2025), led by IBM, General Electric, Halliburton Energy Services; annual filings 9852→6833.
88,582 filings8,000 assigneespeak 9998/yr2016–2025
filing momentum (YoY 2016–2025)
top patent filers
- IBM5882
- General Electric4499
- Halliburton Energy Services3870
- Intel3637
- UNIV California3345
- 3M Innovative Properties3297
- Corning3138
- United States Gypsum2668
Common questions
How many Chemicals and Materials companies are there in Tennessee, United States?
Radar tracks 58 indexable Chemicals and Materials companies headquartered in Tennessee, United States that meet our profile-completeness bar.
What is the total funding raised by Chemicals and Materials companies in Tennessee, United States?
The Chemicals and Materials companies in Tennessee, United States on this list have raised a combined $155.4M in disclosed equity funding across 7 funded companies.
Which is the highest-funded Chemicals and Materials company in Tennessee, United States?
Genera Energy is the highest-funded Chemicals and Materials company in Tennessee, United States, with $122M in disclosed equity funding.
How many Chemicals and Materials companies in Tennessee, United States are funded?
7 of the 58 Chemicals and Materials companies in Tennessee, United States on this list have disclosed at least one equity funding round.
How many Chemicals and Materials unicorns are there in Tennessee, United States?
None of the Chemicals and Materials companies in Tennessee, United States on this list currently has a disclosed valuation of $1B or more.
Who are the top investors in Tennessee, United States Chemicals and Materials companies?
The most active investors in Tennessee, United States Chemicals and Materials companies on this list include OSTI, DOE, BAI Corporation, Bain Capital Private Equity, Black Forest Ventures.
Riya SenguptaFinancials
Riya reads income statements for fun. She covers the real money in a sector — revenue, growth, who actually earns — and never met a vague claim she didn't want a number for.