Latest news with #JennaBratcher
Style Blueprint
10-07-2025
- Business
- Style Blueprint
Meet WiNK Therapeutics, Winner of Sloss.Tech's First Pitch-Off
Share with your friends! Pinterest LinkedIn Email Flipboard Reddit At this year's Sloss Tech Conference in Birmingham (a three-day celebration of tech, tenacity, and big ideas), WiNK Therapeutics emerged as the Grand Prize winner of the inaugural Southeast Pitch Competition. The Florida-based biotech startup walked away with $50,000 in funding and some serious bragging rights! Pin Backed by a grant from the Regions Foundation, the pitch competition was a centerpiece of the expanded Sloss Tech event, which took over Birmingham's historic theatre district from June 25 through 27. The competition spotlighted startups that launched after January 2020 and raised less than $5 million, offering a unique platform for early-stage companies ready to scale. WiNK Therapeutics, co-founded by Dr. Warren Marcus and headquartered in Miramar, Florida, impressed judges with its pioneering work on RNA aptamer technology — science-speak for a next-gen platform that could potentially revolutionize treatment for Type 1 Diabetes and solid tumors. Their pitch, focused on turning bold research into life-saving therapies, stood out among 16 finalists from across the Southeastern U.S. 'We're honored to be recognized by such an inspiring community of innovators,' says Dr. Marcus. 'This funding gives us a vital boost in our mission to develop treatments that can really make a difference.' Pin While WiNK took home the top prize, several other startups earned recognition, too. Atlanta-based HERide won the $10,000 People's Choice Award for its women-first rideshare platform that prioritizes safety and empowerment by connecting female riders with female drivers. HERide also took home a $5,000 category award in Mobility and Transportation Technology, making it a double winner. In the Agtech and Foodtech category, Atlanta's Good Agriculture impressed with its AI-powered farm management tool, which is designed to help farmers spend less time on paperwork and more time in the field. WiNK Therapeutics, already crowned the overall winner, also earned top honors in the Healthtech and Biotech category (because apparently, being brilliant in one lane just wasn't enough!) Rounding out the list was Giggs from Nashville, which won in the Emerging Tech category for its platform that connects vetted backstage professionals with live event gigs, bringing order and opportunity to the chaos behind the curtain. Pin Thanks to support from the Regions Foundation, is quickly becoming a launchpad for rising tech stars across Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and beyond. Whether it's curing diseases, making farming smarter, or revolutionizing how we get around, the Southeast's startup scene is showing it's got plenty of ideas and the talent to bring them to life. ********** Discover even more Southern stories worth sharing. Follow us on Instagram! About the Author Jenna Bratcher Jenna Bratcher is StyleBlueprint Nashville's Associate Editor and Lead Writer. The East Coast native moved to Nashville 17 years ago, by way of Los Angeles. She is a lover of dogs, strong coffee, traveling, and exploring the local restaurant scene bite by bite.
Style Blueprint
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Style Blueprint
Get Ready, Nashville Pride 2025 is Here!
Share with your friends! Pinterest LinkedIn Email Flipboard Reddit Forget subtle. Nashville is turning up the volume in June, rolling out the pink carpet for Nashville Pride Month. Whether you're here for the music, the marches, the drag, or just a well-timed excuse to wear sequins and all things glittery, there's something for everyone! Pin Things kicked off on May 30 with Bath & Body, Nashville's Pride Rooftop Pool Party at Virgin Hotels. Think sun, beats, poolside drinks, and a performance from Shea Couleé. But that was just the beginning. The June calendar is stacked, and we're here for it. Check out the third annual Pride Deadlift Party on June 7, which combines lifting heavy things with lifting spirits. Whether you're benching 200 pounds or just holding up your emotional support iced coffee, it's all about strength and solidarity. Then on June 13, it's time for Turnabout, where Nashville Pride board members ditch their day jobs and step into heels for a night of charity drag at Play Dance Bar. (Spoiler: some of them are really good. Others are just supremely brave. We love both.) Not to be outdone, the Nashville Pride Pageant struts in on June 15, with a theme inspired by ancient Egypt … Because nothing says 'divine and powerful' like channeling Cleopatra in rhinestones. Feeling introspective? Spirituality Night on June 18 offers a quiet moment to reflect and reconnect before the main event roars to life at the end of the month. Mark your calendar for June 27, when Grammy-winning pop phenom Kim Petras headlines the Friday Night Concert at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. She'll be joined by Estelle (of 'American Boy' fame), Empress Of, and Kylie Sonique Love. Pin Then comes the Pride Parade on Saturday, June 28, with more than 140 entries, music, floats, and rainbows galore. Grand Marshals include power couple Glennon Doyle and Abby Wambach, plus singer-songwriter Joy Oladokun. The weekend festival (June 28 and 29) features a lineup that reads like your most colorful playlist: Big Freedia with Nashville in Harmony, 4 Non Blondes' Linda Perry, Jake Wesley Rogers, The Knocks & Dragonette, GAYLE, and more. Add in over 50 drag performances, three stages, food trucks, cocktails, art installations, and a vendor market, and you've got something for every flavor of fabulous. Think that's all? Think again. Saturday night keeps the party going with the Pink Pony Pride After Party hosted by the incomparable Willam at Play Dance Bar. So, dust off your boots (or heels), grab your favorite flag, and get ready to show up and show out. Whether you're marching, dancing, lifting, singing, or just soaking it all in, Nashville Pride is here to ensure everyone feels seen, celebrated, and completely at home. For the full schedule and tickets, visit ********** Discover more amazing Southern people and places. Follow us on Instagram! About the Author Jenna Bratcher Jenna Bratcher is StyleBlueprint Nashville's Associate Editor and Lead Writer. The East Coast native moved to Nashville 17 years ago, by way of Los Angeles. She is a lover of dogs, strong coffee, traveling, and exploring the local restaurant scene bite by bite.
Style Blueprint
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Style Blueprint
The Red Wheel at The Factory at Franklin Has a New Concert Series!
Share with your friends! Pinterest LinkedIn Email Flipboard Reddit Franklin is turning up the charm (and the volume) this summer with a new twist on live music. Say hello to The Red Wheel at The Factory, a songwriter series that's part concert, part history lesson, and entirely unforgettable. Hosted at The Factory at Franklin, this in-the-round showcase brings some of the region's most iconic songwriters straight into the spotlight and closer to your table than ever. Pin Think of it as Nashville's most talented musical minds, unfiltered and unplugged, telling the stories behind their hits … only instead of stadium lights and pyrotechnics, you'll find vintage-industrial vibes, tasty cheese boards, and a bourbon cocktail with your name on it. So, why the name The Red Wheel? It's a clever nod to The Factory's former life. Back in the day, the building cranked out Magic Chef appliances, including a signature red oven dial known for its precision. That same spirit of fine-tuned craftsmanship now lives on through this fun songwriting series. And forget nosebleed seats — we're talking an intimate venue here. There are only 200 coveted spots per show, and every one feels like you're in the front row. The Red Wheel's reimagined setup puts artists and audiences face-to-face in a cozy, conversational setting. Whether you're soaking in sweet bluegrass on a Thursday or getting your soul stirred by Sunday gospel, this is music at its most raw and real. Performances will run four days a week from June 13 through July 5. Each Thursday at 7 p.m., the spotlight turns to bluegrass, while Fridays and Saturdays feature two showtimes — 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. — highlighting a rich blend of country, folk, and Americana. Sundays offer a soulful close to the weekend with gospel performances beginning at 2 p.m. Oh, and while you're basking in musical genius, don't worry about missing the show while you grab a snack. Premium table service, curated nibbles from Greys Fine Cheeses, and pours from Nashville Barrel Co. ensure your senses are equally spoiled. Pin The inaugural roster is stacked. We're talking chart-toppers and tear-jerkers from the minds behind some of your favorite songs, like Rhett Akins (Blake Shelton's 'Boys' Round Here'), Carolyn Dawn Johnson (Keith Urban's 'Golden Road'), Tony Arata (Garth Brooks' 'The Dance'), and American Idol-winner Trent Harmon. And yes, you can expect surprise guests, too! Tickets are already on sale, and local heroes (including teachers, first responders, and military members) can also snag special discounts. Whether you're a die-hard music buff or just someone who enjoys a good tune and a great cocktail, The Red Wheel is your backstage pass. And in true Franklin fashion, it's wrapped in charm, served with cheese, and poured over ice. For tickets and more info, visit ********** Discover even more Southern stories worth sharing. Follow us on Instagram! About the Author Jenna Bratcher Jenna Bratcher is StyleBlueprint Nashville's Associate Editor and Lead Writer. The East Coast native moved to Nashville 17 years ago, by way of Los Angeles. She is a lover of dogs, strong coffee, traveling, and exploring the local restaurant scene bite by bite.
