ConsensusPoint

Nashville-based Consensus Point LLC, a provider of prediction market software and services, announced the 6th generation of its Foresight on Demand platform. The company cites favorable reception from an executive with Best Buy.

Sitel gains $10MM contract

Nashville-based Sitel, the contact-center operator, said this morning it has landed a $10MM contract with a client the company did not identify, resulting in additional business for Sitel's Philippines customer-care center.

e-Zigs? Smokeless venture claims progress

In Nashville, a couple of Euro entrepreneurs (left) are persevering, it seems, in their quest to launch a smokeless electronic 'cigarette' into the voluminous global market of smokers. And, they're looking for capital. Here's the story.

Dell Inc. gives in Tennessee

Dell Inc. announced about $200K in grants to four nonprofits in Nashville and Memphis: Nashville Public Television, Oasis Center, Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee and Memphis-based Youth Villages. The grants program is concentrated in cities with Dell facilities.

Nashville R&D Park?

Keith Gregg of JRG Ventures is spreading the word about an incipient Sci-Tech park for Nashville that could rival similar campuses in Alabama, North Carolina and elsewhere. Gregg told us months ago he'd like to see something done in that category, and there's some evidence our post on IP lawyer Jack Waddey's fervent comments may have sparked renewed interest in such things. Well, it's fun thinking that, anyway.

Bart Gordon retains Science leadership

It should be good news for Middle Tennessee and the nation that U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon (D-6), at left, was on Nov. 20 re-elected as chairman of the U.S. House Science and Technology Committee, which he has chaired the past two years. The committee earlier this year observed its 50th Anniversary, but has perhaps never been more important to the nation than during the present crisis. Gordon said in a statement after his reelection, in part, "...there is much more work to be done, especially in light of our country’s current economic problems. The major challenges facing our country -- a foundering economy, a changing climate, a growing need for clean energy we produce at home -- will be solved by science, technology, and American innovation. It’s more important than ever that we are looking at how we can grow new sectors of the U.S. economy and ensure our long-term competitiveness.” His committee members will be announced in January 2009. Among other initiatives, Rep. Gordon's challenge three years ago resulted in the creation of the Mind2Marketplace initiative. Gordon, 59, is a lifelong resident of Murfreesboro, a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University (1971) and the UT College of Law (1973).

'Nashville Overground' tech community idea

Whew! Yesterday's Nashville Overground article stirred some discussion, including some applause for Alex Lavidge (left), and some concern about someone 'not from here' possibly taking the lead in creating a coworking environment in Music City. Comments, Anyone? Anyone?

TTDC names chairman to succeed Marcum

Venture Nashville reports this morning on the appointment of Bill Evans (at left), who is CEO at St. Jude's in Memphis, to the chairmanship of the board of Tennessee Technology Development Corporation. Evans takes the reins from Dan Marcum, founder of Marcum Capital in Tullahoma. A specialist in the field of pharmacogenomics, Evans will work with TTDC CEO Eric Cromwell in leading the state's push to expand the knowledge-intensive, high-growth sector of the state's economy. The full story is here.

Tennessee ranks in Tech Trade globally

According to a report released today by the American Electronics Association (AeA), Tennessee ranked 10th in overall high-tech exports, with $4.8 billion in value, up $300 million over 2006. The state trailed, in rank-order: California, Texas, Florida, New York, Massachusetts, Arizona, Illinois, Oregon, Minnesota. Tennessee was the nation's second-largest exporter of electromedical equipment, ranking behind only California with $1.6 billion in exports in the sector, about half of California's sector total. Read more, right here.

Should NV adopt Wall St. tossed execs for Startups here?

Absolutely one of the most interesting reads is underway at several venues regarding how smart it might be to hire some of the 'best and brightest' left homeless by the Big Apple-centered financial meltdown. Some Nashville tech execs and VCs complain we need a deeper gene pool here. Some well-intentioned bloggers are encouraging the migration of talent from the financial sector to relocate tri-coastally. At these sites you can read the often biting -- No, make that "acid" comments, and some sympathy from tech and other execs on this brainstorm. Is this really a wrongheaded strategy for ruining not only Silicon Valley, but the emerging NVTN tech community? Lots of comments at The New York Times. More details at Startuply.com, LeaveWallStreetJoinAStartup.com and AVC.com. Penny for your thoughts.