Founders’ Forum event welcomes fellows for the 2024 Innovation Crossroads cohort

A group of people gathered in a casual restaurant setting, seated around several tables while attentively listening to a speaker standing to the right. The speaker is wearing a gray shirt and khaki pants, gesturing with both hands as they address the audience. The atmosphere is relaxed, with a variety of drinks and menus on the tables, and the backdrop features large, illuminated beer tanks behind glass windows. The overall mood appears engaged and informal, suggesting a collaborative or networking event.

Six of the seven innovators selected for the 2024 Innovation Crossroads cohort at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) spent Thursday afternoon with ecosystem partners at Smoky Mountain Brewery in Turkey Creek. The Founders’ Forum event is a monthly informal gathering where entrepreneurs can hear talks, learn lessons, and participate in Q&A sessions with program alumni, community members, and experienced startup founders.