Bio

Heath Guinn is an entrepreneur, investor, and social impact leader focused on driving economic development through innovation and entrepreneurship. Based in Tennessee, he has played a key role in fostering a thriving startup ecosystem, securing millions in capital for entrepreneurs and for ecosystem partner organizations, and launching ventures that support rural innovation and business growth.

Guinn founded Sync Space, a nonprofit organization and partner with Tennessee’s LaunchTN Network, which leads regional entrepreneurial ecosystem and innovation programs. Alongside ETSU Research Corporation, Guinn also leads Northeast Tennessee’s only Startup Accelerator and serves as the CEO of Accelerate Appalachia, an initiative driving innovation investment, talent recruitment, and access to capital for regional entrepreneurs, including the recent announcement of the Appalachian Highlands first venture fund, Catalyze Capital.

Guinn is ETSU alumni and a member of the Distinguished President’s Trust. Guinn also is a member of Leadership Tennessee and the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Leadership Institute (ALI) where he advocates for Appalachian leadership and social impact. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, scuba diving, and snowboarding.