Nashville’s startup scene is booming with health-tech founders

• Nashville, known for its country music and Southern charm, is also home to a booming health-tech startup scene.
• The city has a rich history with health care that experts say makes it uniquely suited for innovation in the industry.
• CNBC spoke with a dozen founders, investors and executives in Nashville who described a tight-knit, supportive community that’s growing larger by the day. 

On a flight from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Nashville, Tennessee, earlier this month, 36-year-old Robin Shah settled into his seat and prepared to crank out some work for his health-tech startup, Thyme Care. 

Founded in 2020, Thyme Care helps cancer patients manage their disease by connecting them with the personalized care and resources they need. Shah, the co-founder and CEO, sports a purple Thyme Care sticker on his water bottle, and it caught the eye of the venture capitalist sitting next to him on the plane.

The VC recognized Shah’s company — an occurrence that is hardly unusual for him anymore. As more investors and founders are flocking to explore Nashville’s booming health-care and technology scene, Shah said he gets recognized regularly. Sometimes people know his first and last names. 

“It happens probably every two or three flights,” Shah told CNBC in an interview.