Pass It Down Receives Chattanooga Chamber Spirit of Innovation Award


(Oct. 20, 2017) – The Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce presented the 2017 Spirit of Innovation Award today to storytelling platform Pass It Down.

“Thank you to the Chamber for this opportunity,” said Chris Cummings. “Thank you to this city. My wife and I moved here two years ago and we feel embraced and at home here because Chattanooga welcomed us with open arms and made it easy to start a company.”

Pass It Down is a digital biography service that preserves family memories. The service includes story prompts that can be answered in video, audio, text or photo from a phone, tablet or computer. These digital stories then become a customized print book. Pass It Down’s greetingStory Memory Boxes include hand-selected questions from the world's top biographers with tips and instructions on the inside to guide friends and family in sharing their stories.

In his acceptance speech, Cummings also unveiled an effort to corral memories about a city or place, to be piloted in Chattanooga.

Silicon Valley native Leslie Miley keynoted the Spirit of Innovation luncheon.

“Don’t let the speed of something get in the way,” Miley said. “Building a city takes time. Be attentive, go slow, be inclusive. We do better when we work together. As long as you’re doing that, you’re doing the right thing.”

Miley has worked in engineering leadership roles at Slack, Twitter, Apple and Google, and now works with Venture for America to enable Silicon Valley tech professionals to spend a year in other cities such as Baltimore, Cleveland, Denver, Detroit, Miami, Nashville, New Orleans or Philadelphia, working with venture capitalists and innovation centers or districts on growing their respective tech communities.

Spirit of Innovation also honored award finalists Society of Work and The Tomorrow Building apartments, culminating Startup Week by celebrating our region’s most innovative companies.

Other Topics

Adam Myers will serve as Vice President, Economic Development, Charles Wood, President and CEO, Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, has announced. "Adam’s decade-plus of experience in both the public and private sectors and a strong track record in economic development…

In Chattanooga - this bustling city where entrepreneurs are a driving force - veterans own fewer than 10% of businesses. However, through local university programs and Chattanooga-area company support, veteran entrepreneurs are equipping themselves with more essential tools and better…

This week in Chattanooga, government officials, industry leaders, and experts convened at the Tennessee Economic Development Conference, GovCon23, to discuss various aspects of economic development in the state. One of the highlights of the event was the Commissioner's Luncheon, where…

While many companies offer fitness reimbursements or discounts, some local companies go the extra mile by providing on-site exercise facilities. Engaging in physical activity produces many benefits that extend into the workday, including improved mental and physical well-being, reduced absenteeism…

Last week the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the Lookout Counseling Association and Chattanooga State Community College, hosted the annual College and Career Fair for local high school seniors.   The event is a unique opportunity for students…

The Chattanooga Chamber has announced that Jesse Branum will serve as Director of Accounting. "Jesse’s resourcefulness combined with over a decade of experience in financial management and exceptional team leadership will greatly contribute to the Chamber’s financial excellence,” Yolonda Hayslett, MBA,…

Sign up for weekly updates.