STARTUP FINALISTS
Ojas
Elam Freeman
Ojas is a boutique commercial real estate advisory firm that helps shape neighborhoods by intentionally leasing and merchandising ground-up and adaptive reuse mixed-use developments with the community in mind. They assist homegrown brands with their own expansion and take an active role in Nashville’s growth and future while keeping its character and soul at the forefront of their work.
RECENT MILESTONES
- Since inception in 2020, Ojas has grown from 1 to 17 team members, with an eightfold increase in revenue over four years
- The firm has completed over 350 transactions since inception
- More than half of the businesses Ojas has worked with are local, amounting to $450,000,000 in deal volume
A NOTE FROM THE FOUNDER
“My heart had been telling me to start something for a while, but my head got in the way until I had some downtime due to COVID and forced reflection. When I started Ojas, I mostly saw it as a means to help fill some gaps in the Nashville market and bring my experience to the table. Looking ahead, I hope we’ll play an active role in Nashville’s sustained growth, character, and vitality.” – Elam Freeman
Populace Community Strategy
Dominique Anderson
Populace Community Strategy is a social venture dedicated to creating safe, resilient, and affordable communities by consulting with real estate developments, municipalities, and nonprofits. The firm also hosts programs like “Aspire to Develop” and “Next Gen Cities” to equip young people with the skills and knowledge to address community challenges, foster entrepreneurship, and create sustainable, inclusive neighborhoods.
RECENT MILESTONES
- Introduced a series of guides and ebooks for emerging and small-scale real estate developers
- Launched “Aspire to Develop” and “Next Gen Cities” programs
- Consulted on community-improving real estate across three cities
- Helped developers connect and initiate projects in Memphis, TN
A NOTE FROM THE FOUNDER
“My grandfather, Selles Fines Peaks, was a brick mason, who built many key buildings, as well as a house for his wife and only child, in Nashville. Between Nashville’s drive to be the next “it city” and rapid gentrification, the buildings and the house are gone. My passion to empower people and build thriving communities stems from the lost Nashville, and other communities like it, that can return to inclusive, resilient cities.” – Dominique Anderson
Urban Campus & Core, LLC
Jennifer Horne
Urban Campus and Core (UCC) is a real estate development and advisory firm dedicated to collaborative development to optimize underutilized assets while driving equitable economic growth. The firm creates mixed-income housing communities in partnership with institutional landowners, helping them maximize their investments while perpetuating their missions.
RECENT MILESTONES
- Secured a public-private partnership with The Clear Blue Company and Born Again Church to create 254 units of active senior housing for the Northview Community
- The firm has 457 units of mixed-income, missing-middle housing under development to create generational wealth for diverse landowners
- Developed a pipeline of over 1,200 units of attainable housing through public-private partnerships
A NOTE FROM THE FOUNDER
“I started Urban Campus and Core to give the community an active seat at the table in development. There are generations of landowners in communities that have a vested interest in the growth and development of their neighborhoods, but are often unable to participate in development based on net worth. I wanted to structure opportunities for more equitable development that not only let diverse voices shape new development but share in the returns.” – Jennifer Horne
GROWTH FINALISTS
Eshelman Construction
Andrew Eshelman
Eshelman Construction, founded in 2016 in Nashville, specializes in new construction, interior build-outs, renovations, and tenant improvements. The firm is renowned for delivering high-quality, on-time, and budget-friendly projects, including adaptive reuse, historic restoration, offices, restaurants, and affordable housing. The team brings decades of experience in construction to Nashville, focusing on building lasting relationships and ensuring project success from concept to completion.
RECENT MILESTONES
- Achieved a 100% increase in revenue from 2022 to 2023
- Moved into multifamily/affordable housing projects for new urban developments, including Trinity Lofts, a 114-unit motel conversion and affordable housing project in West Trinity/Brick Church neighborhood of North Nashville
- Brought on three new team members in the last 18 months who collectively have 50 years of construction experience in Nashville
A NOTE FROM THE FOUNDER
“I started Eshelman Construction after returning to my hometown in 2014 and witnessing Nashville’s explosive growth. My background in finance, economics, and commercial construction, as well as managing multi-million-dollar contracts, inspired me to create a company that delivers high-quality construction projects with a focus on fostering relationships. As Nashville continues to grow, my goal is to be a part of community-oriented projects that benefit all Nashvillians, not just tourists.” – Andrew Eshelman
Grade A Construction, LLC
Rachelle Reigard, Lance Lanno, and John Hayman
Grade A Construction, LLC specializes in complete sitework packages. From the ground down, they have it covered—they clear, strip, blast, level, and fill so that construction can begin right away. Since 2013, their resume of completed projects has built a reputation for excellence and reliability within the Middle TN market. They are committed to adding value to the client’s bottom line by completing every project safely, on time, and on budget—every time.
RECENT MILESTONES
- Named by the Nashville Business Journal as one of the fastest-growing companies in Middle TN, earning the title of a Fast 50 company in 2024
- Certified in 2024 as a Best Healthy Workplace, after an engagement survey conducted by Best Workplace Institute in 2024
- Grew in revenue by 46% in the last two years
- Featured nationally as a loyal partner with Ford and introduced the first fleet of electric trucks to Middle TN
A NOTE FROM THE FOUNDERS
“I was inspired to launch my company when I was at a crossroads in my career and stumbled upon a great need in Nashville for sitework. It was a rough start because we had to start from scratch with nothing but our hope, but the market was wide open and waiting. While I was looking for something different, I was lured by the dream and inspiration of a brighter Nashville. We want to build that Nashville for you!” – Rachelle Reigard
Sagemont
Jeremiah Pyron, Trent Yates, and Stephen Songy
Sagemont is a full-service commercial real estate advisory firm supporting owners and occupants with a tech-enabled approach to healthcare, office, and retail real estate. The firm is known for its thoughtful, caring team that focuses on others first, which translates to a different approach in the commercial real estate brokerage world where people feel taken care of, not just another number in a busy world.
RECENT MILESTONES
- Grown the company to a team of 12 individuals, offering full-service real estate solutions including advisory, brokerage, project management, and property management
- Closed deals with an aggregate value in excess of $500 million since its launch
- Developed a market-leading, tech-enabled leasing platform, managing the marketing of healthcare, retail, and office space for building owners totaling over 1 million square feet
A NOTE FROM THE CO-FOUNDER
“We saw a gap in the commercial real estate brokerage market for a service with high tech, high touch, and a customized approach to each client where we think like an owner, whether it’s a business owner or a building owner.” – Stephen Songy
