Half of Tennessee startups fail within 5 years

Nearly half of new Tennessee businesses don't make it to their fifth year, per the latest federal data.

By the numbers: The five-year survival rate for new businesses in the Volunteer State is 52%. That is roughly even with the national figure.

How it works: The latest available U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data tracks businesses that opened in the year ending March 2019 and remained open as of March 2024.

The latest: The state launched a program this year to help businesses prepare for one dangerous variable.

• The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency's ReadyTN Business initiative helps companies assess risks and plan for disasters.