KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (September 16, 2025) – Hundreds of investors, entrepreneurs, business leaders and students gathered today at Bridgewater Place in West Knoxville for the Innov865 Alliance’s signature 865 Fest.
865 Fest (formerly Startup Day) featured pitch competitions, keynote speakers, panel discussions and breakout sessions designed to spark ideas, foster collaboration, and celebrate innovation.
The Innov865 Alliance selected six startup companies that reflect Knoxville’s diverse talent, including AluminAiry, Unified Track, TeachCraft, Modern Working Moms, Witching Hour, and LaborUp, and four emerging entrepreneurs, Dr. Harish Manyam, Omniasis, Gustavo Alvarez-Suchini, DataRook, Jeremiah Vecchioni, World’s Fair Furnishing Company, and Katy Daniels, Henry BnB, to pitch in front of a live audience and panel of judges for cash prizes totalling $18,000.
During the event, Lance Adler, founder of Witching Hour, received the $10,000 Judges’ Choice Award. Attendees voted for Joel Smith, founder & CEO of TeachCraft, to take home the Crowd Favorite cash prize of $5,000. Both awards were presented by the Innov865 Alliance.
Judges’ Choice Award
Witching Hour prevents power companies from starting wildfires by insulating live power lines using advanced materials and robotics. Roughly 50% of the wildfire destruction in the U.S. comes from power companies – mostly from overhead wires touching trees. Power companies desperately want to reduce their wildfire risk, because they are financially responsible for the fires they start (sometimes paying tens of billions in damages). Existing methods to lower wildfire risk include (1) burying power lines and (2) rebuilding infrastructure with heavily insulated wire – these cost millions per mile and take years to implement. Witching Hour uses a robotic system to install an advanced material over existing power lines, eliminating the costly rebuild process. Its service is up to 95% cheaper and 100x faster than putting power lines underground.
Crowd Favorite Award
TeachCraft uses the latest technologies to elevate the craft of teaching. The TeachCraft platform partners with educators to design learning experiences that are locally relevant, standards-aligned, and deeply engaging. Built in close collaboration with teachers, TeachCraft honors the human artistry of education while breaking down the barriers to high-quality project-based instruction. TeachCraft believes that when educators have the right tools and support, they can spark transformative change by igniting student curiosity, strengthening communities, and renewing their passion for the profession.
For the second year, 865 Fest featured an emerging entrepreneur pitch competition for students and new graduates, organized by the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The judges selected Katy Daniels, founder of The Henry BnB, as the winner of the $3,000 Emerging Entrepreneur cash prize.
Emerging Entrepreneur Winner
“This year’s selection of startups that pitched at 865 Fest was truly an outstanding pool,” said Robyn Geron, Innov865 Alliance member and Director of Operations and Engagement, Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. “We are pleased to present the Judges’ Choice Award to Witching Hour and applaud the founder’s innovation and contributions to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in our region. And a huge congratulations goes to TeachCraft for receiving the Crowd Favorite Award, and The Henry BnB for winning the Emerging Entrepreneur pitch competition. We are excited to see how these three startups flourish in the next few years.”
In addition to the pitch competitions, AXLE Logistics awarded the Traction Award to Lirio. The award recognizes a Startup Day alum who has established significant traction since participating in Startup Day. Lirio uses artificial intelligence and behavioral science to hyper-personalize healthcare consumer experiences to empower people to live their healthiest lives.
“We’re honored to present this year’s 865 Fest Traction Award to Lirio,” said Ali Fraley, Vice President of Learning & Development at Axle Logistics. “Lirio is a shining example of how Tennessee is leading the way in AI-powered healthcare innovation. The company has positively impacted over 1.1 million lives—encouraging individuals to take life-saving actions like scheduling mammograms and supporting better management of chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. As Lirio continues to scale both nationally and internationally, it’s incredible to witness the momentum and meaningful progress they’re making.”
The rebranded 865 Fest included a full day of programming, featuring special guests such as City of Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon and keynote speakers Jordan Harper, NP, Founder and CEO of Barefaced, and Mark Pancratz, Founding Partner and Private Wealth Advisor of Axiom Wealth Management.
The event also featured two panels—one presented by Visit Knoxville focused on the business behind Knoxville’s multipurpose Covenant Health Park, and another presented by Three Roots Capital and Carrasco | Trump focused on opportunities for collaboration and innovation between startups and established corporations.
ABOUT 865 FEST & THE INNOV865 ALLIANCE
865 Fest is a full-day entrepreneurial event hosting visionary keynotes, premier pitch competitions, thought-provoking panels, and much more to explore how big ideas move from concept to reality. It is presented by the Innov865 Alliance, a coalition that develops, supports, and promotes the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Founding members of the Innov865 Alliance include the University of Tennessee Research Foundation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, PYA, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Three Roots Capital, Tennessee Valley Authority, Launch Tennessee, Knoxville Chamber, Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, UT Research Park at Cherokee Farm and the City of Knoxville. To learn more, visit innov865.com.