8:30 am – 9:00 am: Registration + Networking
Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m ET. Light breakfast and coffee will be provided!
Agenda
9:05 am – 9:10 am: Meet the Hosts
Hosts
Katelyn Biefeldt
PYA | teknovation.biz
Chris McAdoo
Spark Innovation Center
9:10 am – 9:25 am: Welcoming Remarks
Speaker
Mayor Indya Kincannon
City of Knoxville
9:25 am – 9:55 am: Quantum Momentum: Powering the Region's Innovation Economy
Presented by Three Roots Capital
With the launch of the Knoxville Quantum Accelerator, or K-Quantum, and growing momentum around the Maplehurst Innovation District, East Tennessee is positioned to advance quantum technologies and propel the region’s innovation economy. Moderated by Grady Vanderhoofven, Founder & CEO of Three Roots Capital, this panel will explore how UT, ORNL, the City of Knoxville and industry partners are advancing quantum technologies, supporting commercialization, growing high-wage jobs and building the talent pipeline needed for the future. Three Roots Capital brings a unique perspective as a local financing and investment partner supporting innovation, infrastructure, and investing in the startup ecosystem.
Speakers
Moderator: Grady Vanderhoofven
Three Roots Capital
Deborah Crawford
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Shaun Gleason
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Rebekah Jane (RJ) Justice
City of Knoxville
Ryan Harring
IONQ
9:55 am – 10:10 am: Networking Break
Presented by We Know People Media
10:15 am – 10:45 am: Breakout Session presented by LocaliQ
The Psychology of Being Chosen: How trust and psychology influence decisions
Speaker
John Montuori
LocaliQ
10:15 am – 10:45 am: Breakout Session presented by PYA
We Know People Media Meet & Greet: Abby Ham and Heather Waliga share their pivot from the newsroom to entrepreneurship
Speakers
Heather Waliga
We Know People Media
Abby Ham
We Know People Media
11:00 am – 11:30 am: A Seat at the Table: Knoxville's Rise as a Culinary Destination
Presented by Visit Knoxville
Knoxville’s culinary scene is earning national recognition, with two restaurants receiving Michelin-recommended designations and helping shape the Knoxville region’s growing reputation as a destination. This panel will explore how local culinary leaders are building recognized brands, driving entrepreneurship and innovation, and using food culture to attract visitors, talent, and economic growth.
Speakers
Moderator: Kim Bumpas
Visit Knoxville
Joseph Lenn
J.C. Holdway
Laurence Faber
Potchke
11:30 am – 12:15 pm: Emerging Entrepreneur Pitch Competition
Presented by the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Judges
Jay Niblick
Resonant | Innermetrix
Katy Daniels
Route 2 Farmstay
Jeff Abbott
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
11:30 am – 12:15 pm: Emerging Entrepreneur Pitch Competition
Startups
Joseph Shinkle
Edura
Alex Del Vecchio
Big Al's Hot Mustard
Kendra Mueller
WarmWave
Patrick Ragozzine
Arbor AI
Jack Ford & Alan Schneider
JobWillow
Blake Hopkins
Cofluence
12:15 pm – 1:30 pm: Lunch + Traction Award Presentation
2026 Traction Award presented by Axle Logistics
Presentor
Ali Fraley
Axle Logistics
1:30 pm – 2:00 pm: Featured Speaker: Knox County Mayor
Mayor Betsy Henderson
Knox County
2:15 pm – 2:45 pm: Breakout Session presented by LocaliQ
The Psychology of Influence: How communication helps move decisions toward action
Speaker
John Montuori
LocaliQ
2:15 pm – 2:45 pm: Breakout Session presented by PYA
Real Talk: How Founders get Funded
UT Ventures is a Knoxville-based angel network. Market Square Ventures is a Knoxville-based venture capital firm. This session brings together two of the region's most active investors for "real talk" on what they look for, what kills deals and what happens after the checks clear.
Speakers
Maha Krishnamurthy
University of Tennessee Research Foundation | UT Ventures
Marty Brown
PYA | Market Square Ventures
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Startup Pitch Competition
Six Knoxville startups pitch their startup for cash prizes!
Judges
Michael Dirla
Greater Sum Ventures
Rachel Mehta
She's Independent Investments
Mike Thibodeaux
Comcast
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Startup Pitch Competition
Startups
Marton Krivan
Aquafer Technologies, Inc.
Spencer Dore
New Horizon Precision
Alec Readel
Applied 2D Materials
Gustavo Alvarez-Suchini
DataRook
Brian Iezzi
Fibarcode
Kevin Roccapriore
AtomQ
4:00 pm – 4:15 pm: Networking Break
Presented by LocaliQ
4:15 pm – 4:45 pm: Where Are They Now? 865 Fest Alumni Share Their Startup Stories
Former Startup Day and 865 Fest founders return to share what happened after the pitch. From funding rounds and customer growth to pivots, setbacks and hard-earned lessons, this candid conversation offers an honest look at what it really takes to build and scale a startup.
Speakers
Moderator: Tom Rogers
Innovation Crossroads | Spark Innovation Center
Anna Douglas
SkyNano
Tommy Nguyen
Storage Pug
Brandon Bruce
Market Square Ventures
John Sorochan
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
4:45 pm – 5:00 pm: Awards Presentation
Emerging Entrepreneur Award, presented by the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Crowd Favorite Award, presented by Carrasco | Trump
Judges' Choice Award, presented by Comcast
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm: Happy Hour
Networking + happy hour to follow the formal programming!