Each year, we host Innov865 Week to celebrate Knoxville’s entrepreneurial spirit, bringing together startups, entrepreneurs, makers, investors, business leaders, students, and community leaders from across East Tennessee for a week of educational panels, pitch competitions, investor roundtables, and social events.

Innov865 Week’s premier event is Startup Day, an annual pitch competition and celebration of Knoxville’s thriving entrepreneurial community, which will take place on Tuesday, September 20. At the competition, entrepreneurs will showcase their local startup to a panel composed of venture capitalists, angel investors and industry leaders. Pitches will be followed by a Q&A from the panel about their business and why they chose to grow their company in Knoxville. Cash prizes will be awarded through crowd participation, totaling $10,000.

Six startups from the Knoxville region will be selected to pitch their businesses. Applicants must be located in the Knoxville region to be eligible. Applications close June 24, 2022 at 11:59p.m. ET. The Innov865 Alliance will review submissions and selected finalists will be notified in mid-July.

To be considered as one of the six pitchers for Startup Day 2022, please answer the questions and prompts below. If you have any questions, please email allison@piper-communications.com.