Event Information

October 1, 2024 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Location: Knoxville, Tennessee

What is Startup Day?

Innov865 Week’s premier event is Startup Day, an annual pitch competition and celebration of Knoxville’s thriving entrepreneurial community. At Startup Day, entrepreneurs showcase their local startup to a panel of venture capitalists, angel investors and industry leaders. Pitches are followed by a Q&A from the panel about their business and why they chose to grow their company in Knoxville. Cash prizes are awarded through crowd participation, totaling $15,000.

NEW THIS YEAR: Startup Day will also include a short emerging entrepreneur pitch competition sponsored by the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The competition is open for ALL students currently enrolled (or alumni who have graduated within the last 12 months) in a college or university within the state of Tennessee. The emerging entrepreneur winner will receive $2,500.

The application period has closed. See you at Startup Day 2024 on October 1!


Past Startup Day Highlights

Revisit the highlights and learn about the winners from Innov865’s premier event in past years!

Past Startup Day Highlights

Have you attended Startup Day since the beginning? Love celebrating Knoxville’s entrepreneurial ecosystem? Check out highlights from past Startup Days here!

Startup Day Winners

We have had incredible Startup Day winners over the years! Check them out here.