The Innov865 Alliance announced the return of Innov865 Week today and new activities to bolster entrepreneurship in the region. Innov865 Week 2017 will take place September 18-22, 2017. Now in its second year and an expansion of successful “Startup Days,” the week-long series of events celebrate and showcase Knoxville as a great place for entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses.
Educational panels, pitch competitions, investor roundtables, startup speed dating with investors and social events will be included in event programming throughout the week leading up to the signature event, Startup Day, Thursday, September 21, 2017.
“After the incredible response to this year’s celebration, the Innov865 Alliance is excited about enhancing 2017 programming and events to provide even more support to our entrepreneurial community,” said Jim Biggs, Executive Director, Knoxville Entrepreneur Center (KEC). KEC is a founding member of the Innov865 Alliance along with the University of Tennessee Research Foundation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, UT’s Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, PYA and Launch Tennessee.
More than 1,400 attendees participated in 25 events during the inaugural Innov865 Week 2016. Next year’s events will include expanding the number of startup speed dating sessions to match startups with sector and stage specific investors.
The announcement was made at the first Innov865 Week Happy Hour featuring Andrew Goldner, managing partner at venture capital firm GrowthX. Innov865 Alliance members will host happy hours every other month throughout the year for startups, entrepreneurs and makers to socialize, network and learn from VIP guests.
Launch Tennessee will host the next Innov865 Happy Hour the week of February 6, 2017. For more information and to stay updated on events, visit: www.innov865.com
About Innov865 Alliance
The Innov865 Alliance develops, supports, and promotes the Knoxville region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. It is a collaborative effort to celebrate and showcase Knoxville as a great place for entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses and increase access to capital. Innov865 Week is its signature event; however, the Alliance coordinates other activities throughout the year, including pitch competitions, educational opportunities, and social events.
Founding members of the Innov865 Alliance include the University of Tennessee Research Foundation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, UT’s Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, PYA, Launch Tennessee and Knoxville Entrepreneur Center. Learn more at https://www.innov865.com/