What is Innov865 Week?

Innov865 Week is a weeklong celebration of Knoxville’s entrepreneurial spirit that brings 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. It is presented by the Innov865 Alliance, a coalition that develops, supports, and promotes the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Divided into five tracks, Innov865 Week highlights various elements of the Alliance’s mission to develop, support and promote the Knoxville region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and its collaborative effort to celebrate and showcase Knoxville as a great place for all entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses and increase access to capital. The five tracks include innovator, emerging entrepreneur, maker, investor and experience 865.

Please sign up for the latest news about our annual event, Startup Day, or other upcoming events for more opportunities to network with fellow Knoxville entrepreneurs as we prepare for this year’s week-long celebration once more!

Innov865 Week Tracks

Divided into five tracks, Innov865 Week highlights various elements of the Alliance’s mission to develop, support, and promote 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. The five tracks include innovator, emerging entrepreneur, maker, investor and experience 865.


Innovator

Showcasing the Knoxville region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem

Sponsored by

innov865 alliance logo white


Emerging Entrepreneur

Developing the Knoxville region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem

Sponsored by


Maker

Promoting the Knoxville region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem

Sponsored by


Experience 865

Celebrating the Knoxville region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem

Sponsored by


Investor

Supporting the Knoxville region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem

Sponsored by

Innov865 Week Agenda

September 27, 2024

The Maker City Summit

The Maker City Summit is back September 27-29 at the Maker Exchange in downtown Knoxville. The theme is “Make it: Grow!”

September 30, 2024

Premier Partner Program: Cohort Showcase

Join the Knoxville Chamber for a Spark Cleantech Accelerator Cohort Showcase on September 30 from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

October 1, 2024

Startup Day 2024

At Startup Day, entrepreneurs showcase their local startup to a panel composed 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. Applications close June 30, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET. NEW THIS YEAR: Startup Day will also include a short student pitch competition sponsored by the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The student winner will receive $2,500.

October 2, 2024

Morning Momentum

Morning Momentum is a monthly series designed to connect seasoned business leaders with entrepreneurs experiencing growth challenges.

Raising Capital in Knoxville: A Look Behind the Curtain

Join PYA for a panel discussion moderated by Brandon Bruce featuring entrepreneurs who have successfully raised or are raising capital from a Knoxville base.

121 Tech Hub Grand Opening

Come to the grand opening of 121 Tech Hub, a community and coworking space for tech founders and teams in the heart of the Old City.

October 3, 2024

2024 Endeavor Summit

Knoxville’s annual Endeavor Young Professional Summit motivates the area’s emerging leaders to engage in their community and take ownership of their professional growth.

Raising & Rising 2024

Join Knoxville Entrepreneur Center and presenting sponsor, CGI, for Raising & Rising 2024! We’re bringing together investors, industry experts, and local Knoxville companies that are either on the rise or looking to raise some capital, all under the same roof!

October 4, 2024

ETEC Weekly Meeting

Join ETEC’s Weekly Meeting from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. on Friday, October 4 to hear pitches from the Startup Day winners!

Devmoot 2024

Attend Devmoot 2024, a single day, one-track conference dedicated to showcasing the latest trends, innovations, and breakthroughs in the ever-evolving field of software development.


Supporters

FAQs

Why should I attend?

Innov865 Week is a weeklong celebration of Knoxville’s entrepreneurial spirit that brings together startups, entrepreneurs, makers, investors, business leaders, students, and community leaders from across East Tennessee. If you want to help develop, support, and promote the Knoxville region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, this event is for you! Whether you’re an Innovator, Emerging Entrepreneur, Maker, Investor or someone who loves to Experience 865 – this week-long celebration is the place for you!

Who should I contact if I have any questions?

Event Logistics: Allie Eskew | allison@piper-communications.com

Media Relations and Programming: Hannah Whitson | hannah@piper-communications.com

Digital Media: Abby Hassler | abby@piper-communications.com

Support: Mallory Jenkins | mallory@piper-communications.com

What supporter opportunities are available?

Innov865 Week is a weeklong celebration of Knoxville’s entrepreneurial spirit. If you want to help develop, support and promote the Knoxville region’s entrepreneurial community, please consider supporting. With over 1.3K event attendees last year, Innov865 Week 2024 promises to be bigger than ever before. View the 2024 Supporter Packet.

To discuss opportunities, contact Mallory Jenkins at mallory@piper-communications.com or 865.696.5090.