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 innovation, education, maker, culture, and investor.
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!
Featured Event: Startup Day 2023
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 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 $10,000.
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: innovation, education, maker, culture and investor.
Innovation:
Showcasing the Knoxville region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem
Sponsored by
Education:
Developing the Knoxville region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem
Sponsored by
Maker:
Promoting the Knoxville region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem
Sponsored by
Culture:
Celebrating the Knoxville region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem
Sponsored by
Investor:
Supporting the Knoxville region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem
Sponsored by
Innov865 Week Agenda
Founding Members
Sponsors
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, Educator, Maker, Investor or someone who loves Knoxville’s Culture – 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
Sponsorship: Mallory Jenkins | mallory@piper-communications.com
What sponsorship opportunities are available?
All sponsorship opportunities for Innov865 Week and Startup Day 2023 are taken! Thank you to our supporters for allowing the Innov865 Alliance shine the spotlight even brighter on Knoxville’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and helping our startups succeed. To discuss opportunities for next year, contact Mallory Jenkins at mallory@piper-communications.com or 865.696.5090.