865 Fest celebrates Knoxville’s entrepreneurial ecosystem with new name,
new location and expanded programming
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (June 17, 2025) – Knoxville’s Startup Day is back with a new name, new location and a full day of engaging programming. The newly rebranded 865 Fest will take place Tuesday, Sept. 16 at Bridgewater Place in West Knoxville, featuring a full day of programming including startup pitch competitions, keynote speakers, breakout sessions and panel discussions.
865 Fest invites investors, entrepreneurs, business leaders and community members to celebrate Knoxville’s vibrant and ever-growing startup ecosystem. Each year, hundreds of attendees participate in Startup Day in Knoxville.
865 Fest’s signature startup pitch competition will celebrate its thirteenth year in Knoxville. Six of Knoxville’s top startups will pitch their companies before a panel of judges and a live audience for a chance to win up to $15,000 in cash prizes. Attendees will vote for their favorite startup to win the $5,000 Crowd Favorite Award, and judges will select the $10,000 Judges’ Choice winner.
Returning for the second year in a row is the emerging entrepreneur pitch competition for students and new graduates, organized by the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The event will also feature the presentation of the annual Traction Award, given to a Knoxville entrepreneur who has made significant traction since participating in Startup Day.
Applications for both competitions are currently available here and will be accepted through June 27.
“The Innov865 Alliance is thrilled to introduce the new ‘865 Fest’ concept,” said Maha Krishnamurthy, President of the University of Tennessee Research Foundation and Innov865 Alliance member. “Knoxville’s signature startup event has an exciting new look, format and location, but continues to celebrate the vital role that entrepreneurs play in the local business community.”
Registration opens today. Early bird tickets will be available at a discounted price of $50 through July 31; after that the general admission price will be $75. Tickets will be available to students at no cost. Click here to purchase tickets.
For more information on 865 Fest, visit innov865.com/865-fest/.
ABOUT 865 FEST & THE INNOV865 ALLIANCE
865 Fest is a full-day entrepreneurial event hosting visionary keynotes, premier pitch competitions, thought-provoking panels, and much more to explore how big ideas move from concept to reality. It is presented by the Innov865 Alliance, a coalition that develops, supports, and promotes the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Founding members of the Innov865 Alliance include the University of Tennessee Research Foundation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, PYA, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Three Roots Capital, Tennessee Valley Authority, Launch Tennessee, Knoxville Chamber, Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, UT Research Park at Cherokee Farm and the City of Knoxville. To learn more, visit innov865.com.
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Sarah Pope | sarah@piper-communications.com | (865) 329-0553