865 Fest is Back — New name, new energy, and a full day of spotlighting start-ups in Knoxville
865 Fest is a full-day entrepreneurial event presented by the Innov865 Alliance, a coalition that develops, supports, and promotes the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Knoxville’s “865 Fest” (formerly Startup Day) is back this year with a new location and a full day of engaging programming. The rebranded event, hosted by the Innov865 Alliance, will take place Tuesday, Sept. 16, at Bridgewater Place in West Knoxville and includes pitch competitions, keynote speakers, panel discussions, and breakout sessions designed to spark ideas, foster collaboration, and celebrate innovation.
865 Fest invites investors, students, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and community members to celebrate Knoxville’s vibrant and growing entrepreneurial ecosystem. Each year, hundreds of attendees gather to attend this signature event.
Main Stage Programming
865 Fest will feature keynote speakers, including Jordan Harper, NP, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Barefaced, and Mark Pancratz, Founding Partner and Private Wealth Advisor of Axiom Wealth Management. City of Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon will provide welcoming remarks.
Expanded programming will include two featured panels – one focused on the business behind Knoxville’s multipurpose Covenant Health Park, presented by Visit Knoxville, and another focused on opportunities for collaboration and innovation between start-ups and established corporations, presented by Three Roots Capital and Carrasco | Trump.
Breakout Programming
New this year, 865 Fest will feature two breakout session rooms presented by PYA, the power behind Teknovation.biz, and the Knoxville News Sentinel. These sessions will cover various topics designed to inspire and equip entrepreneurs, from celebrating milestones like 10 Years of the Maker City to hearing valuation advice for start-up founders preparing to exit.
Pitch Competitions
865 Fest’s signature start-up pitch competition will celebrate its thirteenth year in Knoxville. Six of Knoxville’s top start-ups 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 start-up to win the $5,000 Crowd Favorite Award, and judges will select the $10,000 Judges’ Choice winner.
865 Fest is honored to host three judges for this year’s start-up pitch competition, including Jim Holleman, Principal of Avison Young, Matt Park, Director of IT and CET Business Partner at Cirrus Aircraft, and Ramsey Cohen, National Sales at Clayton Development Group.
Wesley Pitts, Founder of KnoxBots and TerraSYNC, Esteban Hernandez-Fuentes, Start-up Coach at the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and Erica Stump, Partnerships Director, IonQ, will judge the emerging entrepreneur pitch competition.
The Innov865 Alliance, which collectively plans 865 Fest, is proud to announce six start-up companies to pitch at 865 Fest that reflect Knoxville’s diverse entrepreneurial spirit. Those start-ups include: AluminAiry, Unified Track, TeachCraft, Modern Working Moms, Witching Hour, and LaborUp.
Returning for the second year is the emerging entrepreneur pitch competition for students and new graduates, organized by the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. The emerging entrepreneurs will showcase their ideas for a cash prize of $3,000. Those selected to pitch in the emerging entrepreneur pitch competition include: Dr. Harish Manyam, Omniasis, Gustavo Alvarez-Suchini, DataRook, Jeremiah Vecchioni, World’s Fair Furnishing Company, and Katy Daniels, Henry BnB.
The annual Traction Award, presented by AXLE Logistics, will also be announced. This award recognizes a Knoxville entrepreneur who has made significant progress since participating in Startup Day.
“Knoxville’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is stronger than ever,” said Marc A. Nabhan, PhD, Director of Entrepreneurship and New Ventures at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. “This year’s 865 Fest will raise the bar with a new location, expanded programming, and dynamic keynote speakers. Attendees will gain valuable insights, make meaningful connections, and experience the innovation that continues to define our region.”
Doors for the event will open at 8:30 a.m. EDT on Sept. 16 for a networking breakfast and registration. Programming will begin at 9 a.m. EDT, and lunch will be provided for attendees. General admission tickets are available for purchase online for $75. Tickets will be available to students at no cost. Click here to purchase tickets.
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