Spark Innovation Center partners with UT Anderson Center to expand internship program
The Anderson Center will offset 50 percent of interns’ wages, making it easier for start-ups to access fresh ideas, unique skills, and motivated support as they grow.
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, in the Haslam College of Business, has partnered with the Spark Innovation Center at UT’s Research Park at Cherokee Farm to sponsor five Spark Scholar internships for the 2025-26 academic year.
The Spark Scholar interns will work with technology start-ups in roles like materials processing research, product development, marketing, communications, and business development. By collaborating directly with founders and leadership teams, students gain real-world experience in an environment fueled by innovation, creativity, and rapid growth.
These students will then learn all the skills it takes to launch and scale a business. Open to all majors and degree levels, the program welcomes diverse talents and perspectives.
In addition to supporting students, the program also benefits participating companies by providing skilled student talent at an accessible rate. The Anderson Center will offset 50 percent of interns’ wages, making it easier for startups to access fresh ideas, unique skills, and motivated support as they grow.
According to Breanna Hale, the Anderson Center Executive Director, the decision to sponsor the Spark Scholar internships directly aligns with the center’s mission.
“By helping fund internships for students at startups working with the Spark Innovation Center, we’re not just supporting education, we’re helping fuel innovation by bridging opportunity with experience and shaping the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders,” she says.
Lilly Tench, executive director of the Spark Innovation Center, echoed Hale’s enthusiasm.
“We’re thrilled to partner with the Anderson Center to expand the Spark Scholars program and provide more opportunities for UT students to get hands-on experience working with cutting-edge technology startups,” Tench said. “Spark has partnered with the Tickle College of Engineering’s Center for Materials Processing to develop and grow the Spark Scholar intern program with excellent results. The new partnership with the Anderson Center will allow us to expand Spark Scholars and provide opportunities to a broader range of students.”
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