Applications are open for the 2026 PYA Ballard Innovation Award Pitch Competition
The Ballard Innovation Award is the largest gift of cash and in-kind services available to East Tennessee entrepreneurs, and this year will introduce a new, impactful format.
Over the past five years, PYA has awarded $325,000 to East Tennessee startups through the firm’s Ballard Innovation Award. Previous winners have gone on to close major fundraising rounds, experience life-changing exits, and some have scaled 10x.
Applications are now open for the 2026 Ballard Innovation Award. PYA will be accepting applicants through March 18. Five companies will be selected.
About the Ballard Innovation Award
The five founders selected to pitch at the 2026 Ballard Innovation Award will be invited to a private event on the evening of April 22. The selected participants will have the unique opportunity to pitch their business to a hundred of East Tennessee’s premier business executives, investors, bankers, and change-makers.
As in years past, there will be three tiers for the awards.
First place will receive a package of $50,000 worth of capital and in-kind services from PYA. Second place will receive $10,000 worth of in-kind professional services, and Third place will receive $5,000 worth of services. See PYA’s service offerings and monetary breakdown here.
PYA is also introducing the inaugural Executive’s Choice Award, which will be voted upon and selected by the distinguished group of business leaders in attendance. The award will recognize the emerging startup that most impresses regional executive decision makers.
The PYA Ballard Innovation Award is the largest regional gift of cash and in-kind services available to East Tennessee entrepreneurs.
This year, things may look a bit different
Five founders will take the stage; however, unlike years past, this Ballard Innovation Award will be an invite-only business leaders’ event, attended by distinguished C-suite executives who lead some of the most successful companies in town.
Why the change?
- Connect founders with change-makers.
- Help business leaders better understand Tennessee’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
- Facilitate new partnerships and pathways for capital.
- Have business leaders decide the winner of the new ‘Executives’ Choice’ award.
Who should apply for the Ballard Award?
It is open to any early-stage company in the East Tennessee area that has established a proof of concept with accompanying revenue and financial resources of at least $200,000; a business plan to optimize business operations; evidence of an innovative spirit; and a vision to empower the consumer.
See all qualifications for the award.
Meet the award’s namesake, Tom Ballard
The PYA Ballard Innovation Award honors Tom Ballard, PYA’s former Chief Alliance Officer and founding editor of Teknovation, the firm’s publication focused on technology, entrepreneurship, and economic development.
An East Tennessee native, Ballard spent more than five decades building relationships through three distinguished careers at the University of Tennessee, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and PYA. In each role, he led initiatives to create multi-organizational alliances centered on statewide telecommunications networking, economic development, and business partnerships.
Ballard joined PYA in 2012 to launch the Teknovation initiative, positioning the firm as a key partner in the statewide mission to foster entrepreneurial growth and economic development. He retired from PYA in December 2025. Ballard is widely regarded as a pillar of the state’s entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem. The Ballard Innovation Award celebrates his enduring legacy.
Apply to the 2026 PYA Ballard Innovation Award today.
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