Stories of Technology, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship in the Southeast

The Knoxville Entrepreneur Center caps its 2026 cohort on September 9 at The Square Room, with founders working in energy, healthcare, AI, and industrial software.

The three will develop, test and validate advanced analytics tools for electric distribution systems. The goal is to move new algorithms from prototype to field in mere months.

Three flights over Crossville totaling more than two hours move the company's eQ250 propulsors from the test stand toward civil and defense aircraft.

Participating founders with the UT Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation underwent a 10-week crashcourse in entrepreneurship, guided by mentors and industry experts from across Knoxville’s startup ecosystem.

Applications are open and are being accepted on a rolling basis. The program begins in November 2026.

This Knox-based fintech startup's goal is to become the trusted verification layer for complex income across mortgage, commercial, consumer, SBA and specialty lending.

"Our Hermes 2 will be the first fluoride, self-cooled, high-temperature reactor to regenerate 50 megawatts for the Tennessee Valley. The work we're doing here is about more than one plant, though. We are creating a blueprint to scale nuclear power across the U.S., and NuCAMP is part of that," said Mike McGuire, VP of operations and site delivery.

The newly announced Catalyst Capital angel group seeks to create a $1 million fund, with an anticipated investment range from $25,000 to $250,000 into regional companies making an economic impact.