KEC Mentor Network Mingle
2026-05-05 17:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York)
Join us on Tuesday, May 5th for a KEC Mentor Network Mingle at Ricky’s Bar!
We’re bringing together our KEC Mentors and founders that are actively participating in or interested in getting connected to the KEC Mentor Network. This is the perfect opportunity to connect and network with other founders, ask our KEC Mentors questions, and find out more information about resources and programs that KEC offers.
We hope to see you there!
About Ricky’s:
Ricky’s is a new bar brought to you by the owners of Tern Club and Fly By Night. Located at 1520 Washington Avenue, Ricky’s has plenty of parking, and a food truck out back.
Register now.

Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development WorkSource Summit
2026-05-12 - 2026-05-13 | Sonesta Nashville Airport
The Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development is hosting the inaugural WorkSource Summit, a new statewide gathering of the leaders shaping Tennessee’s workforce and economy.
This no-cost to register, two-day conference brings together employers, educators, workforce professionals, policymakers, and economic development leaders around a shared goal: strengthening a talent ecosystem that meets industry needs. Attendees will gain insights into apprenticeships, micro-credentials, Workforce Pell, and innovative work-based learning opportunities advancing across Tennessee, along with proven strategies that keep our state nationally competitive.

Innovation Night at the Park
2026-05-13 | Covenant Health Park
Wednesday, May 13 | Covenant Health Park | Knoxville, Tennessee
Join founders, innovators, investors, and the wider Knoxville community for an afternoon and evening celebrating innovation.
12:00-2:00 PM
Investor Pitch: $100K Opportunity
Join us for lunch in the Clubhouse and watch top founders pitch their startups. Selected founders will have 3 minutes to pitch to local and regional investors and a chance to receive a $100,000 investment from Market Square Ventures.
2:00-4:00 PM
LEEP Demo Day 2026
Experience breakthrough technologies from startups in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program (LEEP).
Featuring startups from:

Chain Reaction Innovations at Argonne National Laboratory (Illinois)

Cyclotron Road at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (California)

Innovation Crossroads at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (Tennessee)

West Gate at National Laboratory of the Rockies (Colorado)

Meet the founders building the next generation of energy and advanced technology companies.
4:00-5:30 PM
Coworking + Networking at 121 Tech Hub
Founders, investors, and operators are invited to continue conversations and collaboration at 121 Tech Hub, located block from the stadium at 121 E. Jackson. Drop in, connect, and work alongside fellow innovators. Coworking at 121 Tech Hub will also be available all day for founders and investors attending the event.
5:30-7:00 PM
Innovation Showcase on the Concourse
Gates open at 5:30pm! Explore the latest technologies from startups and innovative companies.

Live startup demonstrations

Founder meet-and-greets

Emerging technology displays

Meet the people building the future of energy, AI, mobility, advanced manufacturing, and more.
7:00-9:00 PM
One Knoxville SC game ⚽️
Watch the national champion One Knoxville SC soccer team take on Union Omaha at Covenant Health Park, which was named the best ballpark in the country. Get your special discount group rate tickets.
Before the game, celebrate Knoxville’s culture of innovation on the Jumbotron.
At halftime, recognize founders and innovators from the day’s event on the field.
Why This Event Matters
Knoxville brings together entrepreneurial ambition, national laboratory research, and university talent.
Innovation Night welcomes:

Local and regional founders

Venture investors

Corporate innovators

National lab startups

Students

The wider community!

All in one place to celebrate the future being built here.
Brought to you by
121 Tech Hub
Innovation Crossroads at Oak Ridge National Lab
LaunchTN
Market Square Ventures
One Knoxville SC
PYA Accountants & Advisors

From Lab to Market: Accelerating AI Innovation
2026-05-19 | Ashraf Islam Engineering Building, 200 West 10th Street, Cookeville, TN, 38501, United States
Please join us for a statewide event designed to accelerate the transition of artificial intelligence research into real-world deployment, commercialization, and job creation across Tennessee. Hosted by AI Tennessee’s Industry Innovation Consortium, AI TechX, and supported by Launch TN’s Tennessee Technology Advancement Consortium (TTAC), the convening will bring together industry leaders, startups, faculty researchers, government, and other relevant stakeholders to align applied AI Innovation with market and societal needs. The event will feature curated programming focused on applied AI use cases, research-to-commercialization pathways, startup and talent showcases, and facilitated conversations around industry-academic collaboration.

Nashville Entrepreneur Day: Spring 2026
2026-05-21 13:00 - 18:00 | Geodis Park, 501 Benton Avenue, Nashville, 37203
Last year, 1000+ investors, advisors, and business leaders showed up to Nashville Entrepreneur Day. They didn’t come for inspiration. They came to meet companies with actual traction. Don’t miss your chance.

Shrimp Boil
2026-06-11 17:00 - 19:00
Join us for an evening of Peelin’ Eatin’ & Politickin’ at Shrimp Boil 2026!
This business climate program will feature great food and the opportunity for business community representatives to meet with local elected officials and others from across the state of Tennessee who have been invited to attend.
Two ticket options are available: individual tickets at standing cocktail tables, or table purchases for a sit-down experience.
Reserved tables include one table of ten (10), table sign displaying your logo, two drink tickets per guest + bucket of bottled beer, and a southern country boil buffet.
Parking will be available onsite.
Please email events@knoxvillechamber.com for invoice requests.

Sloss.Tech Conference in Birmingham, AL
2026-06-24 - 2026-06-26 | Downtown Birmingham, Alabama
Sloss Tech is the Southeast’s premier annual technology and innovation conference held in downtown Birmingham, Alabama, focusing on fostering, connecting, and showcasing the region’s growing tech scene. Founded in 2015, the three-day event features expert speakers, breakout sessions, and a major startup pitch competition with significant funding.

2026 NEXT Awards + Entrepreneurs’ Hall of Fame, Presented by Amazon
2026-10-19 17:30 - 22:00 | Schermerhorn Symphony Center
NEXT Awards and Entrepreneurs’ Hall of Fame is entrepreneurship’s biggest night to honor the up and comers, the game-changers and those that have left a legacy in their wake.
