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Financial Fitness Class: Discovering Credit
2026-03-19 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Knoxville Area Urban League, 1514 East Fifth Avenue, Knoxville, TN, 37917, United States
The Urban League is hosting a free Financial Fitness Class in March to help individuals and families strengthen their credit, reduce debt, and prepare for sustainable homeownership.
This class provides clear, practical guidance on budgeting, credit improvement, and accessing available homeownership programs in Knoxville.

What's The Big Idea Pitch Competition - Finale
2026-03-22 17:30 - 20:00 | TBD
Join us for the 2026 What’s The Big Idea Pitch Competition on Sunday, March 22nd.
Finale Schedule:
5:30 PM – Doors Open
6:00 PM – Event Kickoff
6:15 PM – Pitches Start
8:00 PM – Winner Announced

Belmont Entrepreneur Awards
2026-03-24 | Fisher Center for the Performing Arts
This event honors the success of alumni-founded businesses while recognizing Belmont’s Top 100 Founders for their impact in the innovation space.

Knoxville Spring Housing Update
2026-03-24 14:00 - 15:00 | East Tennessee Realtors, 609 North Weisgarber Road, Knoxville, TN, 37919, United States
Join the Knoxville Chamber as Maria McHale, Government Affairs Director for East Tennessee REALTORS®, shares the 2026 Housing Market Forecast and reviews the first few months of the year.

Capital Conversations Tri-Cities
2026-03-24 16:00 - 18:00 | Southern Craft BBQ, 601 Spring St #101, Johnson City, TN, 37604, United States
Learn about InvestTN, funding opportunities + more
We’re back on the road to share key info on funding, investment opportunities, and how to tap into resources right in your community at our upcoming Capital Conversations events.
Next stops:

Tri-Cities on March 24 – RSVP

Food Business Incubator Info Session
2026-03-24 17:00 - 18:30 | Pellissippi State Community College: Magnolia Avenue Campus, 1610 East Magnolia Avenue, Knoxville, TN, 37917, United States
Ready to turn your food business idea into a viable, sustainable operation? Learn about the Food Business Incubator Program.

Are you an early-stage food entrepreneur looking to formalize your business, strengthen your business model, and access hands-on support?
Join us for this required info session to learn about the Real Good Kitchen Foundation’s Food Business Incubator Program—a comprehensive program designed to support food entrepreneurs as they move from idea to operation, or from informal to formal business.
What You’ll Learn
During this session, we’ll walk through:

An overview of the Food Business Incubator Program and what participants can expect
Eligibility requirements and selection criteria
The application process, timeline, and tips for submitting a strong application
The basics of a feasibility study, including what is required for the application
(A feasiblity template and resources will be provided)
Live Q&A with program staff

About the Incubator Program
The Food Business Incubator Program combines:

Classroom instruction on food business fundamentals
Hands-on kitchen instruction and technical assistance
Support using the shared commercial kitchen at Real Good Kitchen

The program is designed to help early-stage food entrepreneurs build the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to operate a successful food business.
Who Should Attend
This session is ideal for:

Early-stage food business owners
Aspiring food entrepreneurs with a clear concept

Important Information

This is the final Info session for this year’s Incubator Cohort. Attendance at this session is required to apply for the Food Business Incubator Program
The Incubator Program will only be offered once in 2026
Applications will be due in May
This session is free to attend, but registration is required

Reserve your spot to learn whether the Food Business Incubator Program is the right next step for your food business.

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AI Tennessee Summit in Nashville
2026-03-25 - 2026-03-26 | Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, 222 Rep. John Lewis Way, Nashville, Tennessee, 37203, United States
Mark your calendars for the inaugural AI Tennessee Summit, hosted by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in collaboration with the Tennessee AI Advisory Council, SCORE, Vanderbilt University, the University of Memphis, the Oak Ridge National Lab, and the Tennessee Board of Regents. The summit will bring together leaders from government, industry, and academia to explore how Tennessee can position itself at the forefront of the nation’s AI race.

UTK and IACMI Demo Day at FCMF
2026-03-25 14:00 - 16:00 | Fibers and Composites Manufacturing Facility, 2730 Cherokee Farm Way, Knoxville, TN, 37920, United States
Now fully commissioned at Innovation South in UT Research Park, FCMF is operating at full capacity for technical and high-performance manufacturing and actively advancing workforce development initiatives across K to 12, higher education, and industry.

This event will provide an opportunity to see the facility in operation through live machinery demonstrations and cutting edge manufacturing technologies led by our undergraduate and graduate student researchers and staff.

Innovation Crossroads Founders' Forum
2026-03-26 15:30 - 17:30 | Smoky Mountain Brewery (11308 Parkside Drive, Knoxville, TN 37934)
Join us for the March Innovation Crossroads Founders’ Forum, featuring:

Jesse Smith, Manager of Industrial and Economic Development Partnerships at ORNL, offering guidance to early-stage entrepreneurs seeking lab or office space in the Oak Ridge/Knoxville region.
Tom Mann, Entrepreneur and Business Mentor, sharing his personal journey, lessons learned, and practical advice for founders.

Event Details:

When: Thursday, March 26, 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. ET
Where: Smoky Mountain Brewery, Private Room
Address: 11308 Parkside Drive, Knoxville, TN 37934

Capitol Connections
2026-03-27 08:00 - 09:00 | Knoxville Chamber, 17 Market Square
Learn what’s happening at the Tennessee General Assembly during a discussion with members of the Tennessee State House of Representatives. You will hear about their priorities for 2026 and current business issues within our community.

TAEBC Annual Meeting
2026-03-31 10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual
Join us virtually for the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council’s annual meeting. This event allows TAEBC members, stakeholders, and potential members to celebrate our thriving advanced energy economy. Explore insights on the growing AI industry, fusion energy, updates on the TVA IRP process, and meet our new board members.

Advance Knox: New Zoning Map
2026-04-01 08:30 - 09:30 | Knoxville Chamber, 17 Market Square, Knoxville
Join local government officials and planners as they reveal the zoning map that will dictate development in Knox County for years to come. The map is among the final stages of the new Unified Development Ordinance, which will rewrite the county’s zoning, building and fire codes, subdivision and stormwater regulations, landscaping, signs and street standards.
Planners will be seeking final comment before the draft is presented to the Knoxville/Knox County Planning Commission.
Work on the UDO began last fall as part of the Advance Knox process to update the county’s comprehensive land use plan for the first time in decades. To learn more, including prior presentations, at www.advanceknox.com.
Light Refreshments will be served.
*We validate parking in Market Square Garage.

Morning Momentum
2026-04-02 08:30 - 09:30 | Maple Hall, 414 South Gay Street, Knoxville, TN, 37902
Morning Momentum is a monthly series designed to connect seasoned business leaders & entrepreneurs experiencing growth challenges.

This monthly series will take place the first Thursday at 8:30 AM at Maple Hall. It’s designed to help small business owners tackle growth-related challenges by presenting real issues to seasoned business leaders for immediate feedback.
This month’s presenters are seeking input on how to strengthen their business development strategy , from building partnerships to identifying new revenue opportunities. As an attendee, you’ll hear from two entrepreneurs facing real growth hurdles and be invited to offer actionable ideas to help them move forward.
Morning Momentum is a space to foster mentorship, spark new thinking, and accelerate business growth.
If you, or someone you know could benefit from presenting at Morning Momentum, apply here!
*Light breakfast and coffee will be served.
*We recommend parking in Market Square Garage and walking over.

Regional Innovation Growth Strategy Launch
2026-04-07 08:30 - 09:30 | PYA, 6016 Brookvale Ln, 6016 Brookvale Ln, Knoxville, Tennessee, 37919
Hear from Mike Odom, President and CEO of the Knoxville Chamber, as he presents our Regional Innovation Growth Strategy (RIGS).

We believe that innovation and its subsequent ecosystem are a critical aspect of a vibrant, economically successful community, especially one that wants to grow jobs, retain and attract talent, and increase prosperity. Join us as Mike Odom, President and CEO of the Knoxville Chamber, presents thirteen recommendations segmented by talent, infrastructure, and business climate designed to give Knoxville a targeted strategy for growing our innovation ecosystem and raising our economic prosperity.
Breakfast will be provided. Seating is limited, and registration is required.

Women's Capital Series
2026-04-07 09:00 - 12:30 | 121 Tech Hub, 121 E Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37915
Presented by Let Her Speak
Women are launching businesses at a faster rate than ever before, making up the majority of new business owners in recent years. Yet, they still receive a disproportionately small slice of the funding pie. To make matters more urgent, the very funds designed to support women are currently coming under attack.
It’s time to change the narrative. The Women’s Capital Series is a dedicated three-month program designed to empower the next generation of female founders and investors. Whether you are an entrepreneur seeking funding or a woman wanting to lift up other women-owned businesses as an investor, this series provides the tools, the network, and the “real talk” needed to navigate the capital landscape.
April 2026: The Lived Experience of Entrepreneurship & Investing
Session 2: Entrepreneur & Investor Fireside Chats
Date: April 7th | 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: 121 Tech Hub
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM: A deep-dive Entrepreneur Fireside Chat with Kay Baker, Co-Founder of Green Llama
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM: An Investor Fireside Chat with Carol Seamons, Expert in Residence at Spark Innovation Center & Investor

Innov865 Alliance Mayoral Forum
2026-04-08 17:00 - 19:00 | 121 Tech Hub, 121 E Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37915
Join the candidates vying to become Knox County’s next mayor for a mayoral forum on April 8 at 121 Tech Hub in the Old City.

The mayoral forum is presented by the Innov865 Alliance, the local collaborative of organizations advancing the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. All four candidates running for Knox County mayor will share a stage to discuss their positions and perspectives on entrepreneurship, economic development, and opportunity in Knoxville. The forum will be moderated by WATE 6 On Your Side political contributor and Piper Communications President Cortney Piper, with questions contributed by a panel of local entrepreneurs.

Space at the mayoral forum is limited – all interested media and public persons must register to reserve their free spot. For security purposes, unregistered persons may not acquire tickets at the door and will not be allowed inside the event.
Special thank you to 121 Tech Hub for graciously hosting this event!

CodeStock Conference
2026-04-09 - 2026-04-10 | Knoxville Convention Center
CodeStock is a two-day event for technology and information exchange. CodeStock was created to Educate, Inspire, and Connect the technology community. Created by the community, for the community – this is not an industry trade show pushing the latest in marketing as technology, but a gathering of working professionals sharing knowledge and experience.
Adhithi Ravichandran, Software Consultant, Pluralsight Author, and tech educator, will headline CodeStock 2026, returning April 9 and 10 to Knoxville, Tennessee!
Adhithi has built a remarkable career at the intersection of software architecture, teaching, and community leadership. As the founder of Surya Consulting, Inc., she’s guided development teams across industries through modern frontend transformations, helping organizations embrace technologies like React, Next.js, GraphQL, and AI-assisted development with confidence and clarity.
Learn more here.

LinkedIn Workshop at KEC
2026-04-09 09:00 - 10:30 | Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, Market Square
Join us at KEC on April 9 for Find Your Voice, Grow Your Business, a hands-on workshop focused on using LinkedIn as a practical tool for your business. Led by communications expert Dylan Jones of Boldsquare, this session will help you build a personal brand that reflects who you are and drives real conversations. You’ll leave with a drafted post and a clear, sustainable plan to show up on LinkedIn with purpose.

The Vanderbilt Quantum Forum: Technology, Policy and the Economy
2026-04-09 09:00 - 18:30 | Grand Hyatt Nashville, 1000 Broadway, Nashville, Tennessee, 37203
Set in Tennessee, this forum brings together leaders from academia, industry, government and national laboratories to introduce quantum technology and explore its implications for energy, security, healthcare, economic competitiveness and public policy. Designed for a broad audience, the program focuses on understanding what quantum is, why it matters, and how Tennessee can contribute to the nation’s quantum ecosystem.

Women's Capital Series Happy Hour
2026-04-09 17:30 - 19:00 | Zero/Zero Wine Bar
Presented by Let Her Speak
Women are launching businesses at a faster rate than ever before, making up the majority of new business owners in recent years. Yet, they still receive a disproportionately small slice of the funding pie. To make matters more urgent, the very funds designed to support women are currently coming under attack.
It’s time to change the narrative. The Women’s Capital Series is a dedicated three-month program designed to empower the next generation of female founders and investors. Whether you are an entrepreneur seeking funding or a woman wanting to lift up other women-owned businesses as an investor, this series provides the tools, the network, and the “real talk” needed to navigate the capital landscape.
Session 2 Happy Hour: “Money Talk” Working Session
Date: April 9th | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Zero/Zero Wine Bar

Tech Vision 2026
2026-04-10 09:00 - 15:00 | MTSU Miller Education Center, 503 E. Bell Street, Murfreesboro, TN, 37130, United States
On April 10, 2026, Tech Vision 2026 will bring leaders, founders, researchers, and operators together at MTSU’s Miller Education Center.
Preparing for an accelerating and emerging future shaped by AI, quantum technologies, cybersecurity, and workforce transformation.
This event is the next part of our Quantum Activation Series and is designed to move the conversation beyond theory. We are focused on practical application, real business impact, and what leaders need to be thinking about right now.
Topics include:
• Artificial Intelligence
• Quantum Technologies
• Cybersecurity
• Digital Transformation
• Strategic HR and Workforce Trends
If you care about where technology is going and how it will impact your organization, this room matters.

Blount Small Business Peer Group
2026-04-15 08:30 - 10:00 | REO Cheesewagon
Join us for the next Small Business Peer-to-Peer Group meeting on Wednesday, April 15th at 8:30 a.m. at REO Cheesewagon (429 W. Broadway Ave, Maryville, TN). This group is designed for small business owners and operators to connect in a confidential, supportive environment. It is not a referral or sales group—our focus is on sharing knowledge, resources, and real-world experiences related to running a business. Participants will be divided into small groups to discuss key topics such as: Human Resources Marketing Strategies Customer Acquisition Growth Challenges Strategic Planning Customer Service Financial Management Come ready to engage, learn, and support fellow business leaders.We look forward to another productive and engaging discussion. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
REO Cheesewagon
429 W. Broadway Ave
Maryville, TN 37801 United States

Event Contact
Brenda Farner
(865) 273-1202
Send Email
Wednesday, April 15, 2026 (8:30 AM – 10:00 AM) (EDT)

Network & Hiring Event: Agentic AI and Quantum Careers in Knoxville
2026-04-15 17:30 - 19:30 | Fred’s Around the Corner
Join CGI for an informal networking and hiring event at Fred’s Around the Corner, focused on the next wave of mission-ready technology: advanced agentic AI, quantum-ready systems, and the real-world workloads where they matter most. Meet CGI leaders and technologists, learn about our work in Knoxville, and explore opportunities to build, ship, and scale solutions that move beyond pilots into production.
Heavy hors d’oeuvres and drink tickets will be provided. To confirm your attendance, please complete the RSVP form.
5:00 – 5:30 p.m. — Arrival, appetizers, and networking
5:30 – 6:00 p.m. — Welcome + “What we’re building in Knoxville” (CGI overview)
6:00 – 6:45 p.m. — Hiring spotlight: roles, teams, and mission work (Agentic AI + Quantum)
6:45 – 7:30 p.m. — Q&A, meet-the-team networking, and next steps
About the event
AI is rapidly becoming mission-critical in regulated, high-stakes environments. At the same time, the next advantage is emerging at the intersection of AI and quantum computing—especially for optimization, planning, and resource allocation at scale. Turning that promise into deployable capability takes more than tools: it requires engineering rigor, security-minded delivery, and builders who can operate in real mission contexts.
This event is for people who want to do hands-on work—designing, building, integrating, and operating modern AI systems (and preparing for quantum-ready approaches) in a production environment.
Who should attend

Full-stack engineers, platform engineers, and cloud engineers
AI/ML engineers, applied scientists, and data engineers
MLOps/AIOps, DevSecOps, and automation/orchestration practitioners
Systems thinkers who like solving hard problems end-to-end—from prototype to production
Students, early-career technologists, and experienced hires interested in Knoxville’s innovation ecosystem

What you’ll learn

What CGI does in Knoxville and how our teams deliver real outcomes
How we’re advancing agentic AI orchestration across modernization, greenfield development, and operations
Where quantum-ready thinking fits today (and what “practical” looks like)
How to engage: open roles, interview process, and ways to stand out

Hiring note
Some roles may require U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain a security clearance (role-dependent). Bring questions—and if you have a portfolio, GitHub, or project demos, feel free to share.

Founder Friday
2026-04-17 09:00 - 10:00 | 121 Tech Hub, 121 E Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37915
Hosted by Haseeb “HQ” Qureshi, Founder Friday features fireside chats where entrepreneurs share their stories, insights and advice, helping students connect with the startup community beyond the classroom.
Apr 17 | Nick DeVore (Lush Drop Beverage Co.)

Southeast Venture Showcase
2026-04-20 - 2026-04-21 | Renaissance Nashville Hotel
The Southeast Venture Showcase is a transformational event that empowers research universities and federal laboratories across the Southeast to showcase their most promising technology ventures for the nation’s venture community.
This exclusive showcase is where investors and early-stage technology ventures come together to accelerate the productization of cutting-edge research that drives real-world impact and create stakeholder value.

Taste of Small Business Kingsport
2026-04-20 17:00 - 19:30 | MeadowView Convention Center
On Monday, April 20th, from 5:00 to 7:30 PM at MeadowView Convention Center, the Taste of Small Business Kingsport brings together 21 of the city’s restaurants, food trucks, coffee shops, and vendors for a one-night sampling experience that is exactly what it sounds like. You walk in, you eat, you meet the people behind the food, and you leave knowing more about your own city than when you arrived.
The participating restaurants include:

Bellafina
Betty’s Stockyard Cafe
Center Street Grill
Chef’s Pizzeria
Chocolate Elegance
Cornucopia
Fusion
Krazy Chicken
Le Brique Bistro
Milly’s Authentic Jamaican Restaurant
Momma D’s
Ole Crow Tavern
Sloopy’s Diner
SmashedMeals
Tacos el Mariachi
Taste & See Charcuterie
Taylored Venue & Events
The Reserve
The Wired Whisk
Urban Brews & Creamery.

RGK Food Incubator Workshop Info Session
2026-04-20 17:30 - 19:00 | Pellissippi State Community College: Magnolia Avenue Campus, 1610 East Magnolia Avenue, Knoxville, TN, 37917, United States
Take the next step toward building a sustainable food business. Attend our final required 2026 info session to learn about the Real Good Kitchen Foundation’s Food Business Incubator Program.
Built for early-stage entrepreneurs, this program supports you in formalizing your business, refining your model, and growing from concept to a fully operating venture.

TTU Faculty Innovator Showcase
2026-04-22 | Tennessee Tech University
The Faculty Innovator Showcase is a signature annual event that celebrates and elevates the groundbreaking work of Tennessee Tech researchers. Hosted by TN Tech’s Tech Transfer and powered by the Tennessee Technology Advancement Consortium (TTAC), the Showcase brings together campus innovators, industry professionals, government partners, and regional stakeholders for a day of discovery, networking, and opportunity.
This is more than a poster session or a presentation — it’s a stage for ideas that shape our economy and society.
Itinerary
Free and open to the public—no registration required.

5 p.m. – 6 p.m. – Tradeshow (poster session): Presenters will demonstrate their technologies to the public.
6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Presenters will give five‑minute presentations outlining their technology, the problem it solves, the market opportunity, and planned next steps.

Presenter Registration
Tennessee Tech faculty or staff with an innovative project, research application, or early‑stage invention may register to present. Projects do not need to be patented to qualify. Whether you are developing a new technology, exploring commercialization pathways, or simply interested in sharing your work with a wider audience, the Faculty Innovator Showcase is your opportunity to highlight your work and engage with the public. Registered participants will receive additional information and instructions after completing registration.

Gain Exposure: Present your innovation to decision-makers from industry, government, and economic development sectors.
Spark New Collaborations: Build relationships with potential research, funding, and licensing partners.
Receive $1,500 Non-instructional/extra pay: Faculty presenters who have submitted an invention disclosure will receive $1,500 in non‑instructional (extra) pay in recognition of their participation. Faculty presenters without a submitted invention disclosure will receive $1,000.
Support Your Commercialization Journey: Showcase participation often aligns with TTAC Proof of Concept grant submissions, invention disclosures, and patenting milestones.

Can the Public Attend?
This event is open to the public at no cost (no registration required). This is an open-door opportunity to see what’s next at Tennessee Tech — and be a part of it. Who should attend:

Faculty Innovators across all disciplines — from engineering and science to the arts and humanities.
Students interested in research, entrepreneurship, or career pathways in innovation.
Industry, Government, and Ccommunity Leaders looking to connect with new technologies, university talent, and applied research.
Economic Development Professionals focused on tech-based growth and partnerships.

Past Highlights
Previous showcases have featured inventions in clean energy, AI and data science applications, assistive technologies, sustainable agriculture, education innovations, and more. Presenters have gone on to secure grants, licensing deals, patents, and strategic partnerships proving the Showcase is more than an event, it’s a launchpad.

PYA Ballard Innovation Award (invite only)
2026-04-22 16:00 - 18:30 | PYA, 6016 Brookvale Ln, 6016 Brookvale Ln, Knoxville, Tennessee, 37919
The PYA Ballard Innovation Award is East Tennessee’s largest, annually awarded, combined cash and in-kind services prize for early-stage companies. Named after entrepreneurship advocate Tom Ballard, the competition provides $50,000 to the top winner, fostering innovation by supporting companies with proven concepts, revenue, and high growth potential.

AI Summit @ The Square Room
2026-04-23 | The Square Room, 4 Market Square, Knoxville
AI goes to WORK! A t-shirt-friendly summit focused on real-world AI applications and implications inside real businesses.

More Signal, Less Noise is a t-shirt-friendly summit focused on real-world AI applications and implications inside real businesses.
Let’s get real, folks. We’ve all seen and heard the AI hype. We’ve all scrolled past the “it’s not just ___, it’s a ____ movement and this will change your life forever” LinkedIn posts, and read the doomsday “This will be like Terminator but actually worse” manifestos. Maybe you’ve written some of them yourself. But inside real organizations, from the factory floor to the C-suite, the questions around AI are remarkably similar:

What should we actually do?
What should we ignore?
What happens when this hits real operations?
What exactly is “AI” and why should we care?

What You’ll Experience:
Real-word use cases, conversations and Q&A from our region’s most successful companies, including: Red Stag I Bush Brothers I Clayton Homes I Avero Advisors I Pet Safe I Ancient Lore Village
Intellectual Property, Privacy, and Security in the age of AI, a live legal professionals panel hosted by Haseeb Qureshi, founder of ForthLaw
Opening Keynote: “More Signal, Less Noise” from life-long entrepreneur, community leader and Fighting Shape Impact Co. Founder Chris McAdoo
Closing Remarks and Big Predictions from Marcus Blair, event creator and founder, CoreIQ
Happy Hour to follow. Lets keep the conversation going.
When & Where
Date: April 23, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM (doors open) – 6:00 PM
Location: The Square Room 4 Market Square, Knoxville, Tennessee
The Square Room offers an intimate, central downtown location designed for real conversation – not auditorium distance. Expect an engaged room, not a passive audience.
Tickets
General Admission: $30 plus applicable fees(Includes full program + post-event happy hour) Space is intentionally limited to keep the room conversational and high-signal.
Who Should Attend
If you are accountable for results (not just headlines), this room is for you.
Your Hosts
Marcus Blair
Founder, CoreIQ
Chris McAdoo
EMCEE & Founder, Fighting Shape Impact Company
Full Speaker list to be announced soon!
Interested in supporting or partnering? Supporters will be aligned with:

Enterprise and mid-market decision-makers
Operators actively deploying AI at scale
A room focused on implementation, NOT spectacle

Contact: Marcus Blair
marcus@omegadigital.us
865.214.7686
