CO.LAB x gener8tor Sustainable Mobility Accelerator Kickoff
2025-04-08 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Five Wits Brewing Company | 1501 Long Street, Chattanooga, TN, 37408
Some of the top talent in sustainable mobility is coming to Chattanooga, TN!
Join The Company Lab and gener8tor as they welcome the five founders taking place in the Spring 2025 “Sustainable Mobility Accelerator” program.
Meet the founders by RSVPing here.
🗓 April 8th, 2025
⏰ 5:00 PM EST, presentations begin at 5:30 PM EST
📍 Five Wits Brewing Company | 1501 Long Street, Chattanooga, TN, 37408
hashtag#cleantech hashtag#mobility hashtag#accelerate hashtag#startups

PYA's Ballard Innovation Award Ceremony
2025-04-16 15:00 - 17:00
The Ballard Innovation Award is the largest gift of cash and in-kind services available to East Tennessee entrepreneurs and startups—a reflection of PYA’s commitment to the region.

Anderson Center - Founder Fridays
2025-04-25 09:00 - 10:00 | 121 Tech Hub, 121 E Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37915
Fridays, February 28th , March 28th , April 25th from 9-10 @ 121 Tech Hub
Join Haslam Professor and Entrepreneur, Haseeb Qureshi, as he interviews startup founders at 121 Tech Hub. Come prepared for interesting discussions and great networking! Register here.

Knoxville Women in Tech Networking Happy Hour - May 2025
2025-05-01 08:00 - 17:00 | Bella, 121 West Broadway Avenue, Maryville, TN, 37801, United States
Make new connections with Knoxville’s women in tech community! We’ll be gathering for a laidback happy hour at Bella, a modern Italian cafe in Maryville.
Enjoy come-and-go networking from 4:30-6:30pm in a relaxed atmosphere with appetizers and drinks generously provided by our sponsor, Patriot Talent Solutions.

Founder Friday 4.0 with Randy Boyd | Knoxville
2025-05-02 09:00 - 10:00 | 121 Tech Hub, 121 E Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37915
Haseeb Qureshi, also known as “HQ,” is a Professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) and a member of the 121 Tech Hub. He is the founder of the startup Entreheart.Ai. He is also known for connecting UTK entrepreneurship students with Knoxville’s startup ecosystem before graduation.
In the final installment of the Founder Friday series this semester, HQ sits down with Randy Boyd, the founder of Radio Systems Corporation and current President of the University of Tennessee System. Randy is an entrepreneur whose company grew to employ over 1,400 people worldwide and a public servant who has championed education access across Tennessee.
Watch more: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJHmsgDRtbd/

Rocky Top Business Awards in Knoxville
2025-05-02 17:00 - 21:00
The Rocky Top Business Awards recognize the fastest-growing businesses owned or led by alumni. The Rocky Top Business Awards are presented by PYA.

https://alumni.utk.edu/awards/rocky-top-business/

Chattanooga Entrepreneur Week 2025
2025-05-05 - 2025-05-10
Building on the legacy of Startup Week CHA (2014 – 2021), Chattanooga Entrepreneur Week (CEW) continues to empower our community with a dynamic, business-focused event that celebrates innovation, collaboration, and growth. In 2024, we reimagined the event as a community-wide collaboration, and in 2025, we’re taking it to the next level .
The Chattanooga Business Resource Collective (BRC) was born in 2023 from a shared vision: to create a stronger, more connected entrepreneurial community in Chattanooga. As a coalition of organizations, individuals, and advocates, we came together to provide business support, technical assistance, and resources to empower local entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Impacting Students in the 865
2025-05-07 12:00 - 13:30 | Bearden High School, 8352 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN, 37919, United States
Inspire the next generation of tech professionals with 865 Academies Student Experiences.
Industry partners are needed to provide work-based learning opportunities for students in Knox County high schools. At this event, you’ll:

Learn more about the 865 Academies model and how it’s shaping the workforce of tomorrow
Connect directly with Academy Coaches to explore specific opportunities at their schools
Discover how even small engagements can lead to big outcomes for both students and your company

Join us for lunch with a short info session on the positive impact this program is having and how you can get involved.
Following the presentation, you’ll be able to connect directly with Academy Coaches to discuss the specific opportunities at their schools.
About 865 Academies
The 865 Academies program operates career-themed academies at Knox County high schools to provide students at all grade levels with work-based learning opportunities.
Guaranteed Student Experiences (GSEs) give students hands-on exposure to careers in their chosen pathway, including Industry Experiences (similar to field trips), Job Shadows, and Capstone Projects.
Currently, 2,077 GSEs are needed in technology-related pathways with a focused gap of 152 Job Shadows and Capstones in four academies focused on Coding, Cybersecurity, and Technology.

University of Tennessee Innovation Corps Wrap-up Session
2025-05-07 16:00 - 18:00
The I-Corps (Innovation Corps) program is an initiative by the National Science Foundation (NSF) designed to help researchers translate their scientific discoveries into commercial products and startups. It provides training, mentorship, and funding to academic researchers, entrepreneurs, and startups to explore the commercial potential of their innovations.
The final installment for the Spring 2025 cohort will take place virtually on 5/7.

Powered By Her Lunch & Learn (Cookeville)
2025-05-08 12:00 - 13:00
oin us for this month’s Powered By Her Lunch & Learn! It’s an open, energizing discussion where you’ll discover business hacks that save you time, boost profits, and help you stay on top of it all. From automation tools and time-saving tricks to mindset shifts and practical strategies, you’ll walk away with fresh ideas that you can start using right away. Plus, enjoy a free lunch courtesy of BRIK’s All Good Nutrition while connecting with other amazing women business owners.
Seats are limited, so reserve yours today! Don’t miss the chance to share your best tips, learn from others, and level up your business.

Pathways To Capital: East Region
2025-05-08 16:30 - 18:30 | 121 Tech Hub, 121 E Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37915
Welcome to the Pathways To Capital: East Region event! Join us for an evening of networking and learning about different pathways to capital for your business. This event will take place on Thur, May 08, 2025 at 4:30 PM at the 121 Tech Hub, 121 E. Jackson Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37915. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with other entrepreneurs and investors in the East Region. See you there! This is a Tri-Star Angels Program (TAP) Event.
Who Should Attend?

Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses
Investors
Foundations
Donor Advised Funds
Economic Development Groups
Local Citizens

Refreshments will be served.

Knoxville Entrepreneur Center Open House
2025-05-08 17:30 - 19:30 | Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, 17 Market Square
Join the KEC as they provide an “orientation” for the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center. The team will discuss upcoming classes, programs, and Knoxville ecosystem resources.
If you are new to Knoxville and looking to get connected to the KEC community, this is the event for you!

Leadership Knoxville night at Covenant Health Park
2025-05-09 18:30 - 21:00 | Covenant Health Park
Gather with your fellow LK Alumni at the One Knox Soccer Game on the Covenant Health Park Party Deck on May 9th!
Celebrate the end of LK’s class year, watch One Knox’s second Home Game in the Old City, and enjoy a post-game concert and fireworks in partnership with the Southern Skies Music Festival.

Women in Entrepreneurship (WiE) Knoxville
2025-05-13 08:00 - 17:00 | Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, 17 Market Square
Women in Entrepreneurship Content Creation “Field Trip” In and Around Market Square!

Join us on Tuesday, May 13th! In this month’s meeting we will have hands-on stations for content creation and social media mini-workshops set up in the KEC office and around Market Square (weather permitting!)
We will have stations set up for:

Business & Personal Branding – Amanda Wolfe, Grow Co Lab
Mobile Phone Social Photography – Pheme Marketing
Mobile Phone Video Content – Hannah Basht, Trov Creative
Content Planning & Canva Tips – Halee Sprinkle, Czech Yourself Marketing

Nashville AI Week
2025-05-14 - 2025-05-16
Nashville AI Week is the community-powered ‘unconference’ that brings together local, regional, and national leaders to explore the future of artificial intelligence in the Nashville region — and beyond!
The three-day event includes featured and keynote speakers, panels and workshops, networking events, innovation showcase, and plenty of opportunities for attendees and sponsors to network, learn, share, and grow.
AI Week is powered by Enterprise Technology Association, The Innovation Studio, and a coalition of community partners — and it’s not too late to get involved!

Register to attend: https://www.nashvilleaiweek.com/agenda

Lunch & Learn (Virtual) - Chattanooga
2025-05-14 12:00 - 13:30
Tech Goes Home Tennessee, a program of The Enterprise Center in Chattanooga, partners with schools, public libraries, churches, nonprofits, and other organizations across Southeast Tennessee to offer free computer classes to help residents develop the skills and access necessary for technology and Internet use. By uniting people, organizations, and technology, we are working to build a more advanced and connected future for all of Tennessee. Come learn about the program directly form the people running it!

Nashville Entrepreneur Day
2025-05-15 13:00 - 18:00 | Geodis Park, 501 Benton Avenue, Nashville, 37203
Join us for Nashville Entrepreneur Day, a celebration of innovation, entrepreneurship, and community impact in Nashville and around the world!
We’re honored to welcome Mayor Freddie O’Connell and Commissioner Stuart McWhorter (Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development) as our opening speakers—underscoring entrepreneurship’s importance to our city and our state.
This event is for you if you’re a potential investor, advisor, community supporter, fellow entrepreneur, or simply curious about Nashville’s innovation scene.
Whether you’re building your own venture or looking to invest in the next big idea, this is your chance to connect with Nashville’s most promising startups—all in one place, all in one afternoon. The Nashville Entrepreneur Day brings together 92 companies and 115 founders from five of the Nashville Entrepreneur Center’s accelerator programs to pitch their businesses to prospective customers, investors, connectors, and the community. Nashville’s entire entrepreneurial ecosystem will come together to learn, celebrate, and support what’s next. From creative ventures to consumer brands, health and wellness to fintech, this event is your front-row seat to the startups shaping the region’s future—all while reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones.

Growing Together: Women's Business Summit
2025-05-16
Join us for a day of inspiration and growth with Erin Stafford, author and leadership expert, in this exclusive masterclass designed for female professionals. Learn powerful strategies to overcome burnout, shift your mindset, and achieve peak performance while maintaining balance in both your career and personal life.
Erin will share insights from her diverse career, including her work with top brands like Apple and Nike, and her experience leading marketing for a major healthcare staffing company. You’ll walk away with actionable tools to boost performance and resilience, and connect with other like-minded women in a supportive environment.
Don’t miss this opportunity to thrive without compromising your well-being.

Applications close for the Spark Cleantech Accelerator
2025-05-16
The Spark Cleantech Accelerator is a 12-week program that kicks off late August at the UT Research Park in Knoxville, Tennessee. The 2025 Spark Cleantech Accelerator will begin on Aug. 25, 2025 and end on Nov. 20, 2025. The program provides mentorship, connections, stipends, prototyping services, and business acceleration services to early stage cleantech entrepreneurs to help commercialize new innovations.
Applications Close May 16th!

Small Business & Entrepreneur Conference (Putnam County)
2025-05-16 08:00 - 17:00 | 6000 Tennessee Avenue, Cookeville, TN 38506
Running a business is hard—we get it. That’s why this one-day conference was built for folks just like you. Whether you’re feeling stuck or just ready to grow, this event will give you the tools, tips, and connections to keep moving forward.
You’ll learn from breakout sessions on the stuff that matters: marketing, IT, legal, finance, and even AI (we’ll make it make sense).
What’s included:

A keynote session with former Disney exec Vance Morris (yes, the guy behind the “Dine with a Character” magic)

A professional headshot booth (get that polished look for your LinkedIn or website)

A chance to connect with 100+ local entrepreneurs

Breakfast, lunch, snacks, drinks, and Wi-Fi (yep, it’s all covered)

VIP ticket holders get an exclusive dinner + workshop with Vance the night before

KTech Mix & Mingle at the Visit Knoxville Open
2025-05-20 16:30 - 18:30 | Holston Hills Country Club, 5200 Holston Hills Rd, Knoxville, 37914
Join the Knoxville Technology Council at the Visit Knoxville Open for a very special networking event!
Mix & mingle in the Holston Hills Clubhouse while enjoying the sweeping views along with open bar & appetizers. Then settle in for an exclusive opportunity to meet & greet with surprise special guests.
PLUS all attendees will receive a daily admission pass to come back out to the tournament—you don’t want to miss this!
Early Bird Registration is active for employees of KTech member companies. Email admin [at] knoxtech.org to receive the access code. Registration will open for all on Tuesday, May 6.

The Business of Music Panel Knoxville
2025-05-20 18:00 - 21:00 | Visit Knoxville Visitors Center, 301 S Gay St, Knoxville, TN, 37902, United States
Claim your ticket for a special live event that explores the powerful connection between music, business, and community-building, right here in Knoxville.
Hosted by Chris McAdoo, the evening kicks off with a viewing of Episode 4 from KEC’s newest podcast season: “You Gotta Find Your People”—a candid and inspiring conversation between acclaimed artist Drew Holcomb and emerging singer-songwriter Kelsi Walker.
After the screening, stick around for a dynamic Music Business Panel moderated by Garrett Thompson of Knoxville Music Coalition, featuring local leaders in the industry as they share insights, challenges, and real stories about building a life—and a legacy—in music.
This is your backstage pass to the heart of Knoxville’s creative community.
Free and open to the public.

Chamber Briefing Breakfast
2025-05-21 09:30 - 10:30 | Knoxville Chamber, 17 Market Square
The Knoxville Chamber and TenHats would like to invite new investors, new team members of investors, community members, and anyone who wants to hear more about our mission to join us for the Chamber Briefing Breakfast.
We will share more about what is going on in economic development, regional enhancement, and talent retention and attraction efforts.
Investors who are already familiar with the Chamber’s work or have attended a briefing in the past year might not need to join this session.

2nd Annual RJ Young Tech Connect in Nashville
2025-06-03 15:00 - 19:00 | Ole Red 300 Broadway Nashville, TN 37201
Join us at RJ Young’s Tech Connect, where technology and networking merge. Connect with experts, forge valuable business relationships, and immerse yourself in the technology businesses across the country are using to modernize their offices. Take advantage of having our top partners from around the country in one space to see the latest technologies first-hand.

Our 2025 Tech Connect event will be held at “Ole Red” on the Honky Tonk Highway in downtown Nashville. This venue has a lot of unique offerings, such as the glam-meets-grit rooftop bar with views of lower Broadway, live music, scratch-made Southern dishes, and signature drinks…all inspired by the boss man himself: Blake Shelton.

Attendees will have uninterrupted access to the city’s best nightlife, while enjoying an authentic Nashville experience. With event space covering 26,000 square feet, guests can enjoy the perfect combination of sophisticated spaces, roomy gathering areas, and laid-back hangouts. Join us for this 4-floor takeover of “two-steppin,’ hell-raisin,’ country-lovin’ fun” with RJ Young!

City of Knoxville's 16th Annual Business Opportunities Breakfast
2025-06-10 07:30 - 11:00 | 500 Howard Baker Jr. Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37915.
Network & connect with City of Knoxville and partner agencies while learning about business opportunities planned for the next 12-18 months.
In celebration of our 16th anniversary of the breakfast, we’re rolling out a new format for this years event. The focus of this year’s breakfast will be allowing space for the business attendees and department representatives to have one-on-one conversations to talk about the upcoming procurements and projects, as well as the projected small dollar spend opportunities they have planned for the next fiscal year. While those conversations are taking place, attendees waiting to connect will be able to view the department slide presentations, containing both your large and small upcoming project/spend which will be displayed in the background.
Some of the participating departments include: Engineering, Police, Fire, Fleet, Purchasing, Housing & Neighborhood Development, Parks and Recreation, and Public Service.
In addition, officials from Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation, the Public Building Authority, Knoxville Area Transit, Knoxville Utilities Board, ASM Global, and the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority, will be on hand to outline their projects and business needs.
Address: 500 Howard Baker Jr. Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37915.

Women in Entrepreneurship (WiE) Knoxville
2025-06-10 09:00 - 10:30 | Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, 17 Market Square
Women in Entrepreneurship Knoxville, or “WiE” is a community of nearly 2000 women entrepreneurs that hosts regular monthly meet-ups and is an active Facebook Group community.
The monthly meetup takes place on the 2nd Tuesday of Every Month from 9:00 – 10:30 am at KEC, 17 Market Square, Suite 101, Knoxville, TN 37902.

THE WORKS 2025 Kickoff Happy Hour
2025-06-11 17:30 - 19:00 | Maple Room, 414 S Gay St, Knoxville, TN, 37902, United States
A 1.5-hour informal networking session with THE WORKS founders, mentors, and community members.

Knoxville Chamber Shrimp Boil 2025
2025-06-12 17:00 - 19:00 | Lighthouse Knoxville, 6800 Baum Drive
his 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.

Brandcamp for THE WORKS Accelerator in Knoxville
2025-06-18 08:30 - 15:00 | Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, 17 Market Square
Brandcamp leads local Knoxville companies through a series of class sessions and activities in order to help business owners and founders understand the process of brand planning, including market research, the development of a brand platform, customer discovery and the exploration of the customer journey, persona-based messaging and channel planning.
The objective of this program is to provide business owners and founders with a deep understanding of the importance of brand planning, and to equip them with the necessary tools and skills to develop a brand plan that will help set their companies up for success.

The Women & Shora Foundation - Crown Pitch
2025-06-19 18:00 - 21:00 | 2119 E Magnolia Ave
Join The Women and Shora Foundation at the 2025 Crown Pitch Competition — where excitement, inspiration, and celebration collide! ✨
🗓️ When: Juneteenth – June 19, 2025
💵 Prize: A total of $10,000 up for grabs! 💸
We’re celebrating Black excellence and entrepreneurship as business owners pitch their ideas for a chance to win BIG! 🙌 This is more than a competition—it’s a community celebration showcasing the incredible Black-owned businesses right here in Knoxville! 🖤
Come early to get a seat and enjoy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. Doors open at 5:30 PM
