UT Tailgate with Launch Tennessee
2025-11-15 13:30 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Circle Park on the University of Tennessee, Knoxville campus.
Join LaunchTN and The University of Tennessee on Nov. 15 for a festive pre-game tailgate experience at UT Knoxville, designed to foster connections within the startup ecosystem.
Enjoy great food, drinks, and tons of Tennessee team spirit while connecting with fellow entrepreneurs, innovators, and supporters of the Knoxville startup community, all in preparation for cheering on the Vols as they face off against New Mexico State.
RSVP by Thursday, Nov. 7 to confirm your spot, space is limited!

Life Science Tennessee Convention (LSTCON)
2025-11-18 08:00 - 19:00 | Westin Hotel, Nashville, 807 Clark Place, Nashville, Tennessee, 37203
LSTCON is a powerful gathering for life science industry leaders to share the latest innovations moving the industry forward

Life Science Tennessee presents LSTCON, an annual conference that brings together Tennessee‘s life science ecosystem to collaborate, learn, and build meaningful connections across the state.
Join us on November 18 to hear from state and national industry leaders and researchers about topics that affect life science companies daily. The day will conclude with the crowd favorite Venture Forum where life science startups will pitch their prospective companies to the full conference audience for a chance to win $10,000!
Check out the website to stay up to date on speakers, panels, and announcements for the conference.

Opportunities in Energy - Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council
2025-11-19 09:00 - 17:00 | Crowne Plaza Knoxville Downtown University, an IHG Hotel, 401 West Summit Hill Drive Southwest, Knoxville, TN, 37902
The Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council will hold its annual Opportunities in Energy event on Wednesday, November 19, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. ET at the Crowne Plaza in downtown Knoxville.
This all-day event invites members and stakeholders to hear about new and innovative “opportunities” in the advanced energy sector, including trends, businesses, technologies, partnerships and initiatives.
At the event, TAEBC will present a state or local leader with the annual Thomas B. Ballard Advanced Energy Leadership Award. The award honors exemplary leadership and success in championing, connecting, and strengthening Tennessee’s advanced energy economy.
Attendees will receive breakfast, lunch and refreshments throughout the event. A networking happy hour will follow the event programming.
If you are a presenting supporter, event supporter, student, startup, government official, speaker, or Gold or Platinum TAEBC Member, please email mallory@tnadvancedenergy.com or sjohnson@piper-communications.com to receive your free promo code.

Startup Jumpstart 🚀 | UTC Entrepreneur Panel
2025-11-19 15:30 - 16:30 | Max Fuller CIE, MAPP Building, 2nd Floor UT at Chattanooga
Exciting upcoming panel at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga on Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 3:30 PM – for every student (or future founder!) who’s ever said, “I want to start a business, but I don’t know where to begin.”

Join us for Startup Jumpstart: Turning Ideas Into Action, featuring an incredible lineup of Tennessee founders and resource partners who are sharing real stories about how they took the first step:
🎙️ Panelists:
Jennifer Skjellum – LaunchTN
Lynn Chesnutt – Tennessee Small Business Development Centers (TSBDC)
Krue Brock – Chattanooga Football Club
Hudson Brock – AlloHire
Builder Brock – WAYPOINT
Megan Cales – Sensory Bridges, LLC
💡 In-person: Max Fuller CIE, MAPP Building, 2nd Floor
💻 Virtual: Join via Zoom https://lnkd.in/gPsszgED

Start Here Pitch Competition - Cookeville
2025-11-19 17:30 - 19:30 | 37 Cedar, Cookeville, TN
The Biz Foundry is thrilled to announce the Top 6 Finalists for this year’s Start Here Pitch Competition, happening Wednesday, November 19 at 37 Cedar in Cookeville, TN!
These incredible startups stood out for their bold ideas, scalable business models, and connection to the Upper Cumberland region. Each one is ready to make big waves — and they’ll compete live for cash prizes of $10,000, $5,000, and $2,500, plus the chance to pitch to the Upper Cumberland Angel Investors Fund.
Congratulations to our 2025 Finalists:

Tee Williams of Better Butter Cookie Company

Kent Simpkins of AETIVA Sweetener, Inc

Thomas Robertson of Digithreads

Cindy Malawey of Rebabit Health

Mike Taylor of Volunteer Bulk Transfer

Jay Lefkovitz of ElevateTrak

📅 Event DetailsDate: Wednesday, November 19, 2025Time: Doors open 5:30 p.m. | Competition begins 6 p.m.Location: 37 Cedar, Cookeville, TNMore Info & Tickets: Register Here

Hackathon for Non-profits in East Tennessee
2025-12-02 09:00 - 21:00 | 121 Tech Hub, 121 E Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37915
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Welcome to the Hackathon!

Coffee, bagels, and orientation. Event overview, ground rules, prize criteria, and Definition of Done (demo, Readme, owners, next steps).

10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Team formation and roles

Assign roles: Problem Owner, Team Lead, Builders, Data/Process, Storyteller.

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Discovery sprint

Map current process, users, data; define success metrics. Output: Problem Framing Canvas.

11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Solution sketch & scope

Brainstorm and select a Minimum Lovable Prototype (MLP); define one-page build plan.

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Lunch

Catered lunch in the 121 Tech Hub kitchen

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Build Sprint #1

Develop the core workflow; use sample/sanitized data; ident

3:00 PM – 3:15 PM
Break

Reset and refresh

3:15 PM – 4:30 PM
Build Sprint #2

Develop features tied to success metrics; stabilize basics.

4:30 PM – 5:00 PM
User Checkpoint

Nonprofit lead tests prototype; capture top 3 changes.

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Build Sprint #3

Polish. Apply feedback, finalize workflow, and prepare Readme.

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Dinner

Catered dinner in the 121 Tech Hub kitchen

7:00 AM – 7:30 AM
Demo Prep

Refine presentation: problem, approach, demo, impact, next steps (1–2 slides).

7:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Handoff & Setup

Finalize Handoff Packet with links, instructions, and owners.

8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Presentations & Prizes

5-min demo + 2-min Q&A per team. Judged on usability, impact, feasibility, clarity. Celebrate!

Access to Capital for Small Businesses — Helping Small Business Navigate Funding with Confidence
2025-12-10 08:00 - 09:00 | Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, 1400 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, 37830, United States
Access to capital is one of the most crucial and often misunderstood aspects of running or growing a small business. Many Tennessee entrepreneurs walk in with strong ideas and real determination, but they often feel lost when it comes to funding: Which lenders should they approach? What does the SBA actually guarantee? How much cash flow do they need? What documents are required? This workshop is designed to help TSBDC clients and prospective clients cut through the confusion and understand how the capital process truly works.
Speaker(s): Stephen W. Williams, MBA, Director of TSBDC at Roane State Community College

Nashville Investors and Innovators
2025-12-11 18:00 - 20:00 | Nashville Entrepreneur Center, 41 Peabody St, Nashville, TN 37210
​Black Dog Venture Partners VC Fast Pitch and The Emerging Managers Podcast invite you to Investors and Innovators in Nashville!
​​Connecting and networking with private equity firms, family offices, VCs, angel investors and top innovators.
​​Date: Thursday, December 11, 2025 6pm-9pm.
​Location: Nashville Entrepreneur Center, 41 Peabody St, Nashville, TN 37210 RSVP at https://lu.ma/y7sttzmj
​​Enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres in a relaxed environment with top emerging investors and innovators.
​Questions? Send email scott@blackdogvp.com

Oak Ridge Chamber's Annual Awards Gala: Celebrating the Future
2026-01-09 18:00 - 22:00 | Oak Ridge Conference Center
The Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce invites you to step into the future at our Annual Awards Gala, taking place in January 2026. This year’s theme embraces futuristic innovation and artificial intelligence, reflecting the Chamber’s vision for a forward-thinking Oak Ridge — a community and business network poised to thrive in the years ahead.
Experience an evening where technology meets elegance, with chrome and silver décor, neon blue accents, and high-tech touches inspired by the cutting-edge world of AI and robotics. Guests will enjoy immersive visuals, curated music, and interactive elements that highlight the possibilities of the future while celebrating today’s achievements.

Economic Outlook with Dr. Don Bruce
2026-01-14 09:00 - 10:00 | Knoxville Chamber, 17 Market Square, Knoxville
Join the Knoxville Chamber for an economic forecast from Dr. Donald Bruce, Boyd Distinguished Professor at the Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Known for his objective, non-partisan policy research and evaluation under contracts with an array of government agencies at the federal and state levels, Dr. Bruce will provide a national perspective on current economic trends.

Knoxville Chamber | How businesses can partner with ORNL to drive economic development
2026-01-16 09:00 - 10:00 | Oak Ridge National Laboratory Manufacturing Demonstration Facility, 2350 Cherahala Boulevard, Knoxville, TN, 37932
Discover how your business can collaborate with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to accelerate innovation and economic growth in our region. Join us for an informative session exploring partnership opportunities, research collaborations, and technology transfer programs that help businesses of all sizes leverage ORNL’s world-class resources.
Attendees will learn how to connect with experts, access cutting-edge technologies, and take advantage of programs designed to support entrepreneurship, commercialization, and workforce development.
Whether you’re a startup, small business, or established company, this event will show you how partnering with ORNL can fuel your next stage of growth.

Protecting Innovation: Insurance Solutions for Life Sciences
2026-01-20 17:00 | Epstein Becker Green – Nashville Offices, 1222 Demonbreun St., 9th Floor, Nashville, TN
This session will focus on insurance considerations that life science startups should understand early—from risk management to coverage strategies as companies scale. We’re excited to kick off the 2026 Edu Series with this important and often under-discussed topic.

The event will be immediately followed by networking as part of the Beer & Biotech – please also register for that.

Angel Investing 101 - Chattanooga
2026-01-29 12:00 - 13:00 | Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce, 811 Broad St #200, Chattanooga, Tennessee, 37402
Curious about how angel investing works? Want to invest in local companies? Join VentureSouth Chattanooga for Angel Investing 101!

VentureSouth has been angel investing in Chattanooga for four years — and across the southeast for two decades.
You do not need to be a finance expert, multi-millionaire, or sports franchise owner to be an angel investor.
This session provides an overview of what angel investors do and why you might want to consider investing in southeastern startups.
Please join Venture South at the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce, 3rd floor, at noon for an introduction to Angel Investing

Maker City Summit
2026-01-30 - 2026-02-01 | Maker Exchange in World’s Fair Park at the Marriott Knoxville & Tennessean Hotels
For a whole decade, makers, dreamers, and doers have been coming together at The Maker City Summit to build businesses, spark ideas, and cheer each other on. And this year, we’re celebrating 10 years of Making Space: space for creativity, for community, and for the next big thing.
Through speakers, workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, you’ll learn how to scale your business, attract customers, and build a sustainable brand.

No matter if you’ve been at this for years or you’re just dipping your toes in, there’s a seat saved for you. Our lineup’s as diverse as the makers themselves — from painters to potters, brewers to bakers, performers to fabricators. Whether you’re a part-time hobbyist or a full-time entrepreneur, this is where you’ll learn, be inspired, and connect with folks who get what it means to build something from scratch and pour your heart into it.

2026 Regional Legislative Agenda Breakfast
2026-01-30 07:30 - 09:00 | Hilton Knoxville Airport
Each year, local chambers collaborate to create a regional legislative agenda that reflects shared priorities for state-level advocacy. Join the chambers on January 30th to learn about the finalized agenda during a special program.

Morning Momentum: Developing and Promoting Your Business
2026-02-04 08:30 - 09:30 | Maple Hall, 414 South Gay Street, Knoxville, TN, 37902
Morning Momentum is the Knoxville Chamber’s monthly series designed to connect seasoned business leaders & entrepreneurs experiencing growth challenges. It returns for 2026!

Life Science Venture Program Education Series
2026-02-10 15:30 - 17:00 | UTK Center for Precision Health
This session will be led by members of the Avantor team and will walk through key considerations for startups building or expanding lab space — including lab layout and design, equipment and furniture selection, budgeting and timelines, and common pitfalls to avoid when setting up an early-stage lab.
👉 Registration & event details: Eventbrite Registration

Beer & Biotech Knoxville Meetup
2026-02-10 17:00 - 19:00 | Calhoun’s on the River
Join Life Science TN members and life science professionals for a Beer & Biotech networking reception

Join Life Science Tennessee in Knoxville at Calhoun’s On The River for a Beer & Biotech industry networking opportunity. Enjoy a complimentary drink and light bites while meeting researchers, postdocs, entrepreneurs, and representatives from East Tennessee’s growing biotech landscape. It’s a great opportunity to discover exciting local innovations, build meaningful relationships, and spark new business opportunities.
The Beer & Biotech will immediately follow the Life Science Venture Program’s monthly educational series. February’s session will cover how to build your lab as a life science startup with Avantor. Those wishing to attend the LSVP session can learn more and register here.

Capitol Connections - Knoxville
2026-02-27 08:00 - 09:00 | Knoxville Chamber, 17 Market Square
Join the Knoxville Chamber for Capitol Connections with Tennessee General Assembly Representatives. Learn what’s happening on the Hill during a discussion with representatives from Congress. They will share their priorities for 2026 and current business issues within our community.

MARCON Conference
2026-03-02 - 2026-03-05 | Knoxville Convention Center
MARCON (Maintenance and Reliability Conference) is an annual conference hosted by the University of Tennessee’s Reliability and Maintainability Center (RMC). It brings together industry leaders, professionals, and academics to share best practices in maintenance, reliability, and asset management.
You’ll explore proven methodologies, learn how to diagnose and prevent failures, and get hands-on experience with techniques you can apply as soon as you return to your facility. From planning and scheduling to predictive technologies, asset management, and continuous improvement, our workshops are designed to meet you where you are—and help you level up.

Morning Momentum Knoxville Chamber
2026-03-04 08:30 - 09:30 | Maple Hall, 414 South Gay Street, Knoxville, TN, 37902
This monthly series takes place every first Wednesday 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.

Invest: Nashville 4th Edition Leadership Summit + Report Launch!
2026-03-05 08:00 - 11:00 | Bridgestone Arena, 501 Broadway, Nashville, Tennessee, 37203
Join us at the Invest: Nashville 4th Edition Leadership Summit for insights and networking with top industry leaders!

Get ready to dive into a morning filled with inspiration, networking, and growth at the Invest: Nashville 4th Edition Leadership Summit.
Join us at Bridgestone Arena to connect with industry leaders and gain valuable insights from our expert panel discussions. Bringing together hundreds of Nashville’s business and regional leaders to discuss the challenges and opportunities for businesses and investors.
Light breakfast and refreshments available.

Pinnacle Business Awards
2026-03-05 16:00 - 18:00 | 9133 Hunter Valley Lane, Knoxville, TN 37922
The Knoxville Chamber, in conjunction with Pinnacle Financial Partners, will announce the winners of the 2026 Pinnacle Business Awards on Thursday, March 5. The annual Pinnacle Awards celebrate regional business excellence, honoring outstanding professionals in nine categories for their contributions to the greater Knoxville economy.
RSVPs appreciated

Quantum in Action: Research Commercialization, Talent, and Tennessee’s Advantage
2026-03-10 10:00 - 14:00 | Wolford Family Athletic Center at The University of TN Chattanooga 720 E. 4th St. Chattanooga, TN 37403
On March 12, CO.LAB, UTC Gary W. Rollins College of Business Max Fuller Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, UTC College of Engineering and Computer Science, and UTC Quantum Center will convene researchers, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and university partners for a half day event at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Wolford Center focused on one question: how does quantum research become real-world economic impact?
Hosted in partnership with the Max Fuller Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and presented as part of CO.LAB’s Quantum Activation Series, the event will spotlight practical pathways for quantum commercialization—connecting academic research, emerging startups, and industry use cases across Tennessee. The program is supported by the Tennessee Technology Advancement Consortium (TTAC) and IonQ, and held in collaboration with Tennessee Tech University.

Tennessee Housse at SXSW
2026-03-13 - 2026-03-15 | Tennessee
Returning to SXSW 2026, the Tennessee House showcases what’s happening in tech and homegrown innovation across the Volunteer State. Meet the creative minds and makers who are powering Tennessee’s startup ecosystem and crafting the future, and enjoy bless-your-heart hospitality infused with local flair.
Friday
We’re kicking 2026 off by celebrating all things Tennessee! Share your Tennessee connection to enter our Opening Night VIP celebration, show your Tennessee school pride, and catch up with our House mascot Rocky the Raccoon. Plus, raise a glass of Tennessee whiskey, and enjoy some iconic snacks from the Volunteer State.
Saturday
Nooga in the morning, Nash at night. Chatt & chill with game-changing startups in quantum and mobility – then add a dash of hot chicken heat as we dive into the sweet spot where innovation meets creativity… Plus, make this a SXSW Saturday night to never forget with Hip Hop Karaoke and a late-night line dancing party for Dolly Parton’s 80th birthday.
Sunday
Start your morning out East with a dynamic look at what’s new in nuclear, and get to know some of Knoxville’s next-gen companies shaping the future. Then, grab your blue suede shoes, head due west, and dive into the Digital Delta! Meet Memphis to uncover why Bluff City is drawing game-changing data centers and innovative startups.

From Idea to Numbers: Can Your Food Business Pay You
2026-03-16 17:00 - 20:00 | Pellissippi State Community College: Magnolia Avenue Campus, 1610 East Magnolia Avenue, Knoxville, TN, 37917, United States
Learn how to turn your food business idea into clear numbers, realistic sales goals, and a path to paying yourself.

Whether you’re just starting out or have been operating on a small scale for a few years, this hands-on workshop helps food entrepreneurs understand the numbers behind a sustainable food business.
You’ll learn how to:

Translate your income goals into realistic sales targets
Understand Profit and Loss concepts (COGS, fixed vs. variable expenses, profit)
Identify startup or growth costs and ongoing fixed expenses
Calculate your break-even point (in dollars and units)
Estimate how long it may take to reach your sales goals
Use a simple Excel spreadsheet to run these numbers

We’ll cover Excel basics as we go and walk through everything step by step—no finance or Excel experience required.
What you’ll need to bring: A laptop and your current numbers if you have them.
Leave with: Clear financial targets and next steps.

Nashville VC Fast Pitch. Pitch, Connect, Fund!
2026-03-17 18:00 - 21:00 | Vanderbilt University
Pitch and network with venture capitalists, angels and accredited investors from throughout the country in Nashville!

Pitch and network with venture capitalists, angels and accredited investors from Tennessee, the southeast and throughout the country at the Nashville VC Fast Pitch on Tuesday March 17, 2026 from 6pm to 9pm at Vanderbilt University.
Over the last 15 years, VC Fast Pitch has hosted 60-plus events around the country, raising over $130 million for entrepreneurs.

Knoxville Chamber Briefing Breakfast
2026-03-18 09:30 - 10:30 | Knoxville Chamber, 17 Market Square, Knoxville
Join us on March 18 at 9:30 am to discover what we do and how you can be part of shaping Knoxville’s future. Whether you’re a new investor, a new team member, or simply curious about our work, this session offers a quick look at how we’re supporting economic development, regional enhancement, and talent attraction across the region.

InvestTN AMA March 2026
2026-03-19 11:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Join us for an interactive session to learn more about our $70M fund, InvestTN.
This 1.5-hour session is designed for entrepreneurs interested in funding opportunities and investors looking to connect with high-potential Tennessee startups.
​Our team will take a deep dive into how the program works, what the process is like, updates on the portfolio, and much more! We welcome all entrepreneurs who may be interested as well as investors in or outside of our ecosystem.
RSVP is required to attend.

Financial Fitness Class: Discovering Credit
2026-03-19 18:00 - 19:00 | 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.
