KEC announces participants in ninth iteration of “The Works” accelerator
The Knoxville Entrepreneur Center (KEC) has announced the six start-ups that will participate in the ninth iteration of “The Works” program.
Launched by KEC in 2014 as “MediaWorks,” the start-up accelerator for regionally-based early stage technology, media and consumer goods companies runs from June 22 to August 31. Through its eight previous iterations, the program has graduated more than 60 start-ups, including some of the area’s fastest growing companies such as Lirio, RDI Technologies, QuantumLock, Lunchpool, and Smart RIA.
The goal of “The Works” program is to promote and accelerate the success of a burgeoning start-up community in East Tennessee by guiding participating companies through the business development process, while connecting the teams with potential strategic and financial partners. During the course of the 11-week program, the participating start-ups will receive more than $50,000 worth of services, consulting, and potential financing. In years past, the program has continued beyond the summer into monthly work sessions across the rest of the year.
Many of the teams invited to participate in the 2022 edition of “The Works” are alumni of other KEC programs like “What’s The Big Idea? Pitch Competition” or have been involved with other communities within KEC like the “Women in Entrepreneurship” group. “It’s great to see these companies that we’ve become familiar with through our various events and programs come back for our annual summer accelerator,” said KEC Operations Director Delaney Boyd.
The six teams are:
- Sequense, founded by Alexandra Tucker, Kimber Falkinburg, and Megan Habig. It is a task management tool for modern travel agents. Sequense participated in “What’s The Big Idea 2022.”
- Realtyless, founded by siblings Brandon Small, Mariel Small, and Ryan Small, is a software for listing and buying “For Sale by Owner” properties. Realtyless also participated in “What’s The Big Idea 2022.”
- Trucking Kit, founded by Nick Richards, is a software platform that simplifies the fuel tax return process for truck drivers.
- BusiCard, founded by Jonathan Henry and Tihomir Nikolic, is a revolutionary mobile application helping professionals manage their business contacts and business cards.
- Shippage, founded by Weslen Lakins and Austin Yardley, is a crowd-sourced delivery and returns service.
- The Social Brand, founded by Victory Harbin, is a digital marketing firm in Knoxville that is expanding into the marketing software world with the project name coming soon.
“The Works” programming will be led by executive coaches Bob Camp and Melissa Camp, with additional guidance and support from a highly experienced team of mentors, industry experts, and guest speakers.
