KEC launches “Inflection Point” program to help start-ups accelerate revenue growth
Five entrepreneurs have been selected for the inaugural class of the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center’s (KEC) “Inflection Point” initiative that kicks off this month.
Designed to help area companies accelerate their revenue growth, the 13-week program includes an intensive planning process, monthly and quarterly sessions with mentors and subject matter experts, and an updated “Local Executive Access Program” (LEAP).
“Knoxville’s start-up ecosystem has really grown and evolved in amazing ways over the last several years, and we have some incredible companies at the earliest stages of their growth trajectory,” said Jim Biggs, KEC’s Executive Director. “With input from a variety of community members, we’re excited to reboot our programs to support growth-stage companies.”
The five members of the first class are Alex Abell of Lunchpool, Mac Bartine of SmartRIA, Preston Garland of ENTREOS, James Horey of ReviewBox, and Tommy Nguyen of StoragePug. Ironically, each of those companies was spotlighted in the past year in teknovation.biz.
According to the announcement right before the holidays, only four to six entrepreneurs will be selected for each “Inflection Point” class to ensure that KEC, its mentors, and its subject matter experts can provide a personalized experience for each entrepreneur. The organization plans to welcome one or two cohorts annually.
The 13-week intensive program coincides with a calendar quarter, a typical planning increment for startup Chief Executive Officers. Programming will be exclusively focused on devising customized growth plans for the participating companies with an emphasis on topics like strategy, talent, cash, operations, and sales. The monthly and quarterly sessions will enable KEC and the entrepreneurs to measure their progress in implementing the growth plans and overcome challenges.
KEC also noted that the revised LEAP program, which matches start-ups in the area to potential buyers of their products and services, will be a permanent fixture rather than a calendar-based event. It will be available to graduates of “Inflection Point” and any past, present, or future start-up client of KEC.
