Last Chance | Apply to pitch at the 2025 “865 Fest”
Applications are being accepted for two pitch competitions; the deadline to apply is on Friday.
There’s one key event each year in Knoxville that brings together the entire entrepreneurial and innovation community. Formerly known as Startup Day, the celebratory event has been re-branded as 865 Fest.
The 865 Fest is organized by the Innov865 Alliance, which decided to shift the event from a partial-day to a full-day schedule. This is particularly due to the increased entrepreneurial activity in the region!
The new format will feature visionary keynotes, two premier pitch competitions, thought-provoking panels, and more.
Doors at Bridgewater Place, the new venue, will open at 8:30 a.m. EDT on September 16 for a networking breakfast and registration. Programming will begin at 9 a.m. EDT. Lunch will be provided.
At the conference, six Knoxville start-ups will pitch before a live audience and panel of judges in hopes of winning the Judges’ Choice Award and the Crowd Favorite Award, totaling $15,000 in cash prizes.
Applications to be considered for that competition, as well as the second annual Emerging Entrepreneur Pitch Competition for college student entrepreneurs or graduates in the past year, are being accepted through 11:59 p.m. EDT June 27 at this link.
Registration for the inaugural 865 Fest is now open. You can buy your tickets here.
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