Innov865 Week’s premier event is Startup Day, an annual pitch competition and celebration of Knoxville’s thriving entrepreneurial community on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.

At the competition, entrepreneurs will showcase their startups to a panel of venture capitalists, angel investors and industry leaders. Pitches will be followed by a judges' Q&A about their business and why they chose to grow their company in Knoxville.

What is Innov865 Week?

Innov865 Week is a weeklong celebration of Knoxville’s entrepreneurial spirit that brings together startups, entrepreneurs, makers, investors, business leaders, students, and community leaders across East Tennessee for educational panels, pitch competitions, investor roundtables, and social events. It is presented by the Innov865 Alliance, a coalition that develops, supports, and promotes the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Divided into five tracks, Innov865 Week highlights various elements of the Alliance’s mission to develop, support and promote the Knoxville region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and its collaborative effort to celebrate and showcase Knoxville as a great place for all entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses and increase access to capital. The five tracks include innovation, education, maker, culture, and investors.

Learn more about the Innov865 Alliance, the event, and sponsorship opportunities.