865 Fest ready to spark Knoxville’s startup scene
This month, Knoxville’s 865 Fest (formerly known as Startup Day) will write a 14th chapter.
Scheduled to take place Tuesday, Sept. 29 at Bridgewater Place in West Knoxville, 865 Fest will feature “a full day of programming,” according to a release, including startup pitch competitions, fireside chats, breakout sessions and panel discussions.
“This event invites investors, entrepreneurs, business leaders and community members to celebrate Knoxville’s vibrant and ever-growing startup ecosystem,” the release stated. “Each year, hundreds of attendees participate in Knoxville’s premier entrepreneurial event.”
This year’s edition will feature a fireside chat with Knox County Mayor Betsy Henderson with City of Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon set to provide welcoming remarks.
Other event programming will include three feature panels focused on three topics: how industry is advancing quantum technologies, supporting commercialization, growing high-wage jobs and building the talent pipeline needed for the future, presented by Three Roots Capital;
Knoxville’s emergence as a nationally recognized destination city, and the role that food plays in attracting visitors, talent and investment, presented by Visit Knoxville; the ups and downs of growing a business and how entrepreneurs in East Tennessee operate, manage, and scale their businesses, as discussed by 865 Fest pitch alumni.
There also will be two breakout session rooms, presented by PYA and LocallQ. These will cover various topics designed to inspire and equip entrepreneurs and connect them with resources to help them succeed.
865 Fest’s signature startup pitch competition will once again feature six of Knoxville’s top startups.
In this competition, founders will pitch their companies before a panel of judges and a live audience for a chance to win up to $15,000 in cash prizes. Attendees will vote for their favorite startup to win the $5,000 Crowd Favorite Award, and judges will select the $10,000 Judges’ Choice winner.
Judges for the event include Rachel Mehta, partner & VP of sourcing for She’s Independent Investments; Michael Dirla, principal at Greater Sum Ventures; Mike Thibodeaux, VP of business services at Comcast.
Moreover, the Innova865 Alliance, which spearheaded 865 Fest, announces six startup companies to pitch that reflect “Knoxville’s diverse entrepreneurial spirit,” the release stated. These are Aquafer Technologies, New Horizon Precision, Applied 2D Materials, DataRook, Fibarcode and AtomQ.
For the third consecutive year, there also will be an emerging entrepreneur pitch competition for students and new graduates, organized by the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the University of Tennessee. Startups in this competition will compete for a $3,000 cash prize.
The event will feature the presentation of the annual Traction Award, given to a Knoxville entrepreneur who has made significant traction since participating in Startup Day. This award will be presented by AXLE Logistics.
“Investors, entrepreneurs and business leaders look forward to 865 Fest every year,” said Breanna Hale, executive director of the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and Innov865 Alliance member. “Knoxville’s signature startup event is a day in which we celebrate the innovation and the ever-growing startup ecosystem in our region. The event showcases the resources available to entrepreneurs in the area and why East Tennessee is a great place to start and grow a business.”
Doors for the event will open at 8:30 a.m. EST on Tuesday, Sept. 29, for a networking breakfast and registration. Programming will begin at 9 a.m. and lunch will be provided for attendees.
Registration is now open, and the general admission price is $100. Tickets will be available to students at no cost.
To purchase tickets visit https://www.innov865.com/event/865-fest-2026
