Knoxville Entrepreneur Center Unclaimed

Accelerates high-potential startups with a focus on growth and investment readiness.

Launch your business idea with a practical five-week program designed for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Inspires entrepreneurial action through a competitive pitch event with a $10,000 prize.

Empowers entrepreneurs to successfully scale their businesses through structured guidance and actionable insights.

Empower your brand with clarity, confidence, and impactful growth strategies.

Empowers entrepreneurs with actionable insights to enhance their online sales.

Empower entrepreneurs with practical marketing resources and community-driven sessions for smarter marketing.

Empowers founders to optimize fundraising strategies through expert mentorship.

Provides AgTech startups with valuable mentorship for growth and success.

Empowering Black-owned businesses in Knoxville to thrive and grow.

Connect with experienced mentors to support your entrepreneurial journey.

Empowering makers to build profitable businesses through community support and resources.

Cohort-based programs that accelerate early- and growth-stage startups through customer discovery, investor readiness, industry connections, and intensive mentorship.

Structured mentor networks and matching programs that connect founders with verified, domain-expert advisors for ongoing guidance and office hours.

Short-format, curriculum-driven courses and workshops that teach practical skills for launching, marketing, branding, e-commerce, and scaling operations.

Targeted programs that combine capital access, corporate partnerships, mentorship, and resources to grow minority- and Black-owned businesses.

Services and community platforms for makers, artisans, and small-scale manufacturers offering directories, peer learning, events, and business support.

The Works Startup Accelerator

The Works Startup Accelerator is an eight-week intensive program designed to accelerate high-potential startups by focusing on customer insights, industry connections, and investment readiness.

• Enhance Funding Opportunities
  Equips startups with the necessary tools to attract and engage investors effectively.
• Enhances Product Market Fit
  By focusing on customer insights, startups can better tailor their offerings to meet market demands, improving overall success potential.
• Build Valuable Networks
  Access to a network of industry experts and investors accelerates growth and opportunities.
• Fast-Track Your Startup
  This focused timeframe helps startups develop quickly by providing structured guidance and mentorship.
• Foster Collaboration
  Engage with fellow entrepreneurs in a supportive environment, allowing collaboration and mutual growth.

Starting Your Business 101

Starting Your Business 101 is a five-week intro-level business development course that helps aspiring entrepreneurs put ideas into action.

• Supportive Environment for Beginners
  The program fosters a collaborative setting for individuals to refine their business ideas with guidance from experienced entrepreneurs.
• Transform Ideas Into Action
  Participants engage in hands-on activities that facilitate the implementation of business concepts and strategies.
• Comprehensive Five-Week Course
  Structured sessions covering essential business skills and knowledge, allowing participants to develop their plans effectively.
• Build Connections With Like-minded Individuals
  Participants will connect with peers, potential mentors, and local resources to build a sustainable business network.

What’s The Big Idea?

What’s The Big Idea? is a business start-up pitch competition designed to inspire entrepreneurial action, featuring public voting, finalists, and a prize of $10,000, with winners advancing to a KEC business development program.

• Enhances Pitch Quality
  Ensures finalists present their best ideas confidently and effectively during the competition.
• Offers Significant Incentive
  Motivates entrepreneurs to develop innovative ideas and refine their business models.
• Supports Growth
  Equips winners with the tools and mentorship needed to turn their ideas into successful businesses.
• Engages the Community
  Allows the community to actively participate in supporting innovative ideas and entrepreneurs.
• Builds Networking Opportunities
  Encourages collaboration among participants, enhancing their support network.

Growing Your Business 201

Growing Your Business 201 is a five-week program that helps entrepreneurs grow and scale, with a curriculum that covers strategic view, growth activities, and performance mindset.

• Instill a Performance-driven Mindset
  This focus creates awareness of performance metrics and fosters a culture of accountability and growth.
• Reassess Business Foundations
  This initial assessment helps entrepreneurs align their strategic vision with actionable goals, ensuring a strong foundation for growth.
• Focus on Essential Growth Activities
  Participants learn to discern which activities lead to effective growth, allowing targeted resource allocation.
• Apply Learning to Real Businesses
  This hands-on approach ensures that participants leave with actionable strategies tailored to their unique business environments.
• Facilitates Business Growth in Five Weeks
  This structured duration allows entrepreneurs to engage deeply with their business challenges and apply solutions in real-time.

Brandcamp

Brandcamp provides business owners and founders with a deep understanding of brand development and branding strategy through high-energy, interactive sessions led by experts.

• Access to Branding Professionals
  Participants gain insights and feedback from experts who have experience building successful brands.
• Strengthens Market Position
  Through guided instruction, participants learn how to effectively position their brand in the market, ensuring recognition and differentiation.
• Aligns Strategy With Goals
  Participants develop a tailored brand strategy that aligns with their specific business goals and market expectations.
• Fosters Active Participation
  Offers hands-on activities that reinforce branding concepts, promoting retention and application of learning.

Expert E-Commerce Class

Expert E-Commerce Class is a practical five-part series designed to help entrepreneurs and makers build confidence in selling online, including live site audits and hands-on guidance.

• Provides Comprehensive Learning
  Engage in a structured learning format that covers essential e-commerce strategies over five sessions.
• Enhance Online Sales
  Learn actionable strategies for attracting and retaining customers in the digital marketplace.
• Receive Direct Feedback
  Get real-time evaluations of your online presence, allowing you to optimize the user experience effectively.
• Increase Engagement
  Utilize visual content to capture customer interest and convey product value effectively.
• Optimize Operations
  Understand crucial aspects of pricing and shipping to enhance profitability and efficiency.

Marketing Mondays

Marketing Mondays is a program offering marketing-focused resources and sessions, including in-person events and curated posts to help entrepreneurs market smarter.

• Engage in Interactive Learning
  Participants can attend interactive sessions designed to deepen their understanding of marketing strategies.
• Learn from Industry Leaders
  Entrepreneurs benefit from insights and real-world strategies shared by successful marketers and business leaders.
• Enhance Marketing Knowledge
  Entrepreneurs gain access to valuable marketing insights curated from industry experts.
• Utilize Effective Marketing Tools
  Participants receive access to valuable resources that simplify marketing efforts through effective tools and strategies.
• Consistent Learning Opportunities
  Regularly scheduled sessions provide ongoing marketing education, keeping entrepreneurs informed of the latest trends.

Inflection Point Capital

Inflection Point Capital is a three-week intensive designed to help growth-stage founders cut through the noise, refine their investor narrative, and confidently structure the right funding strategy.

• Develop Compelling Investment Pitches
  Participants refine their pitches to resonate with what today’s investors are seeking, resulting in stronger engagement during fundraising.
• Learn Essential Financial Tools
  Participants gain critical insights into managing cap tables and understanding valuation metrics to aid negotiations.
• Craft Tailored Funding Roadmaps
  Founders will leave the program with a clear plan to navigate their fundraising journey effectively, considering various funding alternatives.
• Enhance Financial Narratives
  Founders develop skills to articulate their financial story compellingly, making their case to investors clearer and more impactful.
• Engage in Focused Learning
  This program respects founders’ time, condensing critical information and practical experiences into a manageable timeframe for busy entrepreneurs.

AgTech Mentor Network

AgTech Mentor Network connects AgTech entrepreneurs with mentors who provide industry-specific guidance and support.

• Connects with Experts
  Engage with seasoned mentors who have deep knowledge of the AgTech sector, offering insights critical to your business development.
• Advances Your Startup
  Receive tailored guidance from industry veterans focused on nurturing your business growth and steering you toward success.
• Prepares for Funding
  Equip yourself with essential tools and strategies to create a compelling pitch deck and raise necessary capital.
• Implements Feedback
  Utilizes a stage-gate process for feedback, ensuring startups refine their business models through expert insights.
• Expands Your Network
  Participate in industry events that connect you with potential investors and collaborators, enhancing opportunities for your business.

100Knoxville

100 Knoxville aims to grow minority businesses through deliberate investment of assistance, capital, and corporate engagement, with a goal to grow Black-owned businesses in Knoxville by $10,000,000 in 5 years.

• Increase Business Value
  Aiming to enhance the economic landscape for Black entrepreneurs through targeted growth initiatives.
• Provide Resources
  Connecting Black-owned businesses with essential resources and support structures needed for long-term success.
• Connect with Mentors
  Offering valuable insights from experienced entrepreneurs to help navigate challenges and scale operations.
• Facilitate Corporate Partnerships
  Creating connections between minority businesses and corporate partners to facilitate funding and strategic growth opportunities.

KEC Mentor Network

The KEC Mentor Network connects founders with experienced mentors, offering flexible participation and a range of mentoring options.

• Match With Relevant Mentors
  Founders are paired with mentors who have the relevant experience and expertise to offer tailored guidance.
• Adjust Participation Based On Availability
  Entrepreneurs can schedule mentoring sessions according to their availability and specific needs.
• Choose From Curated Mentor List
  Mentors are verified and recommended by KEC to ensure quality and relevance.
• Schedule One-On-One Mentoring
  Business owners can sign up for individual sessions with various mentors to address specific questions and challenges.
• Build Network Through Community
  Entrepreneurs can engage with other mentees and take part in community events to broaden their network.

The Maker City

The Maker City is a community designed for makers, artists, and small-scale manufacturers in Knoxville, offering workshops, meetups, and support to help them thrive.

• Network and Collaborate
  Participate in maker meetups and summits to connect with fellow entrepreneurs, share ideas, and gain exposure for your projects.
• Gain Valuable Insights
  Engage with experts in lunch-and-learn workshops that help enhance business skills and foster community connections.
• Discover Local Talent
  Find and connect with local makers, fostering collaboration and community support in Knoxville.
• Receive Local Support
  Engage with local government initiatives that promote and nurture the maker economy.