News Summary
Knoxville is excited to host the 865 Fest on September 16 at Bridgewater Place. This revamped festival showcases the startup ecosystem with pitch competitions, keynote speakers, and networking opportunities. Participants can win cash prizes totaling up to $15,000, and the event welcomes students for free. Applications are now open for startups and emerging entrepreneurs eager to showcase their innovations.
Knoxville’s 865 Fest Returns With Revamped Format, Location, and Exciting Competitions on September 16
Knoxville is set to host the newly rebranded 865 Fest on Tuesday, September 16, at Bridgewater Place in West Knoxville. This year’s festival will feature a full day of programming designed to celebrate the city’s vibrant startup ecosystem, welcoming investors, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and community members.
The event has evolved from its previous incarnation as Startup Day in Knoxville, which has attracted hundreds of participants each year. The revamped festival aims to continue the tradition while enhancing the experience with startup pitch competitions, keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and panel discussions. The signature startup pitch competition, now in its thirteenth year, will see six of the top startups from Knoxville vying to impress a panel of judges and a live audience.
Participants in the pitch competition stand to win substantial cash prizes totaling up to $15,000. The winners will be determined through two distinct awards: a $10,000 Judges’ Choice winner selected by the panel of judges and a $5,000 Crowd Favorite Award chosen by the event attendees through voting. In addition, the festival will feature an emerging entrepreneur pitch competition, directed towards students and new graduates, organized by the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Highlights of the Event
- Date: September 16
- Location: Bridgewater Place, West Knoxville
- Competitions: Startup pitch competition and emerging entrepreneur pitch competition
- Total Cash Prizes: Up to $15,000
- Application Deadline: Competitions open for applications until June 27
- Traction Award: Presentation to a Knoxville entrepreneur with significant achievements since participating in Startup Day
Registration and Ticket Information
Event registration for 865 Fest has recently opened, with early bird tickets available for $50 until July 31. After this date, general admission will rise to $75. Students can attend for free by registering beforehand. Interested individuals can find further details and purchase tickets through the official festival website.
Background Context
The festival’s rebranding and updated format reflect Knoxville’s commitment to supporting its entrepreneurial community. The Innov865 Alliance has emphasized the importance of celebrating the hard work and achievements of the city’s entrepreneurs. The 865 Fest will serve as a platform to foster networking opportunities and provide valuable insights into the state of business in Knoxville.
Applications for both the startup pitch and emerging entrepreneur competitions are now being accepted, inviting local innovators to showcase their business ideas and gain recognition. This initiative aims to uplift the startup culture and encourage growth among budding entrepreneurs in the region.
As anticipation builds for the event, Knoxville is poised to reaffirm its status as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. Those interested in participating should mark their calendars for September 16 and prepare to celebrate the dynamism of the local startup community.
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Additional Resources
- Knox News: Knoxville May Expand Festival Locations
- Knox TN Today: Plan Ahead for Vestival
- Oak Ridger: Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge’s International Festival
- Inside of Knoxville: Pier 865 Sculpture Unveiled
- Knox Focus: 10th Annual Rocky Hill Christmas Parade Festival
- Wikipedia: Festival
- Google Search: Festivals in Knoxville
- Google Scholar: Knoxville Festivals
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Festival
- Google News: Knoxville Events
Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE WRITER
KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER The KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKnoxville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Knoxville, Knox County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Dogwood Arts Festival, Big Ears Festival, and Knoxville Asian Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership and United Way of Greater Knoxville, plus leading businesses in healthcare, education, and energy that power the local economy such as Covenant Health, University of Tennessee, and Tennessee Valley Authority. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
