Startup Day 2021

Startup Day will be hosted at the Mill and Mine in Downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, on Tuesday, October 5, 2021.

Startup Day is an annual “Shark-Tank”-style pitch competition for a chance to win up to $10,000 in cash prizes. Six of Knoxville’s most investable startups will pitch their businesses in front of a panel of expert judges. In addition to the opportunity to spotlight their startup for investors, entrepreneurs will compete for a “crowd favorite” cash prize, presented by Truist.

The event will also feature the Impact Award, presented by Verizon, to a Knoxville entrepreneur who has gained the most momentum over the past few years.

Join us for another great event of celebrating Knoxville’s robust entrepreneurial ecosystem!

COVID-19 protocol

The safety of our attendees, pitchers and speakers is of great importance to the Innov865 Alliance. In light of the high number of COVID-19 cases in our community, the Innov865 Alliance is implementing safety guidelines and taking steps to ensure a safe and engaging Startup Day 2021. The event will take place in person, but our media sponsor, WATE, will also provide live streaming the day of the event. 

Here are the steps the Innov865 Alliance is taking to keep our in-person attendees safe:

• Capacity: Limiting the number of RSVPs to allow for social distancing.
• Masking: Requiring masks be worn while at the venue. We will have disposable masks available onsite.
• Networking: Designating a networking space outside in the venue’s courtyard. All guests will be given a color-coded sticker (green, yellow, or red) to indicate their comfort level for networking. 
• Green: Open to networking without social distancing.
• Yellow: Open to networking at a distance.
• Red: Not open to networking. 
• Sanitation: Providing hand sanitizer for attendee use.
• Food: Serving hors d'oeuvres in individual containers to limit contact.

According to CDC guidelines and for the safety of all guests, we also ask you not to attend if:

• You have symptoms of COVID-19.
• You have tested positive for COVID-19.
• You were exposed to someone with COVID-19 within the last 14 days.

Thank you for keeping Knoxville’s entrepreneurial community safe!