UTRF provides and/or sponsors educational opportunities, networking events, pitch competitions and other resources to help you move your innovation to market.
Mentorship and Training Resources:
NSF Innovation Corps at the University of Tennessee
The Innovation Corps (I-Corps) was created in 2011 by the National Science Foundation (NSF), in an effort to support technology researchers as they move innovation beyond the lab and into the marketplace. As part of the I-Corps South Node, the University of Tennessee offers education and other support to introduce the regional research community to the national I-Corps Program.
Three Roots Capital
Three Roots Capital is a provider of impact capital products and advisory services that creates successful outcomes for client companies, and attractive returns for financial partners. They fuel sustainable business growth by providing capital, connections, and expertise.
UTRF Checkerboard Portfolio
The UTRF Checkerboard Portfolio is a collaboration between UTRF and Three Roots Capital to support and mentor UT affiliated startups. The program features insightful events, ongoing support, and resources for local entrepreneurs and the startup business community.
Innov865 Week
Innov865 Week is a week-long series of events that showcase Knoxville as a prime destination for startups and entrepreneurs. It features multiple entrepreneurial opportunities and features a Startup Day Pitch competition with a cash-prize award for the winning presenter(s).
Launch TN
As Tennessee’s only statewide collaborative startup network, LaunchTN is positioned to provide all the resources entrepreneurs, small-business owners, inventors, and investors need.
Knoxville Entrepreneur Center
KEC’s mission is to build a community where entrepreneurs have access to the capital, customers, and talent they need to be successful. Entrepreneurs are cornerstones that provide economic, social, and cultural value to the communities they are in.
Memphis Bioworks
The Memphis Bioworks Foundation is dedicated to growing the bioscience industry in Memphis and the Mid-South. They offer many services to help entrepreneurs, including an incubator that has an office and wet-lab space to host growing businesses, and accelerators to assist entrepreneurs.
Life Science Tennessee
Life Science Tennessee is a statewide, non-profit, member organization whose mission is to advance and grow the life science industry in Tennessee through advocacy, partnerships, and alignment with economic and workforce development.commitment to advocacy, economic development, workforce development and networking.
Southeast Life Sciences
Southeast Life Sciences has merged The Southeastern Medical Device Association and Southeast BIO (SEBIO) to develop a streamlined network for innovation in bioscience and medtech across the Southeast.
Pitch Competitions (Training/Workshops/Bootcamps)
ACEI Vol Court
Vol Court is a six-week entrepreneurial speaker series that culminates in a pitch competition where attendees put what they’ve learned into practice by presenting their business ideas to a panel of successful entrepreneurs for a chance to win $1,500 in cash, office space in the UTRF Business Incubator and various professional services.
ACEI Boyd Venture Challenge
The Boyd Venture Challenge is a seed-fund grant competition conducted in the spring semester each year. Any UT student-owned (doctoral, masters, undergraduate) business is eligible to apply, and it is open to all UT Knoxville students regardless of academic discipline or degree program. Companies are awarded up to $30,000 in startup capital. Funds may be awarded to one company or split among several companies
ACEI Graves Business Plan Competition
The annual Graves Business Plan Competition aims to strengthen the entrepreneurial culture and spirit across the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The competition allows participants to enhance their understanding of new venture creation, polish their communication skills, minimize the risks involved in creating a sound business plan, and network with other entrepreneurially-oriented students, successful local entrepreneurs, and potential investors. Students compete to win start-up capital for an original business idea. Prizes are awarded in two business categories: growth and lifestyle.
Launch TN 36|86
The mission of 36|86 is to bring southern thinkers, founders and investors together by hosting an annual event in Nashville and inviting a national audience to participate in the experience. This event gathers incredible startup businesses, proven business leaders and strategic investors for a celebration of entrepreneurship and southern culture. Ultimately, this event becomes a platform connecting the “doers,” the “makers,” and the “innovators” in the southeast, around the country, and across the globe. Participants compete for $50,000 in prize money.
Innov865 Startup Day
Startup Day is an annual event that showcases Knoxville as a destination for startups and entrepreneurs. The event is part of Innov865 Week which is hosted by the members of the Innov865 Alliance: The University of Tennessee Research Foundation, Oak Ridge National Lab, Launch Tennessee, PYA, Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, and The Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Winners receive cash prizes.
KEC: What’s the Big Idea – 48 Hour Launch
Shark Tank Meets Lock-In: “What’s The Big Idea?!” is the event for you. Compete to win up to $10k in expense reimbursement in a 48-hour weekend business pitch competition.
Additional Startup Resources:
UTRF works with a number of local groups across the state who are dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship and technology commercialization.