Applications for the 2026 Cohort of The Works Accelerator are Open!
THE WORKS is designed to accelerate high-potential startups by focusing on customer insights, industry connections, and investment readiness.
Over nine weeks this summer, founders will engage with industry leaders, seasoned mentors, and investors, gaining the tools and confidence to refine their business models, strengthen go-to-market strategies, and craft an investable pitch deck.
Dylan Jones, Managing Partner and Founder of BoldSquare, will be the 2026 WORKS Lead Growth Advisor.
The WORKS Summer Accelerator runs from July 13th â September 9th.
Learn more at the link in our bio.
#KnovilleEntrepreneur #KnoxvilleSmallBusiness
... and the winner of the 2026 What's the Big Idea Pitch Competition is Megan Quigley of PrepSolo!
After 48 hours of planning and prepping with her team of mentors, our judges awarded Megan Quigley the grand prize of $10,000!
Mentors:
Joel Smith, @teachcraftio
Josh Wright, Architects Wright, Wright Makers LLC
Jess Wright, Architects Wright, Wright Makers LLC
J. Rachel West, @jrwconsultingllc
Andria Yates, ALY PhD Consulting
Charley Sexton, @moxcar Marketing & Communications
Founder: Megan Quigley @megjqui
Team: Kim Quigley @mommaquigley , James OâNeill
Thank you to everyone who attended our live finale and to all the folks who participated this weekend!
We will be sharing more photos soon.
Photos By: @elijahlightfootphotography & @holly__rainey
What Would You Like to Learn?
Social media is constantly evolving, with new trends, features, and strategies emerging all the time. As we prepare for an upcoming Social Media Workshop at KEC, weâd love your input!
What topics, platforms, or skills would you be most interested in learning about during the workshop? Whether itâs creating engaging posts, growing your audience, understanding features, or scheduling content, we want to tailor the session to what matters most to you. Please take a moment to let us know in the comments below.
As Chief Operating Officer at @knox_ec , Courtney Hendricks @stillhendricks channels her creative roots into strategic leadershipâshaping operations, programming, and community partnerships that empower Knoxvilleâs makers, doers, and innovators.
Courtney in a nutshell:
đ Halloween queen
đ¨ Spray paint + charcuterie enthusiast
đ Repurposes old dolls into fever dreams
đŁââď¸ Multi-day river trip survivor
đż Plant collector
đ¸ Curator of weird bathroom photos
⨠Makes impossible ideas happen somehow
She's powered by 90s R&B, wabi sabi, immersive experiences, and pure chaotic creative energy.
Courtney's unique background in brand development and experience design gives her an intuitive grasp of what entrepreneurs need: clarity, connection, and creativity.
Sheâs passionate about building inclusive spaces and sustainable systems that help people thrive.
đ¸âźď¸Weâre launching a new Panel Seriesâźď¸đď¸Welcome to Financial Foundations âď¸
Through some conversations at our past meet ups, weâve consistently heard, ânavigating financialsâ as a pressure point in the Knoxville artist community. As a gigging musician, itâs easy to let the finance numbers get away from you. We want to help!
Join Knox Music Coalition on Tuesday, May 19 from 6:30â8 PM at Flock Beer & Wine (@flockbeerwine ) for a FREE panel discussion: Intro to Taxes & Investments for Artists.
Whether youâre a full-time musician, creative freelancer, or side hustler in the gig economy, this conversation is designed to help you better understand the financial side of your work.
Featuring:
⢠Nate Kinowski, EA â Owner of Tax Friend (@natekinowski )
⢠Tyler Hays â Founder of Vessul Creative (@imtylerhays )
Free to attend. All are welcome, we hope to see you there! đĽ
Say Howdy to Kelsi Walker @heythisiskelsi , Knoxville Entrepreneur Center's Marketing Director!
Kelsi is a musician who has released two full-length albums over the last decade. After recently moving to New York, sheâs been balancing songwriting with work in the startup and venture world, including the last 9 months serving on a venture fund screening committee to better understand how capital moves through businesses and ideas.
Sheâs spent the past 3.5 years at KEC, is a die-hard Survivor fan (who else is watching Season 50), and shares life in the Big Apple with two giant dogs and a cat named Wormbrother.
In her free time, Kelsi loves to cook, and especially loves feeding the people she cares about most.
#MeetTheTeam #SurvivorFan
Innovation Night at the Park, on Wednesday, May 13th, will bring together entrepreneurial ambition, national laboratory research, and university talent.
Here's the full schedule for next week's event:
12 PM: Investor Pitch: $100K Opportunity
2 PM: LEEP Demo Day 2026
4 PM: Coworking + Networking at 121 Tech Hub
5:30 PM: Innovation Showcase on the Concourse
7 PM: One Knoxville SC game
Join 121 Tech Hub for this exciting, inaugural event.
Register now at the link in our bio.
#KnoxvilleEntrepreneur #KnoxvilleSmallBusiness
Weâre so excited to have Martha Weeks join us for the May 12th Women in Entrepreneurship session! She will be leading an interactive workshop on presenting yourself & your business with confidence. RSVP today! đ in bio!
Wondering what's coming up next with KEC?
Here's what we have going on in May!
May 5th â Selling Wholesale: A Maker Panel with @themakercity
May 5th â KEC Mentor Network Happy Hour at @rickys.bar.knox (Open to all for networking)
May 8 - Maker Space Applications Close
May 12th â @wieknoxville monthly meet-up
All month - The Maker City Maker Directory Art Show at @ijamsnaturecenter
Visit KEC's website for links to register and for more information.
#KnoxvilleEntrepreneur #KnoxvilleSmallBusiness
Applications are open for @realgoodkitchen Foundation's Food Business Incubator Program!
The first six months of the program are dedicated to module-based, business classroom sessions led by food and business experts. This portion of the program ends with a transitional interview demonstrating what youâve learned.
After completion of required homework & milestones, you will have access to RGKâs shared commercial kitchen at a reduced cost to make your products and will participate in regular self-paced activities and accountability milestones that will help you meet your business goals.
If you are ready to take the next step and launch your food business, please visit RGKF's website to learn more.
#RealGoodKitchen #KnoxvilleSmallBusiness #KnoxvilleFood
Makers looking to get out of the garage or living room and into a studio, take a sec to learn about the Maker Space Scholorship Program! đ
Weâre connecting Makers with local studio spaces, educational resources and opportunities. đ¨
Mayorâs Maker Council Members, including Melody Ratliff of @abletradeknox , have worked together to make this happen in #Knoxville aka The Maker City! đş
#Knoxville
