Communities

It’s an exciting time to be part of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Knoxville. From food trucks to tech startups, makers and innovators, we’re here to help you take the next step in your business – and to welcome you into the most founder-friendly city in America.

#MadeforKnoxville

#MadeforKnoxville is a storytelling initiative led by Knoxville Entrepreneur Center to shine a spotlight on Knoxville’s diverse entrepreneurial community – ranging from “solopreneurs“, makers, growth stage tech companies, investors, and established institutions.

Experience the stories

The Maker City

The Maker City is the greater Knoxville-area community of makers, artists, creatives, and small-scale manufacturers and supporting entities. Led by the appointed Mayor’s Maker Council, we create collaborative partnerships, programming, and opportunities in support of Knoxville’s maker community. And we have the most active maker directory in the country with over 400 members and growing.

Visit the Maker City

Let Her Speak

The vision for Let Her Speak includes not only creating community through our curated-events, but also conducting female-focused research and developing workshops to help women with communication, confidence, and financial literacy. Our mission is to bring more visibility, support, resources, and opportunities to ALL aspiring female leaders one-woman-at-a-time.

Visit Let Her Speak

Women in Entrepreneurship

Women in Entrepreneurship is a monthly forum and active Facebook group for women entrepreneurs hosted at KEC that offers speakers, workshops, networking, and mentorship.

Join the community

Startup Knox

Startup Knox is a podcast and local initiative to help startups launch and grow in Knoxville. Get access to the first-of-its-kind Startup 2020 Ecosystem Guide, a Startup Directory, an Investor Directory, a curated Startup Events calendar, and a Newsletter Collective.

Bunker Labs

Bunker Labs Knoxville literally planted their flag at KEC to be a local hub that provides community, programs, and courses to help military veterans and military spouses start and grow successful businesses and startups.

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