The Messenger
January 11th, 2023
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Applications are OPEN for KEC's 2023 What's The Big Idea Pitch Competition!
The pitch competition you know and love is BACK! KEC is excited to announce that applications for the annual pitch competition, What’s The Big Idea?, are officially open as of January 11th, 2023. This year’s virtual competition will bring together five teams, five ideas, all competing for the $10,000 grand prize.
The competition will take place over the span of a single weekend, March 3rd - 5th with an in-person finale event on March 5th. Do you have an idea that could be the next big thing? Want a chance to work with mentors to dial in your pitch? What’s The Big Idea could be the event for you!
You can read more about the schedule, what we're looking for, and submit your application on our website! Applications are open until February 3rd, so don't wait to submit your Big Idea!
MORE INFO + APPLY >>
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KEC's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Impact Survey
We need YOUR voice to make Knoxville the most founder-friendly city in America! KEC has put together a survey to learn more about our strengths, opportunities for improvement, and most of all, the needs of our entrepreneurial community. The survey only takes about seven minutes, and will help guide our strategic vision and tactical planning over the next few years. The survey is also easier to complete on a desktop.
Thank you so much, and we look forward to hearing your insights! If you have any questions about the survey, please email us at hello@knoxec.net
TAKE THE SURVEY >>
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Small Town Entrepreneurship x ETSY Craft Entrepreneurship
Kicking off February 2nd!
KEC created a curriculum approved by leading e-commerce platform, Etsy, to equip creative people in underserved communities with the knowledge and skills to start Etsy businesses and earn primary or supplemental income through their craft. Craft sellers represent an untapped source of economic strength in many of the rural communities of Tennessee, and we are excited to host two classes exclusively for rural and small town entrepreneurs.
We’ll be hosting two ETSY CEP cohorts for rural and small town entrepreneurs, specifically in the following counties: Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Scott, and Union. If you know anyone in these counties that might benefit from attending ETSY CEP, please share this information with them!
LEARN MORE + APPLY TODAY >>
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LaunchTN Summer Internship Program: Call for Companies
What is the Summer Internship Program?
The Summer Internship Program is an opportunity for Tennessee's startups to give college students hands-on experience.
LaunchTN will provide:
Intern recruitment from 58 universities across the state, Curated matchmaking of interns and available internship opportunities from our host companies, Partially subsidized intern stipend, and Networking & professional development opportunities for selected interns
This program is designed to support Tennessee-located startups, venture funds, and LaunchTN's Network Partners. If your company is interested in hosting an intern and would like to learn more about the program, please fill out this interest form.
Companies interested in hosting a LTN intern must submit the interest form by Monday Jan 30
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FREE 5-Day Workshop from The Creative Architect
Hosted January 16th- January 20th
This is a virtual training to meet you right where you are.
Struggling to start? Started but don't know how to keep building? Need guidance on how to elevate your client experience?
Then this training is for YOU!
Spend 5 days with Kandis and let's go back to the beginning and revisit the basics of your business.
Click the link to access the deets and reserve your spot now:
https://backtobasics.thecreativearchitect.com/
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Knox Writers Presents: Writing Goals & Commitment
January 18th | 9 AM | KEC Office
This month's program is focused on making a commitment to your vision as a writer. Do you want to have a daily writing practice? Are you hoping to be published for the first time? Is this the year you finish your novel, screenplay, or poetry chapbook?
Let us guide you through a process of envisioning your writing year and creating realistic goals based on your capacity with interactive workshop-style exercises.
Join a growing community of writers to improve your skills, become more successful, and make connections with people who understand the challenges of writing. No matter where you are on your writer’s journey, you can benefit from the synergy of a supportive group and overcome the isolation that often overwhelms writers working alone.
RSVP >>
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2023 Developing Value-Added Agriculture Businesses | Webinars + Workshops
Educational program to teach farmers with value-added enterprises about resources and funding opportunities as they plan and develop a competitive application for the USDA Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG).
There is no registration fee for any of the webinars or workshops, but pre-registration is required. Lunch is provided at the workshops. Registration for the workshops is required 5 business days in advance. Register online for the webinars and workshops at tiny.utk.edu/TCLUt
January 24, 2023 Webinar
(8–11:30 a.m. CST / 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. EST)
Webinar will include: Overview of VAPG, Tips for developing a strong proposal, Lessons learned from a VAPG recipient, More tips for developing a strong application, Preparing for VAPG proposal, VAPG review and scoring overview, Preparing the VAPG application one section at a time, and Question/answer session.
In-Person Workshops
The same information will be presented at each workshop location. The workshops will provide tips for developing a VAPG application, line-by-line instructions, insight as to how applications are scored and lessons learned from a previous VAPG recipient. Developing a strong application for the USDA Value-Added Producer Grant Program
January 12 Workshop l Coalmont, TN
(9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. CST)
January 13 Workshop l Newport, TN
(9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. CST)
Contact Troy Dugger at 931-486-2777 or pdugger2@utk.edu with questions about the webinars and workshops.
MORE INFO + REGISTER >>
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