Knoxville Entrepreneur Center - Knoxville, Tennessee

Sherry D.

The Knoxville Entrepreneur Center (KEC) has been a game-changer for my entrepreneurial journey. I joined the inaugural 100 Knoxville’s Idea to Reality program, and it exceeded all expectations. The program provided invaluable guidance from local experts on everything from finance to building a sustainable business. I enjoyed it so much that I returned for Truist’s Lunch and Learn and the Women in Entrepreneurship event, where I learned how to create a business plan that truly works. KEC is part of an ecosystem that connected me to TSBDC and local chambers. Experiences with KEC also led me to the Maker City Summit, Let Her Speak, Knoxville Women in Tech and City of Knoxville. KEC is an incredible resource for entrepreneurs in Knoxville, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to grow their business!

Elisa T.

The KEC has been foundational for my video production business. I've been in business here 10 years and counting because of the connections, encouragement, and support I've received here.

The programming is great, the mentorship is super high-quality, and the connections and friendships I've made through the Women in Entrepreneurship group have been life-changing.

I can't recommend KEC enough, and want to see you all continue to grow and serve more businesses that are started here (and grow!) in Knoxville!

Frank J. I.

Fantastic programs for small businesses. I've gotten involved with several programs including 100Knoxville and have gained an invaluable amount of information and mentorship over the past year.

Wil D.

Delaney and the other leaders there do an incredible job of investing in our community. I got to lead a workshop in their space and the support they gave me was extraordinarily helpful.

Lyndsey U.

I have been attending KEC sponsored events for about a year now and in that time I have found a community of supporters and friends. Everyone is eager to help you find success on your path as an entrepreneur. I have attended the Maker Summit, Rising Tide, Women in Entrepreneurship, and other seminars and I always leave those events feeling like it was a great investment of my time. I have learned a lot of valuable information that has truly helped me in my journey.

Mel M.

Love KEC and what they bring to the entrepreneurs in Knoxville! So much more than a networking space, I attend a monthly meeting for e-commerce and walk away with new skills every time! I just attended an amazing marketing class today and I was blown away but how much I learned. They have things for folks wherever they are in their business journey and I highly recommend checking them out!

Mandy T.

I just attended a conference at KEC and I was blown away! I learned so much, enjoyed networking with others in the community, was fed and watered, and left feeling more confident in the direction our small business is heading. I can't wait to attend another event here! What an amazing resource for local business owners.

Jim D.

A business colleague of mine directed me to the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center after much discussion about founding a new startup here in Knoxville. Having reviewed their website, it appeared they offered several different programs for folks looking to make the life changing decision to start a small business. It all sounded really great, a "small business incubator" who's sole mission is to help make Knoxville the most "founder friendly city" in America. I immediately sent a friendly email inquiry to the email address listed in their website, detailing all my information to possibly get involved and hooked up with a mentor .. and never heard anything back. Weird, I waited about a week, but this time around I decided to give them a call.. no answer, so I left a message asking for a call back along with my contact information- again, no response. Drove downtown to check out their brick and mortar office, and they were closed- ok. Sometimes folks just cant link up, so no big ideal. Over the course of the next weeks, I sent 3 additional emails and 3 phone calls asking if anyone could take a sec and possibly call me back or send me to the right contact person.. Still no response.

So the whole experience makes me wonder- What is the purpose of the KEC? Do they just occupy space to keep that grant money coming? Seriously. They don't seem to very especially keen to email or call anyone back. Are they too busy for all the inquiries they receive? Maybe. It would have been great to receive any type of general acknowledgment to my numerous attempts at contact. Their website looks really great, and they seem to be especially proud of how big of a difference they think they make.

Eventually, I ended up networking with other small business owners in the area and built relationships that way, more organically. I was able to get some very valuable feedback on my business idea, along with invaluable expertise. I'm sure there will be a really nice response to this review asking me to reach out to them, or something along those lines.. But would you really want to try to work with someone who can't spare you a return call or email over 40 days of attempted contact? Me either.

Long story short, I've come to the realization that the KEC is fugazi and nothing more than one those self help conferences you hear ads for on the radio, where self absorbed people talk aboout how great they are and ways you can improve your life and be more fulfilled, all the while simultaneously contributing absolutely nothing to your success as an entrepreneur. If you decide to reach out to the KEC, I genuinely hope your experience is different- who knows, maybe they will return your call?