About this programme
100Knoxville is a program of the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center (KEC), a business accelerator in downtown Knoxville dedicated to making the city the most founder-friendly in America. Launched in spring 2021, 100Knoxville is dedicated to helping Black-owned businesses in Knoxville grow by $10,000,000 over 5 years through investment of time and talent and access to social and financial capital. Each cohort is facilitated by strategist and business consultant Kandis Troutman.
The core offering is the 100Knoxville Grant Cohort: 5 founders, matched with 5 mentors, over a 5-week sprint, for a $10,000 grant per company. KEC runs multiple cohorts a year (the 12th cohort started in August 2025) and publishes an alumni directory, cohort news, and impact reporting, including a case study on how its 2024 grant program affected a local business owner.
Around the grant cohort, KEC also runs two related, separately priced courses: Idea to Reality, a five-week, $125 introductory business-plan course recommended before applying to a 100Knoxville cohort, and Hustle to Structure, a five-session, $250 scaling program open only to past 100Knoxville Grant Cohort graduates.
How it works
Each grant cohort selects 5 companies, matching each with a team of mentors who bring relevant business experience. Over a 5-week sprint, companies work to clarify strategy, improve operations, and increase sales.
At the end of the program, each of the 5 companies is granted $10,000 to invest at the entrepreneur's direction, with their mentor team's support.
The program includes a pre-program workshop (building a business model canvas and profit & loss statement to share with mentors), a 'Meet Your Mentor' session, weekly tasks and educational videos from the program facilitator, and a private online group for each cohort. Participants are expected to complete assignments, meet weekly with their mentor, and attend Friday coaching sessions, estimated at about 3 hours a week.
To actually receive the $10,000 grant at the end, cohort members must attend all sessions, meet with their mentor every week, and submit all assignments to the facilitator by the given deadlines. Participants also get a feature story on KEC's social media, possible media interview requests, and a photoshoot after the program.
In the 12th cohort (started August 2025), the five founders and businesses were: Aaron Ingram of House of Lamar (interior and architectural photography), Jaleria Rivera of SpaceCraft (an arts studio cooperative and creative reuse center), Annette Polanco of Legacy Pour Promotions (experiential marketing for liquor brand activations), Monica Smith-Albright of D'vyne Creations (a made-to-order bakery), and Jeremy Donald of Nappywingz (Memphis-style hot wings and catering).
Who can apply
The business must be located in the Greater Knoxville / Knox County area.
The business must be post-revenue; 100Knoxville is for businesses that already have sales, not pre-revenue ideas.
The business must be Black-owned.
Applicants must provide a detailed description of their business, ideally with a website or social media presence a selection committee can review.
How to apply
- Applications open and close on specific dates announced for each cohort (for example, Cohort 12 for 2025 opened June 16 and closed July 7). Check 100knoxville.com for the current cohort's application window; applications are closed outside that window.
- While applications are closed, prospective applicants can take Idea to Reality, a five-week, $125 introductory course recommended (though not required) as preparation for a future 100Knoxville cohort.
- Contact Delaney Lawson (delaney@knoxec.net) or Courtney Hendricks (courtney@knoxec.net) with questions about the grant cohort, or the general KEC team at info@knoxec.net.
Frequently asked
Who runs 100Knoxville?
It is a program of the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, facilitated by strategist and business consultant Kandis Troutman.
Who is 100Knoxville for?
Black-owned, post-revenue businesses based in Greater Knoxville / Knox County.
How much does each company get, and how many companies per cohort?
Each cohort selects 5 companies; each company receives a $10,000 grant at the end of the 5-week program, conditional on attending sessions, meeting mentors weekly, and completing assignments.
What is the program trying to achieve overall?
100Knoxville's stated goal is to help Black-owned businesses in Knoxville grow by $10 million over 5 years.
Is there anything for graduates who want to keep growing?
Yes. Hustle to Structure is a five-session, $250 scaling program open only to past 100Knoxville Grant Cohort graduates.
What if I'm not ready to apply yet?
Idea to Reality is a five-week, $125 introductory business-plan course open to new entrepreneurs and recommended as a stepping stone toward a future 100Knoxville cohort.
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Reviewed 2026-09-25. Programmes change, so check eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official page before you apply. CapEasy is a private firm and is not part of any government body.