Seven Startups Announced for “THE WORKS”, Knoxville Entrepreneur Center’s Premier Startup Accelerator for early-stage software, technology, and tech-enabled companies poised for rapid growth. The program kicks off June 11th, concluding with a demo day and celebration on August 20th.

THE WORKS, powered by Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, is an intensive, eight-week startup accelerator powered by Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, designed to help early-stage software, technology, and tech-enabled companies scale. The program features expert-led workshops, hands-on mentorship, and immersive experiences with top industry partners like Cirrus, Clayton, Market Square Ventures, and Big Slate Media.

“The Works is like a front-row seat to some of the most driven, thoughtful innovators in the region. I’m excited for a continued partnership with KEC to build a bridge between entrepreneurs and industry, and to share our relentless focus on the customer!”  

…Matthew Park, Customer Technology Leader and WORKS Mentor 

Meet the seven startups and their mentor teams: 

Unified Track
Dustin Bainbridge – paired with mentors Michael Grider and Courtney Delaura

Unified Track is a predictive analytics platform that helps high school counselors keep students on track for graduation and beyond by integrating directly with a district’s Student Information System (SIS) to visualize real-time data on academic progress, credit completion, GPA, attendance, and behavioral trends. 

VisualizAI
Mac Bartine – paired with mentors Bruce Ramshaw and Britton Garrett

VisualizAI is a AI powered big data visualization platform that maximizes healthcare organizations’ claims revenue without risk or hassle.

TeachCraft
Joel Smith – paired with mentors Victoria Frankel and Ann Buckingham

TeachCraft offers the ability for teachers to make high quality,  project based lesson plans, in minutes, using AI powered tools. They serve anyone who needs to produce project-based instruction, whether it be K-12, Higher Ed, or Corporate Training.

PowerTechs Inc
Ksenia Solomatina, paired with mentors Harry Boston and Jenna Johns

A DoD-approved startup building a reskilling platform for strategic industries, including energy, construction, and manufacturing jobs. Their technology integrates AI, Extended Reality, and CognitiveTech, enabling a detailed understanding of individuals’ transferable skills and facilitating 10x faster and smoother workforce transitions.

DataRook, Inc.
Gustavo Alvarez-Suchini paired with mentors Noa Barak and Rob Cochran

DataRook provides innovative STEM education through our flagship program, footyLab. This unique after-school program combines youth soccer with hands-on data science education through a three-part methodology: capturing metrics, analyzing performance data, and creating interactive dashboards and visualizations.

Modern Day Stay at Home Mom
Kimberly O’Neal – paired with mentors Brittany Burton and Preston Garland

Modern Day SAHM is a staffing platform designed to connect stay-at-home moms with flexible, legitimate job opportunities while allowing them to remain home with their families. They provide businesses with access to a highly skilled talent pool, offering affordable hiring solutions with thorough background checks, reference checks, and initial screening interviews included.

Rush to Resolution, LLC
Brett Rush – paired with mentors  Creed Huckaby and Matthew Park

Rush to Resolution, LLC helps SaaS startups build an AI-first support presence leveraging Intercom for chatbots, human assistance, and metrics, as well as other bots for custom niche requests. They also help with building out human support teams, since they have experience developing global teams from the ground up.

KEC’s Chief Experience Officer, Chris McAdoo, will head up The Works, along with The Works’s Lead Growth Advisor, Abhijit (AV) Verekar, founder of Avero Advisors. The eight weeks will include special guests from successful entrepreneurs and subject matter experts including Haseeb Qureshi, Martha Weeks, Brandon Bruce, and many more. Learn about the full schedule, and see the full list of subject matter experts and scope of the program at knoxec.com/theworks2025/

“The seven WORKS 2025 companies represent the future, not just of KEC, but of Knoxville’s entire entrepreneurial ecosystem and beyond,” said Chris McAdoo, program lead at KEC. “Every founder in this cohort has serious potential, and we’re here to help them move fast, fix things, and build real momentum alongside an awesome team of mentors, experts, and business leaders. LET’S GET TO WORK!” 
The WORKS is made possible through support from LaunchTN and the City of Knoxville.