Please join us on May 13, 2026, at Covenant Health Park in Knoxville, Tennessee, for LEEP Demo Day 2026 and Innovation Night, bringing together startups, investors, industry leaders, and federal and state partners to highlight innovation and entrepreneurship in East Tennessee and across the nation.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program (LEEP) recruits top entrepreneurial talent through a national call for a fully funded fellowship at national laboratories. The program supports founders with early-stage energy startups and emerging technologies, helping them advance their innovations and bring them to market.
LEEP is helping the U.S. cement its position as a leader in critical and emerging technologies including:
- Energy generation and storage
- Quantum computing
- Biotechnology
- Advanced materials
- Artificial intelligence
- Microelectronics
Startup Pitches and LEEP Demo Day 2026
12:00 – 4:00 PM | Startup Pitches and LEEP Demo Day 2026
Join us for lunch in the Clubhouse at Covenant Health Park, then experience startup pitches from Cohort 2024 LEEP startups. Founders will present their companies and showcase breakthrough technologies in energy, AI, advanced manufacturing, and more.
4:00 – 5:00 PM | Coworking and Networking at 121 Tech Hub
Continue conversations with founders, investors, and operators at the 121 Tech Hub (121 E. Jackson Ave, just a block from the stadium). Drop in, connect, and work alongside fellow innovators.
You can register to attend LEEP Demo Day 2026 and the Startup Pitches for free and join us to experience the latest innovations from Cohort 2024 startups.
Innovation Night at the Park
5:30 – 7:00 PM | Startup Showcase on the Concourse
Explore the latest technologies from startups and innovative companies: live demonstrations, founder meet-and-greets, and emerging technology displays. Meet the people building the future of energy, AI, mobility, and advanced manufacturing.
Note: A game ticket is required to access the concourse and the startup showcase.
7:00 – 9:00 PM | One Knox Soccer vs. Union Omaha
Watch the national champion One Knox soccer team take on Union Omaha. Experience an evening where soccer meets innovation! Event attendees can purchase discounted tickets to enjoy the game while networking with startup founders and discovering emerging businesses.
Get tickets to attend Innovation Night at the Park, including the Startup Showcase on the concourse and the One Knox soccer game.
Featured LEEP Graduates
Pitches from LEEP graduates and alumni include:
- Chain Reaction Innovations at Argonne National Laboratory
- Cyclotron Road at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
- Innovation Crossroads at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- West Gate at National Laboratory of the Rockies
Our programs’ combined alumni and fellows have raised over $6 billion in follow-on funding, deployed manufacturing projects, and entered commercial energy and technology markets across the country.
Travel and Venue Information
Venue: Covenant Health Park (500 E Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37915)
Nearest Airport: McGhee Tyson Airport (Alcoa, TN)
While there is not a formal room block, we recommend the following hotels:
- Crowne Plaza Knoxville Downtown (401 W. Summit Hill Drive)
- Hilton Knoxville Downtown (501 W. Church Ave.)
LEEP is managed and funded by DOE’s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO), with additional support from the Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI) in partnership with other DOE offices. In 2026, stewardship of LEEP is being transferred to the Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC). The program strengthens ties to local and regional innovation ecosystems through strategic partnerships, supporting technologies critical to DOE’s mission.