Starting a business is a lot of work, and PYA, the power behind teknovation.biz wants to help local start-ups succeed with more than just funding.

The Ballard Innovation Award is the largest gift of cash and in-kind services available to entrepreneurs and startups in East Tennessee, and applications are now open!

The Ballard Innovation Award competition is open to any early-stage company in the East Tennessee area that has established a proof of concept with accompanying revenue. Applicants must present a business plan to optimize existing business operations by reducing costs, increasing revenues, and/or gaining new efficiencies while demonstrating clear innovations to improve the business and empower the consumer.

“It is our goal to highlight and help East Tennessee entrepreneurs with supportive strategies that further their entrepreneurial efforts. This award allows us to connect with those innovators to help them grow and thrive as an established part of our community,” said Marty Brown, the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PYA.

Apply now. Applications close at midnight on Friday, March 21.