The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, seeks to recognize the fastest-growing alumni-led businesses during the second year of its Rocky Top Business Awards. These awards honor members of the university’s network of business leaders and entrepreneurs, and nominations are open through December 6. Winning companies will be notified in January 2025 before being honored on May 2, 2025.
Anyone can nominate an eligible business. To be eligible, a business must have existed for three years or more, meet verifiable revenue minimums, be owned or led by an alumnus or alumna of UT Knoxville, and operate in keeping with the values of the university.
“The Rocky Top Business Awards recognize our alumni who are entrepreneurs and business leaders for their well-deserved successes,” said Duane Wiles, associate vice chancellor for alumni relations. “The awards banquet will provide a forum to connect, network, and learn from one another, and we look forward to inviting the winning alumni and their guests to campus. The sheer number of thriving businesses led by Vol talent is amazing, and this program is here to foster and recognize them.”
Now in its second year, Rocky Top Business Awards celebrated companies in 2023 ranging from national brands such as the Build-A-Bear Workshop Inc. to fast-growing and recognizable names in finance, nonprofits, logistics, engineering, advertising, creative production, health care, architecture, manufacturing, and other fields. Axle Logistics came in first place in 2023.
Once the nomination period is closed, applications will be reviewed by PYA PC, a Knoxville-based accounting firm and the event’s sponsor. Visit Rocky Top Business Awards for more information and to submit a nomination.
