Jim Biggs

KNOXVILLE Entrepreneur Center (KEC) and Scripps Networks Interactive are teaming up to launch The Works' twin startup accelerator programs for Coders and for Lifestyle content developers.

May 15 is the deadline for applying for either the CodeWorks (for technical founders) or MediaWorks (for would-be content providers) tracks within TheWorks. The programs run 12 weeks, from June to August. Details here.

Knoxville-based Scripps Networks and the KEC are particularly keen to identify companies that aim to offer "products and services that build and engage lifestyle audiences, and find pathways to monetize those properties across multiple revenue channels," according to a press release earlier this month.

Four startup companies that are accepted into the Content-oriented MediaWorks side of the program will gain equity investment from TheWorks' main sponsor, Scripps. Scripps has previously invested in such early-stage companies as Refinery29, Tastemade and Food52.

Referring the the Scripps sponsorship as a "milestone," KEC Executive Director Jim Biggs said in the release, in part, "We're building the first accelerator specifically focused on lifestyle content creators, and building a model for discovering and supporting the next generation of digital media companies."

MediaWorks is a program to help budding content creators develop products and services that build and engage lifestyle audiences, and find pathways to monetize those properties across multiple revenue channels.

Scripps Networks Interactive (Nasdaq: SNI) is one of the leading developers of engaging lifestyle content in the home, food and travel categories for television, the Internet and emerging platforms.

Scripps' lifestyle media portfolio includes HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Cooking Channel, Travel Channel and Great American Country. Internationally, Scripps' footprint includes operations in the UK (a JV with BBC), Poland (TVN), Asian Food Channel and Fine Living.

TheWorks two-track endurance test for startups precedes Knoxville's newly expanded and rebranded Innov865 startup week, Sept. 19-23, with a pitchday day set for Sept. 22.

Innova865 will include numerous components, including the Kauffman Foundation's Mayors Summit on Entrepreneurship, according to earlier reports.

Backing Innova865 is the Innova865 Alliance, which includes the University of Tennessee Research Foundation, Oak Ridge National Lab, PYA, UT's Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Launch Tennessee, and the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center. VTC

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