, See Our January 2024 Newsletter

January 2024 | The Hill Institute Newsroom

This year is off like a rocket, and I could not be more thrilled for the trajectory of where we’re heading together through the work in motion here at The Hill Institute.

From landing some amazing new talent on our team of A-players, to building out a summer business boot camp program, to be a benchmark program nationally for college students, 2024 is off to a great (and busy) start.

Every time you open our monthly newsletter, I hope you feel inspired by the immensely positive impacts we’re honored to carry out for our students, our community, and beyond. We are creating entrepreneurially minded leaders equipped to transform the world, and that is not an empty aspirational statement. We are seeing it unfold before our eyes in the lives we touch.

Let’s keep building together!

Bryan Davis

Executive Director

Past Month Overview

GVL Starts

Tonight, we will kick off our 6th GVL Starts cohort in Downtown Greenville and our team could not be more excited!

This transformational 9-week experience will include mentoring from successful local entrepreneurs and business owners, coaching from experienced design thinkers, instruction from distinguished university faculty, and an investor community that’s engaged and committed to supporting aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners.

This year's cohort will include ventures range from food and beverage services to AI strategy development; stay tuned to see what's in store for our 15 entrepreneurs!

Learn More About GVL Starts

Open Program Applications

Paladin Pitch

Paladin Pitch is an exciting event that showcases the innovative ideas of four student finalists who will pitch their new venture ideas to a panel of judges and a diverse audience of students, faculty, alumni, and community leaders.

Students compete to take home the $10,000 Johnny Flynn Paladin Pitch Award to support launching their entrepreneurial venture

Applications Due: March 1, 2024

Competition Date: April 11, 2024

Learn More about Paladin Pitch

Summer Business and Innovation Boot Camp

Our dynamic 8-week program offers an immersive career accelerating experience, combining a 3-week project-based curriculum focused on launching a successful business with an in-depth exploration of essential business and marketing fundamentals.

Following this, our program provides specialized consulting training, preparing students for a rewarding 4-week engagement as consultants for local early-stage startups, where they put their newly acquired skills into real-world practice.

Applications Due:

Early Action: February 1st
Apply by Feb 1 and move to our final interview round.
Final Deadline: April 5th

Program Dates: June 10th - July 28th

Learn More about the Summer Boot Camp

Team and Student Highlights

Student Spotlight

Aubrey Zoodsma '26, a 2023 Paladin Pitch Finalist, has launched! Astrea, a custom jewelry company designed for sorority members will bring elegance and quality tennis bracelets into the hands of excited sorority sisters everywhere.

When asked about her experience working with The Hill Institute, Aubrey said, “If I had to define what the “Furman Advantage” is, I’d say The Paladin Pitch Competition and The Hill Institute are it exactly!"

Team Spotlight

Help us welcome Eric Cooperman, Senior Director of Entrepreneurship Programs, to The Hill Institute Team!

Eric joins us not only as a veteran entrepreneur himself, but as an experienced participant in The Hill Ecosystem; in fact, Eric participated in and won our inaugural GVL Starts Program which he now goes on to lead for our team.

To learn more about Eric and the experience he brings to our office, we encourage you to take a look at his LinkedIn profile.

Class E Podcast

Performance Pathfinders: On Stage Collective's Artistic Odyssey

Embark on an enlightening conversation with Heather Mckenzie Patterson and Katherine Sandoval Taylor, co-founders of On Stage Collective, as they recount their journey from college vocal performance majors to pioneers in the immersive performance program landscape.

Listen wherever you get your podcast

Taylor Swift's Entrepreneurial Blueprint: Lessons in Leadership, Innovation, and Love

In this episode of the Class E Podcast, Dr. Kasie Whitener and Host, Mary Sturgill explore the fascinating intersection of Taylor Swift's career, entrepreneurship, and the power of love.

Listen wherever you get your podcast

Events Calendar

February

13

NEXT Founders Forum

University Ridge | 3:30 - 5:00 PM

Founders Forum is an educational series for entrepreneurs, taught by subject matter experts in key areas of focus for all startups.

RSVP HERE

February

13

Flywheel Pitch Space Live

Furman101 | 5:00 - 6:30 PM

Join Flywheel at Pitch Space Live to hear pitches from start-ups, including our very own Spencer Tate '24 with dotflo and D'Alexander Zegarra, GVL Starts graduate and founder of Instaheat, followed by feedback from a panel of investors.

RSVP HERE

February

21

Spring Mini Pitch Competition

Burgiss Theater | 3:30 - 5:00 PM

Join us in Burgess Theater on February 21st from 4:00-5:00 pm to see your classmates pitch live or enter yourself for a chance to win $500 towards their new ventures!

Day of entries will be accepted while spots remain!

RSVP HERE

Click Here To See Our Calendar of Events

Campus Programs

Community Programs

Join The Movement

Thank you to our community sponsors and partners!

Our operations are fully supported by generous donors and program sponsors. Please consider donating today to support our mission of creating innovative and entrepreneurially minded leaders at Furman and in the Upstate.

Interested in sponsorship opportunities?

Please email Innovation@Furman.edu

GIVE