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April 2024 | The Hill Institute Newsroom | |
Friends and champions of innovation,
As I was doing some recent research, I came across a staggering – even if admittedly unsurprising – statistic. At least 67% of recent college graduates openly admit they don’t know what’s critical to actually starting a business.
Well, they obviously did not poll our students.
As you’ll note in this month’s newsletter, we are uniquely positioning our students for success during their time here at Furman. Consistent with the liberal arts mentality, we are not only helping develop the whole person, but we’re also equipping them with specific tools and experiences needed to successfully launch.
The Paladin Pitch Competition, the Clemens Angel Analyst Fellowship, the Summer Business Innovation Boot Camp, and more – students are leaving Furman prepared to tackle the future head on.
Let’s keep building together,
Bryan Davis
Executive Director
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2024 Paladin Pitch Competition
Someone cue the confetti cannons because we have some big things to celebrate! We could not be prouder of our five exceptional finalists for their hard work and dedication shown in these past two months!
With more student ventures vying for the Johnny Flynn Paladin Pitch Award, valued at $10,000 in grants and resources, than any year prior, the stakes were higher than ever. We, alongside Furman's dedicated team of professors, mentors, staff, alumni, supportive donors, and students, were reminded just how impactful an innovative mindset can be when placed at the heart of student programming.
Our students astound us; we are honored to work with each of them and remain a part of their development here at Furman. To everyone involved in this event, we thank you for supporting such a life-changing moment for our student body. Take a look at this year's lineup:
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First Place: Lilly Woo '24, Woo Milk
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Second Place: Alice Tyszka '25, Alice's Authoring Company
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Crowd Favorite: Conor Dowler '24, Palate Pal
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Finalist: Pedro Moreira '25 & Sawyer Sams '24, Enterprise Investing
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Finalist: Jack Travis '27, Cleat Clinger
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Innovation Fair
Our first innovation fair was a HUGE success!
The innovation fair was a one-hour tabling event leading up to the Paladin Pitch Competition, designed to highlight Furman student ventures or ideas on campus.
Student ventures were able to sell and promote their businesses while students with ideas for new ventures were able to pitch for a chance to win $100 prize towards their next new-venture idea.
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Clemens Angel Analyst Fellowship Dinner
Our private dinner at Halls Chophouse early this month was a raving success.
A room full of program graduates and prospective students enjoyed an evening of networking and dining with Ken Clemens, VentureSouth partners, Furman trustees, and community leaders.
It was an enriching event, fostering valuable connections and stimulating conversations, and further uniting current Furman students with those who have preceded them in this program.
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Open Program Applications | |
Summer Business and Innovation Boot Camp
This dynamic 8-week summer program delivers an immersive career accelerating experience through a unique combination of training, special projects, and exclusive networking opportunities – all hosted in the vibrant heart of downtown Greenville, SC.
Participants kick-off with three weeks of project-based curriculum focused on launching a successful business, combined with a speaker series featuring successful founders, investors, and business leaders.
Following this, our program provides specialized consulting training, then pairs up student teams with local high-growth startups to work as consulting teams for the remainder of the summer to put their newly acquired skills into real-world practice.
Applications Extended: Open Enrollment
Program Dates: June 10th - July 28th
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Clemens Angel Analyst Fellowship
We are currently accepting applications for the 4th Annual Clemens Angel Analyst Fellowship, which will run in the Fall Semester, from September 18th through November 20th. This exceptional program prepares students for careers in angel investing, venture capital, private equity, or startup fundraising.
The 10-week program offers skills, experience, and networking opportunities to accelerate learning in early-stage venture investment. Through discussions, exercises, case studies, guest speakers, and mentoring, fellows learn industry-leader VentureSouth’s due diligence framework for investment decisions. Following the fellowship, there are even opportunities for top-performing students to join VentureSouth as paid Analyst interns, applying their learnings to real-world startups that are fundraising from the Angel Network.
Program Dates: September 18, November 20, 2024
Meets each Wednesday from 3:00 – 4:30 PM with optional additional opportunities
Application Due: May 3rd, 2024
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GVL Starts | Fall 2024
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.
Program Dates: August 22 - October 17, 2024
Meets each Thursday from 5:30 – 8:30 PM with optional additional opportunities
Application Due: Open Enrollment
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Team and Student Highlights | |
Team & Student Spotlight
We aren't entirely sure where to begin when it comes to our pride for Chaye Bonner '26. A beacon of light and positivity, our Campus Programs Student Director celebrated her last day with our team before she jets off to Edinburgh for a semester away this fall.
Chaye has significantly contributed to the success of the Paladin Pitch Competition, the Clemens Angel Analyst Fellowship, and the Summer Business and Innovation Boot Camp, working directly with our Campus Manager, Anne Silliman.
Acting as the event lead, Chaye planned and coordinated the entirety of the Mini Pitch Competition this past fall in partnership.D
Chaye, we are so proud of you and will be cheering you on!
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How RIZE Prevention is Empowering the Youth
In this episode of the Class E Podcast, we sat down with guest Martine Helou-Allen, CEO and founder of RIZE Prevention. Martine shares her personal journey and how it led her to create a groundbreaking program empowering teens to resist drugs and make healthy choices.
Listen wherever you get your podcast
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Advantage Greenville: How AI is Transforming Healthcare
Greenville One Center | 7:30 - 10:00 AM
During the next installment of Advantage Greenville, we have partnered with the Institute for the Advancement of Community Health to convene top leaders in various healthcare fields from across South Carolina to discuss the state of AI and the transformative impacts we can expect to see in healthcare, both now and in the future.
Join us for networking over coffee and breakfast followed by insightful presentations and a fire side chat featuring leaders from Amazon, PRISMA Health, SCBio, Hank.ai, and JennoCo. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to hear the latest, firsthand updates on how AI is changing healthcare for us all.
RSVP HERE
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Thank you to our community sponsors and partners! | |
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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
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