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March 2024 | The Hill Institute Newsroom | |
Friends and champions of innovation,
As you dive into our newsletter this month, I hope you’ll reach the same (completely unbiased) conclusion I have: THIS is what a university delivering high-impact student/community experiences looks like. From huge pitch events to innovative new learning experiences, I am inspired by how our team and the ecosystem around us is advancing like never before.
We are changing lives and accelerating the success trajectory of the students and community we serve. That is something I am proud to continue investing my time into, and it is something many of you continue to invest your time and resources into as well. Thank you!
Let’s keep building together,
Bryan Davis
Executive Director
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GVL Starts
At 5:00 PM tonight in Downtown Greenville, fifteen founders will display their ventures and compete to take home one of our $5,000 grants to be awarded for:
- Best Product or Service
- Tech or Software
- Crowd Favorite (voted on by attendees)
As investors and entrepreneurs know, one of the greatest hurdles a company will face when starting a new venture is having sufficient funding. The Hill Institute is excited to award another round of $15,000 in grants to three founders who have shown grit and hustle in their business ideas as they launch towards success.
It’s time to witness the next generation of entrepreneurs take flight – don’t miss your opportunity to see greatness.
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Summer Boot Camp
Recruitment Dinner
Earlier this month, our team had the distinct privilege of sitting down with fifteen of our Summer Boot Camp graduates, future accepted members, and potential new students to the program. We spoke of upcoming plans and listened to the contagious laughter of our graduates as they rehashed their past summer experiences.
Available spots for the program are filling up fast, don’t miss your chance to apply to the 2024 Summer Business and Innovation Boot Camp by April 5th!
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Launch Party
Celebrating LaShonn Edmunds, founder of CAIRS Shoes who has officially launched her first product line – a patented medical grade (and stylish) shoe for women suffering from lymphedema and swollen feet.
The night was full of energy as over 100 family, friends, and community partners like Village Launch joined in to celebrate the latest recipient of the Hill Hustle Award.
Don’t miss out on future events and celebrations!
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City of Greenville, Downtown Merchant's Association
The Hill Institute and Center for Innovative Leadership welcomed the City of Greenville Downtown Merchant’s Association meeting on March 12th, and a great time was had by all!
Methodical Coffee kept us buzzing with their local brews, while Furman University’s finest gave us the inside scoop on innovation and leadership with a welcome from Liz Seman, Chief of Staff/Liaison to the Board of Trustees; updates from The Center for Innovative Leadership, Assistant Director, Sarah Waylett; and an overview on the importance of an Entrepreneurial Mindset from our Managing Director, Kelly Baird.
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Furman Pathways
This month, at Furman Pathways, our team engaged with current freshman and sophomore students to ignite their innovative spirit, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset.
Through insightful dialogue, we explored the essence of entrepreneurship, empowering young minds to envision possibilities and embrace creative solutions for tomorrow's challenges.
Together, we embarked on a journey to cultivate a culture of innovation, paving the way for future leaders in diverse fields.
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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 Due: April 5th
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.
This 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 18th, November 20th
Meets each Wednesday from 3:00 – 4:30 PM with optional additional opportunities
Application Due: May 3rd, 2024
The first 15 to apply will be asked to attend our private dinner, April 4th, in downtown Greenville - apply using the link below while spots still remain!
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Team and Student Highlights | |
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Student Spotlight
Meet This Year's Paladin Pitch Finalists:
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Connor Dowler, Palate Pair
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Pedro Moreira & Sawyer Sams, Enterprise Investing
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Jack Travis, Cleat Clinger
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Alice Tyska, Alice's Authoring Company
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Lilly Woo, Woo Milk
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Team Spotlight
This month, we want to recognize our very own Kelly Baird who was instrumental in securing the prestigious South Carolina Department of Commerce 2024 Relentless Challenge grant for the Institute. This award will support our upcoming Summer Boot Camp, enabling us to empower aspiring entrepreneurs in our community.
Kelly's dedication to advancing innovation and entrepreneurship has notably enhanced our reach and bolstered the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. Well done, Kelly!
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Turning Green into Greatness: The Remarkable Rise of Sparks of Joy
In this episode of the Class E Podcast, we explore Callie Goodwin's remarkable journey from quarantine to the thriving greeting card business she built, becoming a TikTok sensation along the way.
Listen wherever you get your podcast
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Unleashing Inspiration: Standout Advice From Season 8
In this special episode of the Class E Podcast, we're revisiting the most impactful insights from our incredible guests this season.
From the wisdom of Jennifer Jones on turning pain into power, to Chad Price's reminder that in entrepreneurship, you set the rules of the game, and Fred Cary's inspiring mantra to be comfortable with the discomfort of chasing your dreams. And don't miss Jason Richards' profound question: 'How do you want to spend your day?'
Listen wherever you get your podcast
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Clemens Angel Analyst Fellowship | Private Dinner
Halls Chop House | 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Are you interested in the Clemens Angel Analyst Fellowship? If so, reach out to our team – to join us at Halls Chophouse, April 4th from 6:00 – 8:00 PM for dinner and networking with Ken Clemens, members of the VentureSouth team, and program graduates among other key leaders of the Furman family.
RSVP HERE
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Innovation Fair
Watkins Lobby, Trone, Furman University | 3:00 - 4:00 PM
The Innovation Fair is a one-hour tabling event where The Hill Institute will be highlighting Furman students with a new venture idea to share. While these students will not be taking the stage at this year’s Paladin Pitch Competition, they will still be eligible to win a $100 prize towards supporting next steps of their venture.
RSVP HERE
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Paladin Pitch Competition
Watkins Room, Trone, Furman University | 4:00 - 5:30 PM
The Paladin Pitch Competition is entering its 5th year here at Furman University. This exciting event showcases the innovative ideas of five 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; second place takes home $2,500 while third place receives $1,500.
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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