APRIL 2026 | THE HILL INSTITUTE NEWSROOM | |
There are moments that remind you why all the work behind the scenes matters.
April 16 was one of those moments.
Seven years in, the energy inside a newly renovated Timmons Arena has taken on a life of its own. A brand new venue, a packed crowd, and students stepping to the mic with the kind of polish, confidence, and business acumen that made you forget for a moment you were watching undergrads. It felt like Shark Tank came alive on Furman's campus.
What stood out most wasn't just the quality of the ideas. It was the growth on display. Each finalist came to that stage with conviction and coachability, different strengths, different starting points, but all four willing to do the work, take the feedback, and rise to the moment. For several of them, this is only the beginning. Many are still early in their Furman journey, which means the real momentum from this experience is just getting started.
None of that happens without the people investing in these students behind the scenes. A genuine thank you to our mentors: Dr. Steve Stewart, Furman Entrepreneurship Professor and Rinker Committee Member; Jennifer Watson, Speech Coach; Joey Iannetta '15, Furman alum and entrepreneur; and Christopher Guerrera, CEO of The Modern Inventor and 2x Shark Tank entrepreneur. Their time, honesty, and investment in these students made all the difference, and to The Hill Institute team whose preparation and care made this what it was.
This is how lasting impact is built. Not through one day alone, but through investment, mentorship, challenge, and belief in what students can become.
Let's keep building together,
Bryan Davis
Executive Director
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RINKER PALADIN PITCH COMPETITION RECAP
We kicked off Furman Engaged on April 16 with the annual Rinker Paladin Pitch Competition, an event that brought together Furman faculty, students, staff, alumni, and the broader entrepreneurial community inside the newly renovated Timmons Arena, alongside the Dins Student Marketplace.
Now in its seventh year, the competition continues to spotlight Furman’s top student innovators as they take early-stage ventures from idea to action, competing for funding and the opportunity to accelerate their growth.
Student Winners
Camden Johnson '28 captured the $10,000 Johnny Flynn Award for Toy Aisle, an AI imaging app that instantly identifies collectible toys, allowing users to buy, sell, catalog, and track the value of their collection.
Taking home the $2,000 second-place prize was Long Nguyen '28 for Scholarverse, an AI-powered learning ecosystem where K–12 students engage in immersive, game-based experiences to build critical thinking and creativity.
Jacob Hanson '29 earned the $1,000 Crowd Favorite Award for The Scholarship Speed System, a training program designed to help high school athletes improve speed, performance, and college recruiting readiness.
Rounding out the field, Lola Dixon '29 received the final $500 prize for Wear Share, a platform that connects students to buy, trade, and borrow clothing while promoting a more sustainable, community-driven approach to fashion.
Judging Panel
This year’s competition was judged by an accomplished panel of alumni entrepreneurs:
Their insight, experience, and connection to Furman played a critical role in shaping the competition and supporting the next generation of founders.
Beyond the Stage
At The Hill Institute, we don’t just celebrate ideas, we accelerate them. Each finalist now moves forward with access to continued mentorship, workspace at the Furman Innovation Lab, and The Hill Institute’s venture incubator, continuing to build momentum beyond the stage.
Unable to attend the competition? We’ve got you covered, watch the full event at your convenience using the link below.
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THE DINS STUDENT MARKETPLACE
Running alongside the competition, the DINS Student Marketplace was a separate showcase of the broader Furman entrepreneurial community. Anchored by students from Dr. Steve Stewart's BUS 470 New Venture Business Modeling course, the marketplace brought together students selling and highlighting their own products and services. Proof that the venture pipeline runs wide and deep here at Furman.
| | 2026 ENTREPRENEURSHIP, FREE ENTERPRISE, & INNOVATION AWARDEES | |
VANGUARD AWARD
Kathryn Petralia '92, CEO & Co-founder of Kabbage, was recognized as a visionary fintech leader who transformed small business lending through data-driven innovation, scaling Kabbage into a globally recognized platform and redefining access to capital for entrepreneurs.
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TRAILBLAZER AWARD
Brian Morin, CEO & Founder of Soteria Battery Innovation Group, was recognized as a pioneer in advancing next-generation battery safety technology, helping reshape the future of energy storage and electrification.
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GLOBAL IMPACT AWARD
Nicole Johnson and Boyd Johnson, co-founders of Boyd Cycling, were recognized as groundbreaking entrepreneurs building a globally respected brand, engineering and delivering high-performance cycling products to riders around the world while creating meaningful economic and societal impact.
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2026 CLEMENS ANGEL ANALYST FELLOWSHIP
Only a few spots remain for the Fall 2026 fellowship. Step inside the world of early-stage investing. The Clemens Angel Analyst Fellowship gives Furman students hands-on exposure to how investment decisions are made, working alongside real investors and engaging in live deal evaluation.
Join a network of 80+ alumni and gain the experience, confidence, and connections to step into high-impact opportunities.
LEARN MORE & APPLY HERE
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GVL STARTS | FALL 2026 APPLICATIONS
GVL Starts is a 9-week, in-person accelerator for first-time founders in the Greenville community, offering mentorship from local entrepreneurs, coaching from design thinkers, instruction from university faculty, and access to a committed investor network. Since 2021, the program has supported 201 ventures, many of which have gone on to raise capital, hire employees, or open storefronts.
The program meets Thursdays from 5:30–8:30 PM at the Furman Innovation Lab, running September 10 – November 5, 2026.
LEARN MORE & APPLY HERE
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Village Launch Night Market
Mill Village Hub | 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Village Launch Markets, hosted through Mill Village Ministries, are community‑focused pop‑up markets that highlight local minority‑ and women‑owned small businesses. Each event features a variety of emerging entrepreneurs, delicious food trucks, good music to set the vibe, and a welcoming, family‑friendly atmosphere. These markets create a supportive space for small business owners to showcase their products, connect with new customers, and continue growing within the community.
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SUDsGVL (Startup Drinks)
Southernside Brewing Co | 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
SUDs, short for Startup Drinks, sponsored by our NextGEN partners is back and part of National Small Business Week! This unstructured networking event is open to entrepreneurs, ecosystem allies, and all community members of the #StartupGVL ecosystem. The first drink is free, so get this one on your calendars!
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Flywheel Cafe: Fundraising Rules for Startups
Flywheel Coworking Greenville | 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Connect with founders, investors, and the broader entrepreneurial community at Flywheel Café for an evening of conversation, connection, and insight. Featuring a fireside chat with Paul Clark of VentureSouth, this session will explore the written and unwritten rules of fundraising, covering key strategies, legal frameworks, and the real-world dynamics that shape how deals come together.
| | | WE ARE THANKFUL FOR OUR COMMUNITY COLLABORATORS | | |
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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