MARCH 2026 | THE HILL INSTITUTE NEWSROOM

Momentum is easy to talk about, but it’s harder to build - and even harder to sustain.

What we’re seeing right now across The Hill Institute is something different. Not just a series of strong programs and events, but a system beginning to compound. Students stepping into real opportunities earlier. Alumni extending the network further. Investors, founders, and partners increasingly leaning in as active participants in what’s being built.

Our recent Clemens Angel Analyst Fellowship Annual Dinner was a clear reflection of that shift. Four years ago, this was an idea. Today, it’s a growing network of 80+ alumni moving into high-impact roles across finance, startups, and beyond; all connected not just by experience, but by access, trust, and a shared expectation to keep opening doors for others.

We are seeing that same pattern accelerating across everything ahead. From the Rinker Paladin Pitch Competition taking over Timmons Arena, to new cohorts forming across our fellowships, accelerators, and summer programs, we are seeing more people step into the arena. We're building, testing, and connecting in ways that move ideas forward faster.

This is how ecosystems actually grow. Not through isolated wins, but through consistent, connected momentum over time.

Let's keep building together,

Bryan Davis

Executive Director

THIS MONTH'S HIGHLIGHTS

CLEMENS ANGEL ANALYST ANNUAL DINNER RECAP

Four years of impact. One powerful network.

Last week, we had the privilege of hosting our Clemens Angel Analyst Fellows, alumni, investors, community partners, and a group of engaged Furman students for an evening that celebrated what this program has built over the past four years. A connected, growing community grounded in learning, access, and opportunity.

Held at Jianna in downtown Greenville, the evening began with remarks from President Elizabeth Davis, followed by program champions Ken Clemens and Chase Clemens, who reflected on the vision and continued growth of the Fellowship. We also heard from Clemens Angel Analyst alumnus Andrew Farrell, who shared his journey from launching his company at the Rinker Paladin Pitch Competition just last year to a recent successful exit, bringing the program’s impact full circle in a powerful way.

Over the past four years, the Clemens Angel Analyst Fellowship has built a network of 80 student alumni who are now stepping into careers across finance, consulting, startups, and beyond. They carry with them not just technical exposure, but a deeper confidence in how to evaluate opportunities, build relationships, and navigate complex environments. That growing alumni base is one of the program’s strongest assets. It extends the reach of the Hill Institute far beyond campus and strengthens a pipeline of talent connected to the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

As the evening unfolded, conversations centered on the true value of the program. Connection, community, and the relationships that extend far beyond the Fellowship itself. Fellows and alumni shared how the experience has expanded their networks, opened doors, and shaped their confidence and trajectory, both professionally and personally.

JOIN US LIVE IN THE AUDIENCE AS OUR FINALISTS TAKE THE STAGE AT THE RINKER PALADIN PITCH COMPETITION

Join us on April 16 at Timmons Arena for the Rinker Paladin Pitch Competition—where four Furman founders take the stage to pitch for real startup funding, and you’re in the audience for all of it.

Think Shark Tank—live. Founders pitch, judges investment stakes are real, and the energy builds with every decision.

You’re not pitching—you’re in the audience for it. Watch it unfold in real time and cast your vote for Crowd Favorite winner.

Meet the finalists (click on their photo below to learn more):

• Cam Johnson pitching Scavenger AI, an app that can identify collectibles from a single photo and connect buyers and sellers.
• Lola Dixon pitching Wear Share, a platform helping students buy, trade, and borrow clothing across campus.
• Jacob Hanson pitching The Scholarship Speed System, training high school athletes to get faster and compete at the next level.
• Long Nguyen pitching ScholarVerse, an AI-powered platform reimagining how K–12 students learn through gamified experiences.

Plus, as an audience member, you’ll be entered to win raffle prizes including a TV, Meta Quest, and drone—just for showing up. Must be present to win.

Show up. Support. Bring the BIG DIN energy!

OPEN APPLICATIONS

UPCOMING EVENTS

WE ARE THANKFUL FOR OUR COMMUNITY COLLABORATORS