The Hill Institute

for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is a nationally awarded institute that develops innovative and entrepreneurially minded leaders who are equipped to transform organizations, our communities, and the world.  This mission is carried out through best-in-class experiential learning programs, pitch competitions, new venture accelerators, and thought leadership forums.  

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Programs and Events

The Hill Institute develops entrepreneurial leaders through education, mentorship, and hands-on experience. Serving Furman students, graduate students, high school students, and community founders, our programs help innovators turn ideas into real-world ventures. Through initiatives such as Furman’s Next Big Idea, the Rinker Paladin Pitch Competition, GVL Starts, the Clemens Angel Analyst Fellowship, and the Innovation Academy, we support entrepreneurs at every stage—from ideation to launch. We also host forums, pitch events, and community gatherings that foster connection, expand learning, and strengthen Greenville’s innovation ecosystem.

Advantage Greenville
GVL Starts
FUtureX
Furman Innovation Lab
Furman's Next Big Idea
Innovation Academy
The Clemens Angel Analyst Fellowship
The Dins Student Marketplace
The Rinker Paladin Pitch Competition
Meet The Team
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Our Impact
  • 233
    ventures launched or accelerated since 2020
  • 47
    active industry and community partners in 2025
  • 150%+
    increase in incoming student interest in entrepreneurship since 2023
  • 382
    program graduates since founding

Andrew Farrell ‘25

Founder, LKRM

FutureX Participant ‘25 | Rinker Paladin Pitch ‘25

Innovation Fellow ‘23-24

Venture Fellow ‘24 | Clemens Angel Analyst Fellow ‘22

“Just months before graduating, I had the opportunity to further refine the messaging and delivery of my company, LKRM, in the annual Rinker Paladin Pitch Competition. Today, I’m continuing that work full time, as a part of the first-ever FutureX cohort, in Greenville, South Carolina – a city I can truly call home. The Hill Institute didn’t just open doors for me; it created a pathway from exploration to execution, turning ideas into impact. I could not be more thankful for the future this organization has provided me!”

Learn more about Andrew

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