Nominated nationally for “Excellence in New Venture Creation”, this transformational 9-week experience provides first-time founders around the Greenville, SC community with the right training, the right connections, and access to the right type of capital needed to successfully launch. The program includes 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. GVL Starts also serves as a unique bridge between the university and the community, as several Furman students and staff members have participated in this program to accelerate their own venture ideas. Each year, all of the Paladin Pitch Finalists receive a scholarship to participate in this program as a next step that also provides them with deep connectivity into the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. Since 2021, this program has supported the launch and acceleration of an incredibly diverse array of 119 ventures. Many of these have gone on to raise funds, hire their first employees, or open a physical store. Together with over 35 collaborating partners and organizations ranging from South Carolina’s Department of Commerce to the Truist Foundation, this program has proven to be a cornerstone of the rapidly growing Greenville, SC entrepreneurial ecosystem.

To learn more about the program, click here.