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The Hill Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship to Launch SHIFT, a New Connection of Greenville’s Emerging Founders
New event will bring GVL Starts founders and Greenville’s entrepreneurial community together on Nov. 5
GREENVILLE, S.C. — Sept. 21, 2026 — The Hill Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Furman University will launch SHIFT, a new event celebrating the founders completing the nine-week GVL Starts venture-building program, on Nov. 5 from 6:30–9:30 p.m. at the Crescent Innovation District in Greenville, S.C.
“This is no longer a pitch competition or venture showcase. This is re-defining how we as a community celebrate the builders of our future we call entrepreneurs.” said Bryan Davis, Executive Director at Furman’s Hill Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. “SHIFT is an opportunity for the Greenville community to show up, meet the founders building what’s next, and create connections that can drive those ventures forward…and it won’t be boring, either.” he added.
SHIFT is a free, high-energy night bringing together founders, customers, investors, business leaders, creatives, students, mentors, and the Greenville community to celebrate the launch of Greenville’s newest ventures.
Skip the formalities and join us for the party! Rather than a traditional pitch competition, SHIFT will give attendees the opportunity to experience the founders’ ventures firsthand. Guests will move throughout the space, discover what founders are building, participate in live conversations, try products and services, share expertise and make connections — all alongside music, food, drinks and other unexpected moments.
The event marks a new chapter in how GVL Starts founders connect with the Greenville community after nine weeks of hands-on venture building.
“A founder discovers GVL Starts is a mix of excitement, uncertainty, frustration, confidence, setbacks, and small wins that start to build momentum for their venture. Over nine weeks, founders learn to let go of assumptions, talk to customers, make uncertain decisions, listen to their gut, and keep moving until the idea in their head becomes a real company.” shared Eric Cooperman, The Hill Institute’s Managing Director.
At SHIFT, attendees will have opportunities to support founders in practical ways — whether by becoming an early customer, offering expertise, making an introduction, providing mentorship, exploring investment opportunities or connecting founders with people who can help them take their next steps.
The event is open to members of the Greenville community who are interested in entrepreneurship, innovation and the people building businesses in the region.
SHIFT
Nov. 5, 2026 | 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Crescent Innovation District | Greenville, S.C.
RSVP HERE
About GVL Starts
GVL Starts is a nine-week venture-building experience for early-stage founders designed to move ventures beyond ideas and into action. The program emphasizes hands-on venture building, with founders engaging directly with customers, testing assumptions, developing and refining their offerings, and working with experienced mentors to move their ventures forward.
About The Hill Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
The Hill Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Furman University connects students, entrepreneurs, mentors, industry partners and the Greenville community to develop entrepreneurial skills, explore opportunities and turn innovation into real-world outcomes.