In #StartupGVL, innovation isn’t just for our founders. 

You might not initially think a conference could be innovative. It’s just a conference, right? Well, the NEXT Venture Summit held September 12-13 included one-on-one meetings between founders and multiple investors from around the country in a single afternoon… which has NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE in the state of South Carolina!

We also had founders tossing t-shirts at people (more on that later). 

The Venture Summit started with “Matchmaking Day,” at the Huguenot Mill in downtown Greenville. There, 47 startups sat down with 22 investors to pitch their businesses. These 186 one-on-one meetings could result in funding, networking, or simple feedback to founders on how to pitch. Either way, founders had direct access to the people with capital, which doesn’t generally happen like this!

A more relaxed networking opportunity occurred later that night’s welcome reception at The Avenue. With the sun setting over a Greenville fall skyline, attendees enjoyed food, drinks, and the chance to forge meaningful connections.

Festivities renewed bright and early on Day Two, when speakers and panelists shared their knowledge and offered advice during the Summit Sessions at the Grenville ONE Center on West Washington Street. Attendees heard from keynote speaker Chris Heivly, co-founder of Mapquest, startup investor, founder, author and consultant.

The Ten Most Exciting Startups also addressed the crowd, which included Ric Hoke of WAVS Custom chucking t-shirts into the crowd.

We do things a little differently here in #StartupGVL… and it’s awesome!