StartupGVL

Village Launch Block Party
2026-05-02 12:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Village Launch Market, 1225 Pendleton Street, Greenville, SC, 29611, United States
Stop by our Mill Village Block Party for some fun for the whole family! Grab a bite to eat from one of our many food vendors and trucks, then shop at over 20 vendors at our Village Launch Market. We’ll have a FREE petting zoo, children’s activities, and a few surprises to help celebrate Mother’s Day! You won’t want to miss this!

Village Launch Night Market
2026-05-01 17:00 - 20:00 | Village Launch Market, 1225 Pendleton Street, Greenville, SC, 29611, United States
Join us for our first Mill Village Night Market! We’ll have food trucks, beer, and 20+ vendors at our Village Launch Market, along with live music. Come grab a bite, shop around, and enjoy an evening with Mill Village!

Founder Friday
2026-05-01 17:00 - 19:00 | SC
​Founder Friday is a relaxed evening for entrepreneurs across the greater Greenville area to meet up, swap ideas, and enjoy some seriously good pizza at Todaro Pizza GVL. Whether you’re building your first business, growing something already in motion, or just curious about what others are working on, it’s a great chance to connect with people who get the ups, downs, and late-night brainstorming that come with starting something of your own.
​Come hungry, bring your ideas, and settle in for good conversation, new introductions, and a fun Friday-night atmosphere. Hosted by Launchpad, this is a laid-back way to meet fellow founders, share what you’re working on, and maybe leave with a few fresh connections and a spark of inspiration.

Women, Life and Science Conference & Retreat 2026
2026-04-30 08:00 - 17:00 | Prisma Health Welcome Center at Unity Park, 111 Welborn Street, Greenville, SC, 29601, United States
If you missed last year’s conference, this is your sign not to miss it again!

Women, Life, and Science is committed to creating a dynamic forum that brings together women thought leaders and industry experts from across the country to Upstate South Carolina. This full-day conference and retreat is designed to accelerate and empower women at every stage of their journey—whether they are entrepreneurs, executives, leaders, founders, or emerging professionals.
Now in its third year, our annual conference and retreat will spotlight the science of self, women’s health and advocacy, and will challenge all attendees to apply what they’ve learned from the day towards their personal call to action.
Join us for a day of inspiration, connection, and empowerment!
Why you absolutely should attend
This event isn’t just another conference: it’s a purposeful gathering aimed at accelerating and empowering women at every stage—whether you’re an entrepreneur, executive, innovator, educator or emerging professional in the science / health / leadership space.
Here are the key reasons:
1. Solve the “feeling stuck” problem
If you’re at a point where you’re wondering: What’s next for my career? How do I make bigger impact? How do I step into leadership or entrepreneurship? — this event addresses exactly those questions.
It focuses on navigating career transitions, finding your purpose and passion, and discovering practical tools for life + work.
2. Overcome isolation and lack of network
One of the big challenges for women in science / life / leadership roles is lack of access to supportive networks, mentors, sponsors, and peer champions.
This conference creates a space where you can connect with like-minded women, share experiences, get visible, and build relationships that extend beyond one day.
3. Raise your visibility & credibility
If you’re looking to be more than a participant—if you want to be seen, heard, credited and positioned as a leader or innovator—this event offers you a platform. Whether you seek to present your work, engage in thought-leadership, or simply align yourself with a movement of women doing big things in science and life, this is your stage.
4. Get inspiration + actionable tools
Events like this can often feel warm and fuzzy—but this one promises interactive sessions: exploring “science of self”, harnessing strengths for impact, attending panels about diverse workplace experiences, and getting practical career/entrepreneurship tools.
So you walk away not only inspired, but with tangible next-steps.
5. Be part of something bigger
Attending isn’t just about your own growth — it’s joining a community, a movement. The organizers of this event (Women, Life & Science) specify their mission as elevating women entrepreneurs, leaders and innovators in the science industry.
By being part of this, you also contribute to changing the landscape, increasing representation, and strengthening the ecosystem for women in science/life.

NextGEN Office Hours with Eric Weissmann & Tony Nolte
2026-04-24 11:00 - 13:00 | NEXT Innovation Center, 411 University Ridge, Greenville, SC, 29601, United States
NextGEN’s very own, Eric Wiessmann, will be hosting Fix My Pitch Office Hours focusing on storytelling & stage presence. If your pitch deck or simply your pitching skills need a refresher, these office hours are a great chance to get free help. Link to sign up: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tI0mXdxk0oYphsDoceuBKZjA8y5U1Msqf0dPybB1LJ8/edit?usp=sharing
Tony Nolte will also be here for his usual monthly office hours: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17obs1qCHNazyJkCtUDtE0NGZsuAf9F2C9TbHDtxD05Y/edit?usp=sharing

Advantage Greenville
2026-04-24 07:30 - 09:30 | Roam Greenville ONE, 2 W Washington St Suite 200, Greenville, SC, 29601, United States
Advantage Greenville returns with a topic that feels like the future, because it is. Venturing Beyond Earth: The Future of Space and Entrepreneurship is a high energy morning built for people who care about what’s next and want to understand where opportunity is moving before it becomes obvious.
Space is no longer a distant government only arena. It’s becoming a real platform for startups, new career pathways, and regional growth. This session will connect the dots between innovation on Earth and what’s being built for orbit, launch, data, hardware, software, and the supporting ecosystems that make it all possible.
Our keynote speaker is Antonio Peronace, Executive Director of Space for Humanity, bringing a clear and engaging perspective on how the space economy is evolving and where entrepreneurs, builders, and community leaders can plug in. Following the keynote, we’ll host a panel conversation on how South Carolina is actively building momentum through local South Carolina startups and initiatives like SC CubeSat Launch, powered by the South Carolina Research Authority and NASA-connected expertise.
You don’t need a technical space background to enjoy this. If you’re curious, you’ll leave with a sharper understanding of what’s happening right now, what’s coming next, and why it matters for Greenville and the Upstate.
Coffee, networking and light continental breakfast will be served. Come early, connect, and get ready for a morning that will beam you up to new horizons.

Women's Coworking Day
2026-04-23 10:00 - 17:00 | OpenWorks Coworking, 101 N Main Street Suite 302, Greenville, SC, 29601, United States
Join us on Thursday, April 23 from 10am – 5pm for the now monthly free Women’s Coworking Day at OpenWorks Coworking.
​You can drop in anytime! Settle in for some focused work, creative time, or just enjoy a change of scenery. Connect with other women and our event partner Molly’s Moms, a nonprofit organization that helps moms turn ideas into income through free resources, mentorship, and a supportive community!
​Snacks will also be provided. RSVP to attend and get event updates. If it’s your first time visiting OpenWorks Coworking, check out our Guest Access page for tips on finding us and parking. We are located at ONE City Plaza in downtown Greenville.

Community Day
2026-04-22 09:00 - 17:00 | Flywheel Coworking Greenville, 101 N Main Street, Greenville, SC, 29601, United States
Take a tour, grab some coffee, join us for a light lunch, and work from Flywheel for the rest of the day!

We invite you to join us for a Community Day here at Flywheel! Free coworking and while you’re here, enjoy our You’re So Fly member lunch. It’s a day to see how Flywheel coworking can help you be more productive in your work, more connected in your community, and accelerate your business.
Come enjoy the open coworking space, private offices, high-speed Wi-Fi, and always freshly brewed local coffee and beer!
We look forward to seeing you! To learn more about Flywheel or to sign up for a membership or private office visit: flywheelcoworking.com
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Take advantage of our Community Day to explore our space, get some work done, and join in our special events happening that day. Registration for Community Day is required for free coworking.
You’re So Fly, Tell Us Why (Member Lunch) | 12-1 pm | Social Commons
This members-only (and Community Day guests) social is a great opportunity to get to know fellow Flywheel community members. A light lunch will be provided and a pre-selected member will share what they are working on and passionate about.

Separating Personal & Business Finances Seminar
2026-04-21 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual
Help keep your business and personal finances separate as you make progress toward your work and life goals. Join the Chamber’s seminar on how to keep your finances separate for long-term success!

Fix My Pitch Workshop Series #1: Messaging
2026-04-21 10:00 - 11:30 | NEXT Innovation Center, 411 University Ridge, Greenville, SC, 29601, United States
You might have the right product. But are you telling the right story?
In this Fix My Pitch workshop, Nathan Robinson from SHOWOFF will walk founders through the fundamentals of strong storytelling. Learn how to frame your problem, articulate your value, and connect the dots in a way that makes people lean in.
From problem and origin to traction and vision, you will learn how to structure your message in a way that feels clear, compelling, and memorable.
If you have ever struggled to explain what you do in a way that truly lands, this session is for you.

Game Night
2026-04-18 17:00 - 20:00 | NEXT Innovation Center, 411 University Ridge, Greenville, SC, 29601, United States
Join us for Game Night at Bletchley Commons – a relaxed evening of free pizza, board games, and new friends. Whether you’re into classics like Uno, party favorites, or strategy games like Catan, we’ll have something for everyone.
Open to all members, students, and young adults aged 16-25, as well as their guests.
Bring a friend, or come solo and meet new ones.
Why come?
🍕 Free pizza (enough said)
🎲 Tons of board & card games
🌟 A chance to meet other game lovers in Greenville

2026 Rinker Paladin Pitch Competition
2026-04-16 15:00 - 17:30 | Timmons Arena, 3300 Poinsett Hwy, Greenville, SC, 29613, United States
The Rinker Paladin Pitch Competition, hosted by The Hill Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Furman University, brings together four student finalists as they pitch their BIG new venture ideas for the chance to take home the $10,000 Johnny Flynn Award. From 4:00 to 5:30 PM, a panel of judges will evaluate each pitch, and audience members will have the opportunity to cast a vote for their favorite venture, with the crowd favorite receiving a prize.
Leading up to the competition, join us for the Dins Student Marketplace from 3:00 to 4:00 PM, a one hour tabling experience where student entrepreneurs showcase, sell, and promote their businesses. Food and drinks will be served as we create space to connect with founders, discover new ideas, and support Furman’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem before the pitch competition begins.
Following the conclusion of the pitch competition, all registered attendees will be entered into a raffle with prizes awarded.
This year’s events will take place at Timmons Arena. Free parking is available in the lot directly in front of the arena.
Please note: The Rinker Paladin Pitch Competition will include flashing lights and pyrotechnic effects. If you have accessibility needs or concerns, we encourage you to reach out in advance.

Conversation & Ideation
2026-04-16 11:30 - 13:00 | Flywheel Coworking Greenville, 101 N Main Street, Greenville, SC, 29601, United States
Let’s dive into your ideas, challenge assumptions, and spark creativity at this interactive session – get ready to validate your hypotheses!

Launchpad Greenville Graduation
2026-04-15 18:00 - 20:00 | Flywheel Coworking Greenville, 101 N Main Street, Greenville, SC, 29601, United States
​Liftoff! is a celebration of the graduation of our 12 week cohort, featuring tech entrepreneurs who have spent the past few months building, testing, and sharpening their startups. Join us at Flywheel Coworking in Greenville for an evening with the founders, fresh ideas, and the momentum that comes from turning big plans into something real.
​Come cheer on the cohort, meet the people behind the companies, and get a feel for what they have been creating. Expect a lively room, inspiring conversations, and a chance to toast the progress, grit, and ambition that got these startups to the finish line, and to everything that comes next.

Business & Brews
2026-04-15 17:00 - 19:30 | Six & Twenty Distillery, 556 Perry Avenue, B103, Greenville, SC, 29601, United States
Business & Brews is back at Six & Twenty! Join for great conversations, cold drinks, and a special guest speaker: Heath Dillard, President & CEO of VisitGreenvilleSC. Let’s mix business with local culture and community. See you there!

NextGEN's Sydney Cooke Office Hours
2026-04-15 13:00 - 15:00 | NEXT Innovation Center, 411 University Ridge, Greenville, SC, 29601, United States
NextGEN’s very own, Sydney Cooke, will be hosting Fix My Pitch Office Hours focusing on marketing & design basics. If your pitch deck, social media channels, or website need a design refresher, these office hours are a great chance to get free help. Link to sign up: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rr7gcHN0NWrBOigfeXq9Pa8OqBu6Xyv2jplRASGDvyE/edit?usp=sharing

Grok Conference
2026-04-15 - 2026-04-17 | SC
Grok is an attendee-driven unconference that blends inspiring expert talks with participant perspectives. It brings together coders of beauty, business builders, pixel designers, team wranglers, organizers, and anyone passionate about making things better. The event features five world-class speakers who share insights on working with major global brands, building businesses of all sizes, creative direction, designing with code, making sense of data, and creating a fulfilling life and career. Grok is highly interactive and encourages participation through short 10- or 20-minute conversations or presentations led by attendees. Participants are invited to show up with ideas, questions, passions, half-formed theories, hobbies, and a willingness to actively engage with others who share a strong sense of curiosity.

SCRA Startups On Tap
2026-04-14 17:30 - 19:00 | Southernside Brewing Co, 25 Delano Dr., Greenville, SC, United States
We’ll celebrate newly accepted Member Companies, recognize those awarded grant funding, and spotlight recent SC Launch Inc. investments driving impact in our ecosystem. Hors d’oeuvres provided, and the first drink is on SCRA. Let’s raise a glass to the incredible companies shaping South Carolina’s future!

Village Launch Block Party
2026-04-11 10:00 - 14:00 | Village Launch Market, 1225 Pendleton Street, Greenville, SC, 29611, United States
Join us for a fun-filled day the whole family will love! Come hungry and explore a vibrant lineup of food trucks serving up a variety of delicious bites, enjoy a free carnival and kids’ activities, browse 20+ vendors at the Village Launch Market, and more! You won’t want to miss this!

Claude for Excel Guided Setup & Best Practices
2026-04-10 11:30 - 12:00 | Virtual
In this session Nathan Freystaetter, CEO of Go Fig, will guide you through setting up Claude for Excel inside your spreadsheets and best practices to get the most out of it and avoid hallucinations.

Pitch The Pros
2026-04-10 10:30 - 17:30 | PKL Park, 78 Mayberry St, Greenville, SC, 29601, United States
Entrepreneurs from across the country will take the stage to pitch their products before an exclusive, elite panel of some of the biggest pros in the industry.

As the excitement builds, the atmosphere is unlike anything you’ve seen before, a true Shark Tank style experience set in an incredible outdoor park in Greenville, South Carolina.

And the weather? Absolutely perfect for an unforgettable day of innovation, energy, and opportunity. With sunshine and ideal outdoor conditions expected, the stage is ready for founders to bring their best 90-second pitch and showcase their vision in front of a live audience.

Then, as the evening unfolds, the momentum continues with an exclusive fireside chat featuring the one and only People’s Shark, Daymond John.

Understanding Term Sheets Workshop
2026-04-08 09:30 - 11:30 | NEXT Innovation Center, 411 University Ridge, Greenville, SC, 29601, United States
Join NextGEN and Cliff Holekamp, Managing Director & General Partner of Cultivation Capital, one of the most active early-stage venture capital firms in the United States. Previously, Cliff was the Professor of Practice & Academic Director for Entrepreneurship at Washington University in St. Louis where he was named one of the top 100 entrepreneurship professors in the world and where he led the entrepreneurship program to a #1 world ranking.
In this information-packed workshop, Cliff will guide us through a term sheet and decode for us what each part means for a founder. This will help you learn how to read a term sheet and understand what each part means for you and your company as a founder.

Pixel Pushers Happy Hour
2026-03-31 17:30 - 20:00 | Liability Brewing, 109 W Stone Ave, Greenville, SC, 29609, United States
​Join us for happy hour at Liability Brewing from 5:30-8:00pm. Grab a drink, find a table, and mingle with others in Greenville’s creative community.
​​​Event Info:
​​​This event is free, hosted by our friends at Wonder and NOOON Studio. Drinks courtesy of Nicer Studio.
​We will be meeting at Pangea Brewing at 109 W Stone Ave Suite D in Greenville, South Carolina.
​Parking is available on site and across the street at Jack Porter. Use the crosswalk at the intersection of West Stone Avenue and Townes Street to cross. Limited street parking is also available on Townes, Neal, Earle and Wilton streets.

i4 Series: Marketing After AI: What Actually Works Now
2026-03-31 16:30 - 18:30 | Flywheel Coworking Greenville, 101 N Main Street, Greenville, SC, 29601, United States
Over the past year, founders around Greenville have watched high-volume SEO content lose traction, generic ad creative drive up acquisition costs, and basic lead magnets stop converting as buyers turn to AI for answers. Join us for our March networking event: Marketing After AI: What Actually Works Now where panelists share insights on what’s not working, where results are still holding up, and how teams are adjusting execution strategies. Stay to network afterward with fellow founders, funders, and collaborators.

The Startup Expo
2026-03-30 16:00 - 19:00 | Hendrix Student Center, 720 McMillan Rd, Clemson, SC, 29631, United States
This high energy event brings together student founders, early stage startups, investors, mentors, and community leaders to showcase emerging ventures and connect with the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem. Attendees will have the chance to explore startup booths, meet founders, learn about new technologies, and build meaningful connections with others who are passionate about innovation.
Whether you are a student exploring entrepreneurship, a founder looking to grow your network, or a community member who wants to support the next generation of builders, the Startup Expo is a great place to plug in and get inspired.
Come see what is being built, meet the people behind the ideas, and experience the momentum happening at Clemson.

Business Credit Builder Blitz
2026-03-27 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Calling all entrepreneurs! Jumpstart your credit to prepare your business for future financing.

Join us for CW’s Business Credit Builder Blitz! This online class will give you all the information you need to know to set up a Credit Builder account at CommunityWorks. This unique product allows business owners to build personal and business credit and create savings for their business. By the end of the Blitz, participants will have set up a Credit Builder account and have gained access to free financial and business coaching. Account holders can access up to a $500 match in savings!
To find out more details about the Credit Builder account and how to qualify for this exciting opportunity, click here. All South Carolina residents are welcome to join us for this online event!
The online class will include:

An overview of the Credit Builder Secured Savings, what it is, and who it is for.
A walk-through of the Credit Builder timeline, from starting an application to loan closing.
A session on essentials for securing a good business credit profile.
Instructions on accessing the Credit Builder Secured Savings Portal, completing your application, and uploading requested documents.

After the online class, you’ll have one week to start your application and upload all your documents. Once you’re done, the CommunityWorks staff will work to review all your documents and issue approvals within 7 days!
If you have any questions, contact Edris Tucker, AFC® at 864 236 6331 ext 541 or at etucker@cwcarolina.org.

Office Hours with Joe Milam & Tony Nolte
2026-03-27 10:00 - 14:00 | NEXT Innovation Center, 411 University Ridge, Greenville, SC, 29601, United States
Joe Milam with Fund That Tiger and Tony Nolte with Kim, Lahey, and Killough Law are available for office hours. Check NextGEN’s newsletters and website for the link to sign up!

Investor Happy Hour
2026-03-26 16:30 - 18:30 | New Realm Brewing, 912 S Main St, Greenville, SC, 29601, United States
Join us for our next exclusive (but informal) gathering in Greenville to connect and meet like-minded investors. The typical crowd includes people involved in early-stage companies: executives-turned-investors, investment firms, founders, wealth managers, advisors, attorneys, and maybe an academic or two.

Founder Roundtable with Keith Shields of Designli
2026-03-26 12:30 - 14:00 | Virtual
This interactive Q&A is designed for founders who are building their first MVP or recovering from a challenging development experience.

Join the non-technical founder roundtable featuring Keith Shields, CEO of Designli, for an interactive Q&A designed for founders who are building their first MVP or recovering from a challenging development experience.
This session is specifically for non-technical founders looking for practical guidance on validating their idea, navigating the product development process, and avoiding the common pitfalls that lead to wasted time and budget.
Bring your questions and real challenges-this is a conversation, not a webinar. After the session, attendees can take the next step with Designli’s free product audit. It includes an in-depth code review, UI/UX enhancement recommendations, and an actionable report with your platform’s strengths, weaknesses, and recommended strategies moving forward.

Coffee & Connections
2026-03-25 05:30 - 08:30 | Coffee Underground, 1 E Coffee St, Greenville, SC, 29601, United States
Live Interview. High-Signal Networking. From Concept to Code.

Great ideas don’t start in boardrooms. They start on the back of a napkin over a cup of coffee.
We’re bringing the local tech community together at Coffee Underground for an evening of high-signal conversation. Whether you’re sketching your first MVP, looking for your next portfolio company, or scaling a technical team, this is the room you want to be in.
Presented by Enteraxion, this is a night dedicated to the craft of building. We are hosting a night of networking followed by a deep-dive interview with our live guest speaker.
As specialists in web and mobile development, the Enteraxion team will be on-site to talk shop about moving from “back-of-the-napkin” concepts to fully scalable products. This is your chance to get a front-row seat to the reality of building in today’s tech landscape and connect with the people who make it happen.
Need more convincing? First round is on us!
