NextGEN’s New Fix My Pitch Program
Every startup has a pitch. But not every pitch is actually working.
Too often, founders are walking around with a deck or a one liner that explains what they do, but does not land, connect, or clearly communicate the value of what they are building. That is the gap NextGEN’s brand new Fix My Pitch program is designed to address.
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A New On Ramp To Entrepreneurship In Greenville
One of the best things about Greenville’s entrepreneurial community is that there is no single way in. Some founders come through accelerators. Some start as side hustles. Others begin with a class, a skill, or a moment of curiosity.
This Tuesday, February 10, Greenville Literacy Association is launching a brand new program that adds another meaningful entry point into the local startup ecosystem.
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Hone Opens Its Doors: A Culinary Hub for Greenville’s Startup Community
Greenville’s startup scene just got a little tastier! Hone, a shared kitchen space, has officially opened, giving local food entrepreneurs the tools, space, and community they need to grow their businesses. For food founders, access to commercial-grade kitchen space can be a big hurdle, and Hone is here to change that.
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Welcoming Bletchley Institute and Clarke College to the StartupGVL Community
Greenville’s tech community thrives when more people have access to pathways into learning, building, and growing. That’s why we’re excited to welcome Bletchley Institute and Clarke College into the StartupGVL community. These organizations bring new approaches to hands-on learning and early career exploration, adding to the strong foundation already built by groups across the region.
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South Carolina’s Next Wave of Founders: Highlights from the 2025 Palmetto Pitch Competition
South Carolina’s entrepreneurial future was on full display as Clemson University hosted the 6th Annual Palmetto Pitch Competition at the Brook T. Smith Launchpad and this year set a new record. Nearly 200 attendees gathered to watch student founders from colleges and universities across the state compete, connect, and showcase ideas with the potential to shape South Carolina’s next decade of innovation.
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What’s Next for Greenville? Reflections from Advantage Greenville
Last week, Furman’s Hill Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, together with the Furman Alumni Council, hosted a thoughtful conversation about the future of Greenville at Flywheel Coworking. Designed as a “What’s Next” event, it brought together founders, civic leaders, investors, and alumni to explore the next chapter of Greenville’s growth.
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RevUp GVL: Fueling Innovation in Greenville’s Nonprofit Community
When the federal government scaled back many grant programs in early 2025, local nonprofits began asking an urgent question: What’s next? Enter RevUp GVL, a first-of-its-kind event designed to help nonprofits think like startups, find new revenue sources, and strengthen the foundation that keeps Greenville’s community thriving.
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When Music Meets the Chessboard
For Adrienne Tellier, creativity and teaching have always gone hand in hand. She studied musical theatre and then she spent years performing on stage, teaching kids’ programs, and writing curriculum for an education startup in New York City. During the pandemic, Adrienne and her husband returned to her birth town, drawn to Greenville’s thriving arts and food scene and the chance to start a family in a place that felt both familiar and inspiring.
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From Ink to Impact: The Evolution of Dapper Ink and The Landmark Project
When Matt and Jen McManus started printing t-shirts after college in 2007, it was mostly for friends and family—word-of-mouth projects pulled together with grit and a love of creativity. But what began as a side hustle quickly became a business, and then something even bigger.
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Toni & Tucker: Fashion That Fits
Toni Carter’s journey to founding Toni & Tucker Co. started with a simple but powerful observation: clothes don’t fit people the way they should. As a fashion and technical designer who’s worked for some of the industry’s major apparel brands, Toni quickly noticed a glaring gap in the system. It wasn’t just about sizes — it was about shapes.
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