LAUNCH TENNESSEE (LaunchTN) announced today it has selected 17 entrepreneurially focused business competitions supported by ten host universities as partners in its statewide University Venture Challenge. Update: Vanderbilt statement here.
The goal of the statewide Venture Challenge is to create a more connected entrepreneurial community by engaging existing university programs.
Additionally, LaunchTN said it hopes to increase the amount of student-led entrepreneurial ventures and create an environment enabling them for success. LaunchTN will be offering up to $5,000 per competition in sponsorship funds to schools that choose to participate in the statewide challenge.
Winners from the past two school years of selected partner competitions are invited to apply for the Statewide Venture Challenge. The application process will open on April 1, 2016 and remain open through May 4, 2016.
There will be four company categories available - Commercialized Technology, Lifestyle Business, Social Enterprise and Tech-Enabled - with a winner being selected in each category.
Winners will be announced on May 20, 2016 and will receive a free ticket, travel stipend and recognition at LaunchTN's 36|86 conference in June.
Here are the institutional hosts, their departments and their branded competitions:
Lipscomb University
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Center for Entrepreneurship
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Kittrell Pitch Competition
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Middle Tennessee State University
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Wright Travel Chair of Entrepreneurship
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Business Plan Competition
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Sewanee, The University of the South
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Babson Center for Global Commerce
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Pitch Competition
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Tennessee State University
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Center for Entrepreneurship
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Business Plan Competition
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Tennessee Technology University
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Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
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Eagle Works Competition
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University of Tennessee Knoxville
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Anderson Center at UT
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Undergraduate Business Plan Pitch Competition
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University of Tennessee Knoxville
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Anderson Center at UT
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Vol Court Fall & Spring Course
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University of Tennessee Knoxville
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Anderson Center at UT
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Boyd Venture Challenge
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University of Tennessee Martin
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College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences
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Collegiate Business Concept Pitch Contest
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University of Memphis
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Crews Center for Entrepreneurship
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Crews Center Fast Pitch
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University of Tennessee Research Foundation
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Tennessee Venture Challenge
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University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
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Marketing & Entrepreneurship
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Elevator Pitch Competition
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Vanderbilt University (VU statement)
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Owen Graduate School
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Sohr Grant Recipients
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Vanderbilt University
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Owen Graduate School
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Owen Business Plan Competition
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Vanderbilt University
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VINES (Entrepreneurship Club)
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VINES 48 Hours Launch
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Vanderbilt University
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School of Engineering
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Engineering Management Capstone Pitch Competition
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Vanderbilt University
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Center for Tech Transfer & Commercialization
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TechVenture Challenge
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Additional information regarding eligibility and the application process can be found on our website.
This latest initiative is a complement to the existing Specialist Program and another way for LaunchTN to engage more students within the established entrepreneurial community across Tennessee. Created in 2014, The Specialist Program provides internship opportunities for college students, allowing them to work within one of the state's entrepreneur centers or with an existing startup company.
To date, over 50 students representing universities from across the country have gone through LaunchTN Specialist Program. 2016 applications for Spring & Summer opportunities are currently open. Interested students can click here to apply. [###]
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