LaunchTN selects partners for Statewide University Pitch Competition

Submitted, updated 18 March 16
Published Friday, March 11, 2016 3:31 pm

LaunchTN selects partners for Statewide University Pitch Competition | Launch Tennessee, LaunchTN, TTDC, Tennessee Technology Development Corporation, economic development, education, universities, business competitions, pitch days, investors, statewide university pitch competition,

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	Center for Entrepreneurship	Kittrell Pitch Competition
Middle Tennessee State University	Wright Travel Chair of Entrepreneurship	Business Plan Competition
Sewanee, The University of the South	Babson Center for Global Commerce	Pitch Competition
Tennessee State University	Center for Entrepreneurship	Business Plan Competition
Tennessee Technology University	Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship	Eagle Works Competition
University of Tennessee Knoxville	Anderson Center at UT	Undergraduate Business Plan Pitch Competition
University of Tennessee Knoxville	Anderson Center at UT	Vol Court Fall & Spring Course
University of Tennessee Knoxville	Anderson Center at UT	Boyd Venture Challenge
University of Tennessee Martin	College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences	Collegiate Business Concept Pitch Contest
University of Memphis	Crews Center for Entrepreneurship	Crews Center Fast Pitch
University of Tennessee Research Foundation		Tennessee Venture Challenge
University of Tennessee, Chattanooga	Marketing & Entrepreneurship	Elevator Pitch Competition
Vanderbilt University (VU statement)	Owen Graduate School	Sohr Grant Recipients
Vanderbilt University	Owen Graduate School	Owen Business Plan Competition
Vanderbilt University	VINES (Entrepreneurship Club)	VINES 48 Hours Launch
Vanderbilt University	School of Engineering	Engineering Management Capstone Pitch Competition
Vanderbilt University	Center for Tech Transfer & Commercialization	TechVenture Challenge

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. [###]