As we reflect on this past year (how is it already 2024?!), NEXT focused on our main goals: support the broader #StartupGVL community, engage high-growth entrepreneurs, and measure the impact of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Our vision is of a robust community that provides entrepreneurs with the resources they need to scale a business in this amazing city we love. (ICYMI, check out our countdown to the holidays!)
Let’s look back on some snapshots of how we did this in 2023:
NEW Programs we have launched
- Accelerator Program – Graduated 2 cohorts of 18 companies
- Growth Labs – 2 focused on Design Thinking & No Code Solutions
NEXT Events
- 10 Founders Forums – ranging from storytelling to angel investing
- #StartupGVL Launchpad – 7 startups won packages from SEO to finance help
- NEXT Venture Summit – including the very 1st Match Day!
- 2 Accelerator Showcases – 18 pitches and lots of great memories
- 1 SUDs – startup drinks in the summer
1st Greenville-based Match Day @ NEXT Venture Summit
- 24 investors met with 47 ventures speed-dating style
- 186 curated pairings = countless conversations, connections, and at least 1 investment (so far…)
Community Events [featuring NEXT]
- #StartupGVL Night at the Greenville Drive (where we announced the 10 Most Exciting Startups in the Region)
- October Beer & Napkins
- Chamber of Commerce Leadership Exchange to Nashville, TN
Other City Visits to Greenville:
- VOKA, 14 Flemish entrepreneurs traveled to the Upstate from Belgium
- Hattiesburg, MS
- Paragould, AR
- New Braunfels, TX
Founders – You inspire us. Every day.
Here’s to our continued success in 2024 and beyond!
