LaunchTN announces statewide university pitch competition

Launch Tennessee announced plans this week to launch a Statewide University Venture Challenge. LaunchTN will partner with existing university competitions, offering financial and programmatic support, as well as the opportunity to compete against other university winners.
 
To complement existing university challenges across Tennessee, LaunchTN will partner with interested schools and invite the top three student teams from their respective competitions. Those top three teams will then be invited to submit an application to LaunchTN that will be reviewed by regional investors, experienced entrepreneurs, corporate partners and community leaders. Four overall winners will be selected, receiving a cash prize of up to $10,000 and admission to LaunchTN’s 36|86 conference where they will be recognized as a Top Tennessee University Startup.
 
LaunchTN will also offer up to $5,000 per competition in sponsorship funds to schools that choose to participate in the statewide challenge.
 
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’s Specialist Program.

2016 applications for Spring & Summer opportunities are currently open. Interested students can click here to apply.