Over the last 8 weeks, 24 GVL Starts entrepreneurs have worked towards today — or as they know it — Demo Day. This evening, 6 finalists will pitch to local investors and an audience for a chance to win a $5,000 grant for their startup venture.
So, what exactly is GVL Starts?
It's a new program this year at Furman University’s Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (in partnership with local organizations like City of Greenville, Greenville Local Development Corporation + the South Carolina Department of Commerce).
GVL Starts teaches the skills needed to build a successful startup, connects budding entrepreneurs and business owners with like-minded community members, thinkers and leaders + helps turn ideas into action.
The finalists offer a range of products and services, from software technology to specialty footwear.
Here are the finalists:
Zachary Stephens + Chandler Long | Sustain Edu is a software platform for data collection and management related to campus engagement, education, volunteering, philanthropy + marketing.
Eric Cooperman | Bottle Titan beverage monitoring products tackle the multi-billion-dollar spoilage issue among beverage and wine suppliers, producers, consumers and collectors.
Eva K. + Henry Vega | Thyme and Play is a non-profit specializing in event accommodation, hosting + planning services for the disabled community.
LaShonn Edmunds | CAIRS Shoes feature a 4-way smart stretch design for women with medical conditions like lymphedema and swollen feet.
Christian Taylor | Project Conduit offers a recording studio model that provides access to services like coaching and tools that help advance musicians’ and producers’ careers.
Dionne Sandiford | Comfort Cover is a proprietary, easy-to-clean wrap-around cover for a mattress or sleeping pad featuring a built-in pillowcase + blanket and portability for disaster relief kits, daycares and on-the-go childcare.
Tune in virtually to watch Demo Day live from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Today
- The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) | Now-Sun., Nov. 7 | Centre Stage, 501 River St. | $15+ | Featuring all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays — performed in 97 minutes by 3 actors — this fast-paced, witty, and physical show is for Shakespeare lovers + haters alike. Ⓟ
- Fall for Greenville | Thurs., Oct. 7-Sun., Oct. 10 | Times vary | Downtown Greenville | Free entry | Fall for Greenville is back for its 40th year with three days of live music, activities, and 50+ food, beer + wine vendors.
- unWINEd Ladies Night | Thurs., Oct. 7 | 6-9 p.m. | Wild Hare Parlour, 2603 N. Pleasantburg Dr. Unit I | Free entry | Grab your girlfriends for a night of wine tasting, product sampling, snacks + a chance to win raffle prizes. 🍷
Friday
- Five Forks Brewing OktoBeerfest | Fri., Oct. 8-Sun., Oct. 10 | Times vary | Five Forks Brewing, Mauldin | Free entry | Don your lederhosen and head to Five Forks Brewing for a weekend of OktoBeerfest celebrations with live music by BellaNova Strings, food, and beer. 🇩🇪
- Zoo Tots | Fri., Oct. 8-Sat., Oct. 9 | Times vary | The Greenville Zoo | $10+ | Kids will read “The Three Little Pigs,” then practice their huffing and puffing skills as they build and destroy houses. 🐷
- Meet Your Makers Tour + Tasting | Fri., Oct. 8-Sat., Oct. 9 | Times vary | Vicario Micro-Distillery and Farm, 800 Old Jones Rd., Greer | $15 | Reserve your tickets ahead of time and tour the farm and processing area where Vicario has created 16 award-winning liqueurs. Ⓟ
Saturday
- VIBE 2021 | Sat., Oct. 9 | 2-5 p.m. | The Community Tap, 217 Wade Hampton Blvd. | $75 | Taste a collection of 60+ rare beers accompanied by local food at this beer fest.
- Hustle Pop Up Smoothie Bar | Sat., Oct. 9-Sun., Oct. 10 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 9, 12-3 p.m. Oct. 10 | Reid’s Fine Foods | Free | Stop by for smoothies, Blender Bombs + baked goods. 🥤
Sunday
- Playback Cafe Presents “Long Time No See” | Sun., Oct. 10 | 6 p.m. | Kroc Center Greenville | Free | The Playback Cafe returns after 18 months with a team of actors to listen to your stories, then play them back with improv and music.
Plan Ahead
- Tell-Me-A-Story Theatre: "Felix & The Monsters" | Tues., Oct. 19 | 9:45-10:15 a.m. | South Carolina Children’s Theatre, Prisma Health Lobby, 153 Augusta St. | Free | A chance for pre-K to early elementary children to hear a favorite story read + acted out in a high energy setting with audience interaction. Ⓟ
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Local entrepreneur Carlo White | Photo provided by City of Greenville
A: New players fuel innovation and progress. The City’s new “From Here You Can Change the World” initiative harnesses the power of a collective and collaborative spirit.
GVL’s existing entrepreneurs welcome growth because they are looking to learn from one another, build on one another’s successes and share experiences with those who truly understand their mindset.
Local entrepreneur Carlo White agrees: “Greenville’s business ecosystem — it’s that support group. That village. Our tribe.” Ⓟ
Weather
- 71º | Heavy rain | 91% chance of rain
Number
- 147. That’s how many units are proposed for a new senior living complex to be built near Unity Park. If approved, Southernside Greenville will include 2 sites on West Washington St. with one-bedroom units priced at $774 per month + two-bedroom units at $926 per month. (Greenville News)
- $95,000. That’s how much financial support Upstate non-profits received from A Community Thrives, a grantmaking + crowdfunding program from the USA Today Network and supported by the Gannett Foundation. The organizations included 864Pride, CA4 Innovation Charities and the South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families. (Greenville News)
Biz
- French automotive equipment provider Plastic Omnium is expanding its operations in Anderson, investing more than $17 million in the expansion and creating 76 jobs. The manufacturer has operated in the country for 25 years + plans to complete the expansion process by early 2022.
Cause
- Chemical catalysts manufacturer BASF in Seneca donated $5,000 + personal hygiene products to Grace’s Closet — a non-profit organization that serves in the community as a resource to students in need of basic necessities like food, clothing, hygiene and school supplies.
Job
- This year’s Hire Me SC Summit will align with National Disability Employment Awareness Month to educate business and human resources professionals looking to hire a workforce inclusive of people with disabilities. This virtual event will include networking opportunities, keynote speakers, and breakout sessions. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
Featured
- The Upstate’s own Campbell’s Covered Bridge was listed among 15 swoon-worthy covered bridges in the US by The Discoverer, noting its barn-like “charming bright red” color and “romantic surroundings.” We’re swooning.
Greenvillian
- Congratulations to Barbie Jefferson, the YMCA of Greenville's CFO, one of the 2021 Honorees of 25 Most Beautiful Women in the Upstate. The honor recognizes women who make the community more beautiful by the way they live their lives, putting others' needs ahead of their own. Read her story. Ⓟ
- Greenville Technical College Honors Student Jeremiah Tobin received a Congressional Gold Medal, representing South Carolina. If you didn’t already know — this honor is awarded to those who have carried out a minimum of 400 community service hours + 200 hours of personal development and physical fitness. Congrats, Jeremiah. 🏅
Edu
- Christ Church Episcopal School’s Cav Annual Giving Fund is in full swing. Gifts to the Cav Fund allow CCES to maintain their commitment to providing students with an exceptional educational experience + to carry on the school’s traditions of excellence, community, and caring. Here's how to give. Ⓟ
Health
- Knowing your hereditary risks can help you proactively decrease your chance of getting cancer. Prisma Health's certified genetic counselor Gail Stapleton and oncology nurse navigator Julia Yates explain what you need to know in this podcast. Ⓟ
Correction
- We mentioned news about Belladina’s new concept yesterday, but it didn’t make the cut. We’ll blame our pizza daydreams. Get excited — Belladina’s Italian Market is coming to Mauldin’s BridgeWay Station. Half of the space will serve up casual Italian food + pizza, while the other will be a market stocked with authentic Italian goods + foods. 🇮🇹
40 years ago Bob Bainbridge founded Fall for Greenville. What started as a 1-day event with 1 stage and 14 vendors grew into what we know it to be today: 4 days of music from 75 bands on 6 stages with more than 50 food + drink vendors.
Angie Prosser — director of Parks, Recreation and Tourism for Greenville — has been almost every year and remembers Fall for Greenville through the years (the good, the bad and the ugly). Read more about Angie’s memories of the festival here.
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