What is the Southeast Venture Showcase?
The Southeast Venture Showcase is a transformational event that empowers research universities and federal laboratories across the Southeast to showcase their most promising technology ventures for the nation’s venture community. This exclusive showcase is where investors and early-stage technology ventures come together to accelerate the productization of cutting-edge research outcomes that drive real-world impact and create stakeholder value.
Who is attending the Southeast Venture Showcase?
Attendants will include:
- 22 research institutions
- 100+ angel, venture, and strategic investors from around the world
- Selected guests, including serial entrepreneurs from throughout the nation
Who are the participating research institutions?
Coming soon!
When and where is the event?
April 20-21, 2026, in Nashville, TN at Renaissance Nashville Hotel
What is the format of the event?
- The showcase will be a multi-day event, with a kickoff reception exclusively for presenters and investors, and it will be split into tracks: Life Sciences (Healthcare/Bio) and Physical Sciences (Engineering, Computer Sciences, Clean Tech/Sustainability).
- Teams selected for the showcase will give a live pitch and will have the opportunity to network informally with other presenters and investors from around the world.
- There will also be featured investor panels, both regional and national, discussing the key to successful university commercialization, and a special keynote featuring an immensely successful university exit.
Who organizes the event?
Vanderbilt University hosted SVS 2025 and led a coalition of the Southeast’s most prestigious research universities. The host city will rotate annually in future years. Vanderbilt will host again in 2026, and then the host city will rotate annually in future years.
How many startups will participate in the pitching?
The total number of presenting companies will be determined by the selection committee based on independent judging by investors and serial entrepreneurs, conducted online in October – November 2025. Presentations per track will depend on the number of completed applications.
What are the eligibility requirements for the startup applicants?
Final eligibility will be determined by the academic committee. The target company is one that is investible; attributes of an investible company include:
- Secured a license or option with the affiliated university, or is in negotiations for a license or option
- Has at least one non-university-employed employee (aka, a business lead beyond the PI)
- Has a business concept that has received and survived external vetting (from TTO or from outside the university)
- Has the start of a business pitch/presentation
What is the timeline for the application process?
All important dates for the application, review, and selection process are available here.
Important Dates (2026)
Call for Submissions - Applications Open
Deadline for submission of Applications
Team Selection
Registration Open
Registration Closes
How will startups be selected?
Startups will be scored by 6 to 8 independent judges. Each startup’s blended score will be compared to all others, and the top scorers will be selected to participate (which will include alternates). Selections will be reviewed by the university stakeholders to ensure accuracy and appropriateness of the selections.
What is required of each startup participating?
- Engagement with the pitch coach
- Engagement with selected mentors
- Multiple practices of the pitch
- Timely copy of the pitch deck
- Recorded pitch practice
- Short write-up/description of company for web posting and marketing
- Short video summary of the company and the opportunity
- Attendance at the Showcase
What is the cost to attend the Showcase?
There is no application fee or charge to register or attend. Participants are responsible for their own travel, lodging, and other associated costs.
