About

Where Southeastern science meets venture capital

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. It is where investors and early-stage technology ventures come together to accelerate the productization of cutting-edge research and create stakeholder value.

SVS is organized by a coalition of the Southeast’s research universities and led by Vanderbilt University’s Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization. The pipeline is regional. The audience is national.

SVS 2027

Thursday, April 15, 2027, at the National Museum of African American Music in downtown Nashville. One full day of programming, built to maximize company exposure, networking, and investor–founder connections.

  • 60 companies
    Forty-eight present live in one of two showcase rooms. Twelve additional startups participate through demo booths and networking.
  • Two tracks
    Healthcare and Biotechnology, and Physical Sciences and Engineering.
  • The room
    Investor panels, keynotes, startup demo booths, and curated networking, including exclusive VIP investor and founder conversations.
  • Who attends
    Twenty to thirty of the Southeast’s top research institutions, 150+ angel, venture, and strategic investors, and selected guests from the regional innovation ecosystem.

Fifth + Broadway, 510 Broadway. Venue. Register — $200. Travel and lodging are on each participant.

How a company earns the stage

Participation is competitive. Institutions put forward their strongest ventures, and an academic committee makes the final call. The target is an investible company.

  • A real license path
    A secured license or option with the affiliated university, or active negotiations for one.
  • A business lead
    At least one employee who is not employed by the university, beyond the principal investigator.
  • External vetting
    A business concept that has already survived review by a technology transfer office or by reviewers outside the university.
  • Investor-ready preparation
    Selected teams receive coaching and pitch practice before they present.

Eligibility details are on the FAQ.

The record

The inaugural showcase was held in Nashville in 2025. The second followed in 2026. Participating institutions account for 11 or more of the nation’s top 50 research universities and 22 of the top 100, ranked by the National Science Foundation. Together they launch 150+ startups a year on more than $18 billion in annual research and development.

  • 2026
    44 academic startups seeking more than $200 million. More than 100 investors, over $100 billion in assets under management. Twenty-five Southeastern universities and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
  • 2025
    46 academic-affiliated startups seeking more than $170 million. More than 100 investors managing over $40 billion in assets. After the event, 85 percent of investors contacted startups, and every responding investor said they would recommend SVS.

2026 highlights · 2025 highlights · Participating institutions