2026 Proving Ground

The Proving Ground is an entrepreneurial competition to identify and accelerate innovative business concepts. We're looking for ideas that will create sustainable businesses in South Carolina, leading to more prosperity through innovation in our state.

Teams of USC undergraduate students, graduate students and recent alumni (within three years) are eligible to compete for up to $25,000 in seed money, and for the chance to turn their ideas into reality.

Friday, April 17

8:30 am - 9:00 am Breakfast and Networking

9:00 am - 9:40 am Opening Remarks and Panel

9:00 am – 9:05 am Opening Remarks – Dirk Brown and Geoffrey Graybeal

9:05 am – 9:40 am Panel – Entrepreneurship in Academia (Dirk, Harding, Haj-Hariri, Cutler)

9:45 am - 12:00 pm Opportunity Workshop

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Lunch and Networking

12:30 pm – 12:45 pm Key Note Speaker: Ron Harvey

1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Proving Ground Competition

1:00 pm – 2:10 pm Final Presentations

2:10 pm – 2:25 pm Key Note Speaker: TBD

2:25 pm – 2:30 pm Proving Ground Awards

2:30 pm - 4:00 pm Startup Showcase

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher Dr. Deborah Hazzard, Associate Dean of Diversity & Inclusion