Cultivate
Cultivate prepares you to think critically, creatively, and innovatively to meet the grand challenges of the world through the cultivation of new business ideas in agricultural technology, food supply and safety, environmental conservation, sustainable packaging, and more. You develop your own entrepreneurial experience and teams can secure seed funding to make their ideas for an innovative product a reality.
Start Innovating
You do not need to wait until graduation to cultivate their business idea. Benefits of becoming an entrepreneur at Clemson include opportunities to receive $30,000+ in funding, faculty mentorship, free legal consulting, IP protection, and network expansion
Participation in Cultivate is open to all Clemson University undergraduate students; however, each student team must be majority undergraduate students with a CAFLS major and be mentored by a CAFLS faculty or staff member.
Pitch
Present your innovative idea for the opportunity to receive seed funding
Compete
Practice your pitch to receive feedback in preparation for the final CAFLS Pitch Competition. Then compete for up to $2000 in prize money to continue developing your idea!
Unleash
Brainstorm ideas, meet potential teammates, and learn more about Cultivate
Expand
Network with mentors and experienced entrepreneurs to further developyour idea
Design
Learn more about marketing, budgeting, and creation of a pitch to moveyour idea forward
Connect
Meet with your mentor to refine your plan and practice your pitch
Grow
Take your idea to the next-level by applying for the Clemson University pitchcompetition and exploring next steps
Schedule of Events
Cultivate offers many opportunities for students to develop entrepreneurial skills in addition to the primary pitch events. All required events in the program are designated.
| Event | Date & Time | Location | Event Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cultivate Interest Session | September 11 at 6:00 p.m. | Harris A. Smith 315 | Learn more about Cultivate and meet potential teammates. |
| Unleash Creativity | September 25 at 6:00 p.m. | Harris A. Smith 315 | Brainstorm ideas and join a team. |
| Idea Expansion | October 16 at 6:00 p.m. | Harris A. Smith 315 | Network with mentors, industry professionals & experienced entrepreneurs to expand your idea. |
| Pitch Design | October 30 at 6:00 p.m. | Harris A. Smith 315 | Learn more about marketing, budgeting, and creation of a pitch to move forward your idea forward. |
| Connect with Mentors | November 1 to 14 | Not applicable | Meet with your mentor to finalize your pitch for seed funding. |
| Seed Funding Pitch (Required) | November 20 at 6:00 p.m. | Harris A. Smith 315 | Pitch your innovative idea for the chance to receive up to $500 in seed funding! |
| Developing a Business Storyboard | January TBD | TBD | Learn how to develop a commercial to advertise your business idea. |
| Pitch Practice (Required) |
February 12 at 6:00 p.m
|
Brook T. Smith Launchpad | Participate in a full run-through of your pitch to receive constructive feedback prior to the final competition. |
| Cultivate Pitch Competition (Required) | March 12 at 6:00 p.m. | Brook T. Smith Launchpad | Present your business idea to a panel of judges and compete for up to $2000 in prize money! |
| Launchpad Liftoff Application | Late March TBD | Not applicable | Apply to participate in the University Launchpad Liftoff competition. |
| Grow | Late April TBD | TBD | Students will be provided resources to continue growing and improving their idea while also being challenged to think about how to make this experience transferable on their resume. |
Winners
Cultivate is an entrepreneurial program that aims to encourage Clemson students to develop ideas and explore innovative solutions to cultivate a unique business proposition. Students from the university’s College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences compete for prizes to help bring their business plan to life.
Learn More
