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Clemson's Entrepreneurship Hub

Brook T. Smith Launchpad

Our Ten Vectors

Vector: an object that has both magnitude and direction.

We have identified, organized, and deployed ten powerful Vector Teams comprised of successful alumni founders and other entrepreneurship experts to provide wisdom and momentum for our unique Vectors. These devoted members of the Clemson Family will share their time, talents and treasures to benefit our students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni and communities throughout the state and country. There are multiple ways to get involved if you are interested! Call or write our Founding Director, Dr. John Hannon (jmhanno@clemson.edu, 864-656-5868).

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Vector Description and Leadership

1. Experiential Learning

Fund 50 person (domestic) and/or 24 person (international) entrepreneurial + historical study tours.

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Edward Giard
'87, Mechanical Engineering
edwardogiard.jr@gmail.com
LinkedIn

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Stan Clifford
'73, Economics
stanclifford51@gmail.com
LinkedIn

2. Inclusive Entrepreneurship

Fund scholarships for underrepresented students to attend existing programs and/or develop such programs in-house.

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Dave Kerford
'97, Mathematics - Computer Science
dave.kerford@gmail.com
LinkedIn

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Berica Robinson
'09, Parks, Recreation and Tourism & '17, Masters in Business Administration
berica.robinson@gmail.com
LinkedIn 

3. Sports Entrepreneurship

Partner with sports teams and/or sports-affiliated corporations to provide students with a multitude of founder, intern and employment opportunities.

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Andy Monin
'94, Political Science
andymonin@gmail.com
LinkedIn

4. Veterans Entrepreneurship

Partner with veterans and veteran-affiliated corporations to provide students with a multitude of founder, intern and employment opportunities.

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Frank Blake
'00, Political Science
frankblake@gmail.com
LinkedIn

5. Social Entrepreneurship

Partner with socially conscious individuals, foundations, and corporations to provide students with a multitude of founder, intern and employment opportunities.

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Hannah Davis
'19, Political Science
hannah@bangsshoes.com
LinkedIn

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Kara Walsh
'89, Marketing
kara@nosmallplan.com
LinkedIn

6. Venture Finance

Partner with venture capitalists, angel investor networks, family offices, investment banking firms, private equity firms and sovereign wealth funds to provide students with a multitude of founder, intern and employee opportunities.

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Keith Hudgins
'82, Finance
keithhudgins60@gmail.com
LinkedIn

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Peter Markham
'90, Marketing
Peter@tmtcapital.com
LinkedIn

7. Generative AI

Create an AI Center (hardware, software, office and advisory resources) capable of supporting up to four student AI startups.

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Lisa Taylor
'92, Finance
taylorlisaf@gmail.com
LinkedIn

8. Biomedical - SCIENCE

In partnership with the College of Science, promote the advancement of precision medicine ventures, including those that optimize the use of healthcare analytics and those that focus on at-risk, historically neglected American populations.

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Woody Bryan
'87, Zoology
wbryan@revolobio.com
LinkedIn

9. Engineering Leadership - CECAS

In partnership with the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences, assist with the development and delivery of content to enable students to seamlessly and successfully join and contribute to new products and new venture creation.

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Greg Smith
'84, Mechanical Engineering
gregsmittie@gmail.com
LinkedIn

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Allison Conrad
'87, Engineering
allison.conrad@accenture.com
LinkedIn

10. Funding

Create fund(s) and an investment advisory board to figure out how to best seed Clemson-affiliated startups with grants and investments (teams who have already formed LLCs or C Corps, have Operating Agreements, have Business Plans, etc.).

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Matt Dunbar
'99, Chemical Engineering
matt@venturesouth.vc
LinkedIn 

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Doug Haugh
94, Chemical Engineering
doughaugh@gmail.com
LinkedIn