Vanderbilt University has for the third consecutive time been entrusted with execution and operations of the Southeast Venture Showcase (SVS), with programming to be concentrated April 15, 2027, within the National Museum of African American Music, on Music City's legendary Broadway.

The SVS event earlier this year at Renaissance Hotel Nashville saw 44 startups--drawn from among 123 applicants--present their companies. 

The pipeline of candidate presenters was sorted by more than 70 serial entrepreneurs, investors and technology-sectors veterans, assisted by conference staff.

This year's event drew an overall 100-plus U.S.-based investors associated with firms representing an aggregate $100BN in assets under management.

As in 2025 and 2026 SVS editions, Vanderbilt has, in response to consensus among participating universities, assigned operation and administration of the high-profile 2027 project to Alan Bentley, who is assistant vice chancellor for technology transfer and intellectual property development in the Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization (CTTC).

The 2027 event is to be focused on "one full day of intentional programming designed to maximize company exposure, networking opportunities, and investor-founder connections," says the SVS website today.

The SVS event is organized and financed by sponsors, registered attendees, and the 25 research universities and labs based in the Southeast. SVS is a bona fide collaborative effort, and is not a registered entity.

The cohort of 25 collaborating institutions includes Duke University, Emory University, Florida State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Louisiana State University, Mississippi State University, North Carolina State University, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Texas A&M University, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of Arkansas, University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of Kentucky, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, The University of Oklahoma, The University of Tennessee Knoxville, The University of Texas, University of Virginia, Vanderbilt University, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest University, Auburn University, Baylor College of Medicine, and Clemson University.

VNC research indicates the interests of the participating SVS institutions are also complementary of the aims of the National Science Foundation's Mid-South I-Corps Hub, in which Vanderbilt also plays a leading role. Vanderbilt plays a leading role in the I-Hub, as well.

SVS sponsors this past spring included Pinnacle, JP Morgan, Oracle, JP Morgan, Brown Advisory, Holland & Knight, The University Financing Foundation, Polsinelli Law firm,

Bentley confirmed for VNC today that his lead staff member for SVS III is Donna Ingles, who is the CCTC's director of operations. VNC

.last edited 1530 21 October 2026