Spring Launch Party
The Spring Launch Party is a celebration of student entrepreneurs who have moved beyond the idea and are building something real.
Hosted by the Center for Entrepreneurship, the Spring Launch Party brings together Appalachian State University students, faculty, staff, and members of the Boone community for an evening of student pitches, great food and beverages, networking, and celebration.
How Do We Celebrate?
We throw a party!
Five student entrepreneurs take the stage to pitch their ventures to a panel of experienced entrepreneur judges—and a room full of people ready to cheer them on.
The judges provide feedback and award $5,000 in prize money:
- First Place — $3,000
- Second Place — $1,500
- Third Place — $500
What Happens at the Spring Launch?
Five finalists present their businesses in a 10-minute pitch to a panel of entrepreneur judges.
But this isn’t just about a great pitch. The students on the Spring Launch stage have spent time developing their ventures, talking with customers, refining their value propositions, building their business models, and understanding what it will take to turn their businesses into something sustainable.
The judges provide feedback and ultimately select the ventures they believe are most ready to launch.
Why the Spring Launch Party?
Ideas are exciting. Execution is what turns them into something real.
The Spring Launch Party celebrates students who have taken action on their ideas and done the work to move their ventures forward.
Finalists come prepared with a clear vision for their business, a viable business model, an understanding of their customers, and a plan for generating revenue and moving forward.
Ready to Put Your Business to the Test?
How far can you take your business this spring?
If you’re actively developing a venture and ready to show us what you’ve built, throw your hat in the ring for a chance to pitch at the Spring Launch Party and compete for $5,000 in cash prizes.
The application includes the current competition timeline, submission deadline, eligibility requirements, and everything you need to know about entering.
Thank you to the Spring Launch Party Sponsor
The Anne Cannon Trust was established in 2004 to fund non-profit organizations in North Carolina. With the main focus on supporting North Carolina- based institutions of higher education, the Anne Cannon Trust offers financial aid in the forms of academic and travel scholarships. The Anne Cannon Trust has historically worked with North Carolina learning institutes to support the academic, cultural, and personal enrichment of students of all ages. By funding scholarships like travel abroad programs and individual academic aid, the Anne Cannon Trust enables students to take full advantage of extracurricular experiences paramount to shaping the whole student today while enhancing their competitive edge in the workforce. Wherever possible, Anne Cannon Trust partners with organizations that share the same mission of advancing students across all their educational endeavors and, wherever possible, focusing on under-represented classes. Outside of the educational scope, the Anne Cannon Trust also provides additional support for non-profit organizations focusing on health and environmental advocacy within North Carolina.
Highlights from Past Spring Launch Party Events
