Vol Court - Spring 2020
Jan. 22 - Feb. 26, 2020
5:15pm - 6:15pm
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville, TN
Schedule
Vol Court includes five speaker sessions conducted by successful entrepreneurs and UT faculty and experts. Sessions are held Wednesday evenings during the fall and spring semesters. UT students, faculty, staff, alumni and local community members are welcome to attend. Participants are encouraged to attend all speaker sessions but attend at least four of the five speaker sessions to be eligible to pitch in week six. Prizes up to $1,500 plus prizes packages are awarded to the competition winners. There is no application or cost to attend this series, and participants are not required to pitch in order to attend.
Our Partners
Vol Court would not be possible without the support of our partners. Many thanks to first prize partner American Home Design, and to our in-kind partners UT Research Foundation, Pershing Yoakley and Associates, Morehous Legal Group, 3 Roots Capital, and Innovative Design, Inc.
If you are interested in partnering with Vol Court with either cash prizes or services, contact Shawn Carson or call 865-974-5126.
Wednesday, Jan. 22
5:15pm - 6:15pm
Session 1: Life Hacks for Entrepreneurs
Tips to navigate the chaos of entrepreneurship and life.
Shawn Carson, Entrepreneurship Faculty, UT
Haslam Business Building, room 201
Wednesday, Jan. 29
5:15pm - 6:15pm
Session 2: Trademarks, Patents, and Copyrights
Should you patent or register your trademark? What does a copyright do? Protecting your intellectual property is an essential part of your startup strategy.
Wade Orr, Esq., Intellectual Property Attorney, Luedeka Neely
Haslam Business Building, room 201
Wednesday, Feb. 05
5:15pm - 6:15pm
Session 3: Service Providers for Entrepreneurs
You can’t do everything and you can’t hire everyone. How to find others to help get your startup going.
Kevin Fillers, Business Manager, Innovative Design, Inc.
John Bruck, Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Haslam Business Building, room 201
Wednesday, Feb. 12
5:15pm - 6:15pm
Session 4: Social Media Marketing
What do I share? When do I share? How to make an effective social media marketing plan for your startup.
Colleen Cruze Bhatti, Owner, Cruze Farm
Peyton Baxter, Founder, love 'n' labels
Haslam Business Building, room 201
Wednesday, Feb. 19
5:15pm - 6:15pm
Session 5: Preparing Your Pitch
Learn how to pitch from a pitch competition pro! Former Vol Court winner, and winner of several national and international pitch competitions will share the importance of the pitch, elements that should be addressed in your pitch, and how to develop your pitch.
Tony Bova, Founder & CEO, mobius
Haslam Business Building, room 201
Wednesday, Feb. 26
5:15pm - 6:15pm
Pitch Competition
Let's hear from YOU! Join the fun and cheer on Vol Court participants as they pitch their business ideas in the spring 2020 Vol Court pitch competition.
Student Union, room 169