The Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ACEI) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Haslam College of Business hosted its Spring 2025 Bridging Research and Practice event, titled “Show Me the Money,” on February 26 at Kern’s Food Hall. The event centered on funding and financing strategies for ventures at various development stages, attracting over 60 attendees, including entrepreneurs and investors, as well as UT students, faculty and staff.
Moderated by Melissa Cardon, Clark Family Faculty Fellow, James A. II & Natalie L. Haslam Distinguished Professorship in Innovation & Entrepreneurship and ACEI research director, the panel featured faculty members Tim Pollock, Haslam Chair of Business & Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurship and Kinney Family Faculty Research Fellow, and Joan Heminway, Rick Rose Distinguished Professor of Law. Entrepreneurs Anca Timofte and Jian Huang also served on the panel. Their discussion encompassed diverse funding sources such as personal networks, government and non-profit grants, competitions, accelerators, crowdfunding, angel investors and venture capitalists.
Timofte highlighted the challenges in securing initial funding, noting, “It’s not that easy to find funding because not everyone has friends that can loan them $10,000 to get started.” Heminway emphasized the importance of careful consideration when accepting external financing. “Taking financing from others has risks that should be carefully considered with business and legal advisors,” she said.
Pollock identified common pitfalls in the funding process, including “trying too early, not understanding what the potential interests and concerns of funders and investors, giving away too much and thinking your company is worth more than it is.” Huang added, “Different funders are looking for different things from you and your company.”
The panelists collectively advised against relying solely on online information for business initiation and financing. They recommended engaging with industry peers and legal advisors to gain comprehensive insights into available options. Resources at UT, such as the ACEI Startup Coaches and the UT Research Foundation, were highlighted as valuable support systems for entrepreneurs.
Cardon was pleased with the event’s success and the community turnout. “This Bridging Research Event was our largest to date, with over 60 attendees, including active entrepreneurs, investors and other members of the Knoxville entrepreneurship ecosystem, along with UT students, faculty and staff,” she said. “What a fantastic opportunity for us to share ideas and expertise, make new connections and learn by deliberately integrating knowledge generated through our research with practical experience of entrepreneurs.”
About the Bridging Research and Practice Event Series
The Bridging Research and Practice series supports the ACEI’s research mission of forging connections between academics and practitioners, particularly by connecting UT researchers with Knoxville’s entrepreneurship community. The series aims to foster dialogue between academics and practitioners about the challenges entrepreneurs face and the related findings from ACEI research that may help entrepreneurs prepare for and address those challenges. This event series creates an opportunity for both researchers and practitioners in the Knoxville community to bring value to one another.
The next Bridging Research and Practice event is planned for fall 2025.
About the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
The Anderson Center, housed in Haslam, is the front door to entrepreneurship at UT, connecting entrepreneurs and innovators at every stage with the resources, networks and expertise needed to solve real challenges. By cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset across campus, connecting entrepreneurs with resources and mentorship they need to grow and collaborating with the UT and regional ecosystem, the Anderson Center is developing an entrepreneurial culture where Volunteers are empowered to identify unmet needs and take bold action to create value through new ventures.
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CONTACT:
Morgan Lounds, marketing and events coordinator, mlounds@vols.utk.edu
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