Clemson Entrepreneurs

The Brook T. Smith Launchpad recently brought interns to visit Oasis Ranch in Seneca, owned by Clemson alum John Woodruff. More than a tour, it was a chance to hear from an entrepreneur whose journey reflects true passion. As John shared, you have to love the work you do each and every day. That passion shows in how he maintains his mini golf course and builds a second one alongside it.

After graduating from Clemson in 1981 with a degree in Ornamental Horticulture with a minor in business and agronomy, John spent 35 years in construction, creating waterfalls before dedicating six years to building his dream course home to waterfalls, koi fish, frogs, and turtles. It’s clear this is a family that truly bleeds orange—John and his wife, along with two of their three children, are proud Clemson alumni. Go Tigers!

We had 40 attendees, including Fall ’25 and Spring ’26 interns, as well as friends and mentors, who came together to learn, reflect, and connect. We are proud of these students and excited to see what they do next.

The Spring Blue Ridge Market at Clemson’s Carillon Garden was a success! It was a beautiful spring day full of supporting students, faculty, staff, and alumni entrepreneurs and their hard work. Attendees had the opportunity to shop from a variety of vendors featuring clothing, handmade goods, and unique finds. We also want to thank One Love Fusion Food Truck and The Belgian Waffle Cart for coming out to work with us.

We’re looking forward to the Fall Blue Ridge Market, which will be held on Friday, September 18. Be sure to mark your calendars!

The Launchpad Liftoff Pitch Competition is happening TODAY!

Join us from 4–6:15 PM at the Brook T. Smith Launchpad to support innovation,cheer on the finalists and be part of the excitement!

Click the link in our bio to RSVP to join us in person (encouraged but not required).

If you can't be with us in person, tune in on Zoom using the link in our bio.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Maggie Guerra Ayala at [email protected].

Class sign-ups are coming soon, and there’s a great opportunity waiting for you!

And as you begin planning your schedule for the Fall 2026 semester, consider this amazing opportunity:
There’s plenty of time to sign up for this weekly class with Greg Smith, an expert in startups, at the Brook T. Smith Launchpad. Join us every Monday this fall semester from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. for a seminar on the Art and Science of Startups!

This Creative Inquiry class runs from August 24 to November 30. Don’t miss out. Add it to your plan for your Fall 2026 academic schedule! Students can earn 1 credit hour using course code INNO 1990, Section 020.

Looking for your next internship or job opportunity? 🚀

Join us at the 2026 Startup Expo to build connections with employers, explore a variety of career paths, and take your next step towards the future of your dreams. Bring your resume, dress to impress, and get ready to network with startup companies looking for students just like you!

RSVP encouraged, but not required, using the link in our bio.

Questions? Contage Maggie Guerra Ayala at [email protected].

The week of March 9 was an exciting one at the Launchpad! We hosted the CECAS Spark Challenge Pitch Competition, the Science Catalyst Pitch Competition, and the Powers Pitch Competition. These events showcased the incredible talent, creativity, and entrepreneurial drive of our students.

We are excited to see where these ventures go from here and are grateful for the support of Clemson faculty, staff, alumni, mentors, and judges who help make opportunities like this possible. Clemson continues to elevate the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs. Go Tigers!

Hosting the first-ever Real Estate Symposium last Friday, February 6, was a dream come true! Clemson-affiliated real estate professionals joined us for dynamic panels on Residential Real Estate, Commercial Real Estate, Emerging & Alternative Real Estate, Real Estate Technologies, and Real Estate Finance & Investing.

Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members spent the day learning from and connecting with the most accomplished and powerful group of industry leaders ever assembled on the Clemson campus.

Thank you to all of the speakers and everyone who helped make this event possible. We could not have done it without you!

Hosting the first-ever Real Estate Symposium last Friday, February 6th, was a dream come true! Clemson-affiliated real estate professionals joined us for dynamic panels on Residential Real Estate, Commercial Real Estate, Emerging & Alternative Real Estate, Real Estate Technologies, and Real Estate Finance & Investing.

Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members spent the day learning from and connecting with the most accomplished and powerful group of industry leaders ever assembled on the Clemson campus.

Today, we held the first ever Real Estate Symposium at the Brook T. Smith Launchpad, Clemson's Entrepreneurship Hub. Through this event, Clemson-affiliated entrepreneurs from across the country were able to share their journeys, discuss their real estate strategies, and offer words of wisdom to
students interested in real estate careers. This event was a massive success, and the Launchpad remains dedicated to driving meaningful innovation that creates real impact in peoples’ lives.

The Real Estate Symposium is happening from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Drop in anytime or stay for the full event to hear from top industry leaders.

Co-chaired by Robertson Allen ’99/’00, Owner of The Cassina Group, LLC, and D. Reid Townsend ’95, Founding Principal of MRP Industrial, the symposium features an outstanding group of panelists covering Residential, Commercial, Emerging and Alternative Real Estate, Real Estate Technologies, and Finance & Investing. Panelists will share insights from their career journeys and offer valuable networking opportunities.

Open to students, faculty, alumni, entrepreneurs, and community members. Join us in person or on Zoom. Click the link in our bio to join us live during the event. Go Tigers!

Join us on Friday, April 10, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Carillon Gardens for the annual Blue Ridge Market!

We’re excited to share a new time and a new location based on feedback from past markets. This student-run pop-up will feature unique items, live music, and a Clemson-approved food vendor—making it a great opportunity to shop, connect, and enjoy the afternoon.

Vendor Spaces Still Available:
Clemson students, staff, faculty, and alumni are all invited to participate as vendors. If you have handmade goods, creative products, or a growing business, this is a valuable opportunity to showcase your work and connect with the Clemson community. You can sell products, promote a service, or use the market to gather feedback and test a new venture concept with real customers.

Please register soon to secure your space.

Register as a Vendor using the link in our bio.

For questions, contact Michelle Navis at [email protected].
Come shop, network, and support Clemson’s talented entrepreneurs! Help spread the word by sharing this post.