Nisbet Venture Fund

Applications are accepted from late January to late February 2027 at 11:59pm.  Applicants selected to participate in the Nisbet Venture Fund will pitch at a live competition on April 20, 2027 at 6:30pm. To prepare finalists for a strong pitch, a series of educational workshops, experiences, and mentoring opportunities are available throughout the spring term.

In order to encourage both idea-stage as well as established ventures, selected applicants have the opportunity to participate and pitch on one of two tracks: the Acceleration Track or the Incubation Track.

The Acceleration Track

• Generally characterized by a significant amount of time and resources committed to the venture prior to application.
• Teams with generated revenue or venture capital exceeding $5,000 are only eligible to pitch on the Acceleration Track and not the Incubation Track.
• Eligible to pitch for the top $25,000 equity prize (7 min pitch)
• Eligible for an assigned mentor throughout competition season
• Eligible to attend all Nisbet Venture Fund finalist prep sessions
• Venture must be formed legal entity in order to receive grand prize (registered as a business)

The Incubation Track

• Generally characterized by being a newly formed idea with limited time and resources committed to its development prior to application
• Eligible to pitch for a $5,000 prize (non-equity) (4 minute pitch)
• Eligible for an assigned mentor throughout competition season
• Eligible to attend all Nisbet Venture Fund finalist prep sessions
• Venture does not need to be incorporated

The spring 2027 Nisbet Venture Fund application period closes late February – date TBD – at 11:59pm.

When a student or recent alumni applies for the Nisbet Venture Fund they will have the option on the application to select if they would like their venture to be considered for the Incubation Track, the Acceleration Track, or either track.

Once the applications are received, they will be sorted and scored by a committee in their respective categories. Finalists are chosen on the merits of their written application and will be notified by early March 2027 – date TBD.

Individuals or teams must include an enrolled Davidson College student or recent Davidson alum from a graduating class between 2021-2026.

In order to receive the $25,000 investment (Acceleration Track), the venture must be a formed legal entity (corporation or limited liability company). Teams competing on the Incubation Track do not need to be incorporated/organized.

To participate in the Acceleration Track, Davidson College alumni from the classes of 2021-2026 and/or currently enrolled Davidson student(s) must own 50% or more equity in the business. If more than one Davidson College alum and/or currently enrolled Davidson student(s) own equity, combined, those team members must own 50% or more equity in the business.

The Davidson College student or recent alumni must deliver the pitch in person at the competition and answer the judges’ questions.

Past equity winning ventures of the Nisbet Venture Competition are not eligible to participate in the pitch competition. Past finalists whose venture did not receive equity funding from the Nisbet Venture Fund competition remain eligible.

Teams with generated revenue or venture capital funding in excess of $250,000 are not eligible to compete in either track. This includes funding from both institutional and non-institutional sources (pitch contests, grants, bank loans, etc.)

Teams with generated revenue or venture capital exceeding $5,000 are only eligible to pitch on the Acceleration Track and not the Incubation Track.

The following entities are ineligible to compete in the Nisbet Venture Fund Competition: endowments, capital campaigns, lobbying organizations, political parties, labor organizations, religious organizations and entities that may be connected to prohibited drug-related activities.

$25,000 Acceleration Track
The winner(s) receives a $25,000 investment by Davidson College in their business; the investment is structured as a SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) agreement, governed by the laws of North Carolina and/or the United States of America. The winner is determined by a panel of judges. Please review our FAQ below for further details.

$5,000 Incubation Track
The winner(s) receives a $5,000 grant. The award may be paid to the venture or to one individual. The winner is determined by a panel of judges.

$2,500 Entrepreneurial Excellence Award

Awarded to the team who shows exceptional dedication to learning, mentorship, and growth during the program experience as determined by Hurt Hub staff.

Confidentiality & Permissions
Confidentiality of information is not guaranteed and teams should not include any confidential information in their submissions, including trade secrets or other proprietary information that would be at risk for disclosure. Entry into this competition may be considered a public disclosure for patent purposes. If teams plan to file patent protection on an aspect of their business, they should consult with an intellectual property attorney before entering. Intra-team confidentiality is the sole responsibility of the team.

Additional & Permissions members
Teams are subject to the Davidson College Honor Code and Code of Responsibility Teams may be disqualified at any time before, during, or after the pitch competition for failing to comply with these general rules or the conditions set forth in the program participation agreement.

Note for International Students (F1 Visa)

As an international student, this funding may be subject to federal tax (20% max; 14% federal, 6% state, unless treaty benefits apply). The grant will be grossed up to include tax obligations.

Upon signing the agreement, you are agreeing to check your email for correspondence from Sprintax Calculus/Susan Caldwell in the Controller’s Office and respond quickly to any inquiries concerning the Foreign National Tax Assessment. As an International student (Non-Resident Alien), you will receive IRS form 1042/1042-S for all taxable payments. You will be responsible for filing the Form 1040NR in the following year.