Forge on the Hill

Applicants must submit a completed packet consisting of the following materials. Please prepare these in advance of filling out your application. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

A. Basic Information

• Name, H-SC class year, email address, phone number, mailing address, academic major(s)/minor(s)
• Venture Name
• Team member names (if applicable) and resume(s) for all team members

B. Interest Statement (1 page)
A reflective narrative outlining:

• why innovation or entrepreneurship resonates with you, your interests or calling,
• how this venture aligns with your personal growth, purpose, and values,
• how the Forge on the Hill program fits into your academic and professional goals.

C. 4-Minute Pitch Video
Record your pitch, upload it to YouTube (setting visibility to Unlisted), and then submit the shareable link, not the video file itself, on the application. Your brief recorded pitch should introduce:

1. Hook/attention-getter
2. Problem/Opportunity or unmet need
3. Proposed solution or concept
4. Customer or beneficiary
5. Market landscape or context
6. Business model or initial pathway forward
7. Competitive analysis (if applicable)
8. Early evidence, prototypes, or traction
9. Impact—how your idea contributes to forming “good men and good citizens”
10. Road map; how will Forge on the Hill funding help support next steps.

Videos do not need to be highly produced. Clarity, authenticity, and curiosity matter most. Sample pitch that is conversational, passionate, and follows above structure.

D. Pitch Deck (8–12 slides)

A slide deck that can stand alone visually for investors. Be sure to include:

1. Problem
2. Opportunity or unmet need
3. Proposed solution or concept
4. Customer or beneficiary
5. Market landscape or context
6. Business model or initial pathway forward
7. Competitive analysis (if applicable)
8. Early evidence, prototypes, or traction
9. Impact—how your idea contributes to forming “good men and good citizens”
10. Next steps and what support you need

E. Lean Business Model Canvas (LBMC)
Complete this one-page LBMC that outlines the core assumptions of the venture and upload to the application

• problem
• customer segment(s)
• value proposition
• solution
• channels
• revenue streams
• cost structure
• key metrics
• unfair advantage

F. Business Plan (5–8 pages)
A concise written plan including:

• Executive summary
• Problem + opportunity
• Solution or product/service description
• Target market
• Competitive landscape
• Operational plan
• Leadership team
• Go-to-market plan
• Financial model assumptions
• Risk assessment and mitigation

G. Financial Projections (1–3 years)
Projections should include:

• estimated startup costs
• projected revenue streams
• anticipated expenses
• break-even analysis
• key financial assumptions

These may be early-stage estimates. The Center understands that projections evolve.

H. Impact and Innovation Statement
A short explanation of:

• how the venture creates value,
• how it contributes positively to the H-SC community or society,
• how it demonstrates creativity, innovation, or a unique approach,
• its alignment with ethical and mission-driven entrepreneurship.

I. Optional Supporting Materials (Recommended)
Applicants may also include:

• prototypes, mockups, or demo links
• customer discovery notes
• letters of support (allow for up to 3 letters or can ask them to create one .PDF upload)
• research summaries
  • market validation interviews
  • relevant creative work (design samples, code, content, etc.)

Have you prepared your application materials and have them all ready to go? Apply at the link below.

• Complete a Hampden-Sydney College entrepreneurship course such as Entrepreneurial and Business Pitches, Entrepreneurial Diplomacy through Creative Innovation, or Independent Study that will be taught by Flemming Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation director, Dr. Michele King, who has more than 25 years of higher education instruction, curriculum design, and consultation experience. Forge Founders will have additional course options such as Entrepreneurial Thinking and Business Foundations that will be taught by current faculty of record.
• Participate in Flemming Center workshops on topics such as lean business canvas model development, financial modeling, pitch performance, and marketing.  
• Engage in monthly 1:1 mentorship with a certified Learn-Earn-Return (LER) Executive Partner (mentor match) or faculty industry advisor.  
• Compete in at least one (1) on-campus Rocket Pitch competition. Rocket Pitch is a fast-paced, high-energy event where students present their business, product, or passion-driven ideas in just 3 minutes. Students will sharpen their storytelling, get real-time feedback, and spark interest from peers, mentors, and potential collaborators.  
• Collaborate with a student from another academic discipline to apply interdisciplinary thinking.  
• Submit a reflection paper and present publicly.  
• Receive micro-grant funding to prototype their venture and produce measurable outcomes.  
• Report on personal growth, project benchmarks, and vocational discoveries.