By Olivia Robertson

This March 4-6, Vanderbilt University will host its inaugural Convoy Conference, a transformative event designed to accelerate the university’s momentum in entrepreneurship and venture capital. Taking place on Vanderbilt’s campus, the Convoy Conference is set to gather an impressive array of alumni—entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, founders, investors, and C-suite leaders—to strengthen the university’s innovation ecosystem and build connections that will foster long-term success.

According to Baxter Webb, Director of the Owen Center for Entrepreneurship, the Convoy Conference represents a bold evolution from Vanderbilt’s entrepreneurial events. “This Conference builds on the foundation of previous gatherings like the Vanderbilt Entrepreneurship Conference, but significantly expands the purpose and scope to increase its impact,” he explained. Webb, an Owen alum and seasoned entrepreneur, joined Vanderbilt in April to lead the Center for Entrepreneurship and has been spearheading the creation of Convoy.

A Strategic Focus on Alumni

One of the driving forces behind Convoy is a renewed emphasis on Vanderbilt’s alumni network. “We realized that we were not fully capitalizing on the power of our alumni network or enabling it to its full potential,” said Webb. Research conducted by the Center revealed key improvement opportunities: most Vanderbilt alumni launch businesses seven to eight years post-graduation, and internal deal-making among Vanderbilt alumni lags behind peer institutions. For example, while schools like Stanford and Harvard see alumni network deal-making rates of 50%, Vanderbilt’s is currently at just 17%.

The Convoy Conference aims to change that by creating a platform that prioritizes alumni engagement. “Whereas other university conferences often focus on educating students, the primary mission of Convoy is fostering connections among alumni to grow the entire ecosystem,” Webb emphasized. This approach is reflected in the event’s name: “Convoy,” which symbolizes a fleet moving in unison, providing mutual support and protection—a fitting metaphor for Vanderbilt’s vision of a collaborative, entrepreneurial community.

Aligning with Vanderbilt’s Vision

Convoy is a cornerstone of Vanderbilt’s broader commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship, championed by both Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier and the dean of Vanderbilt Business Tom Steenburgh. “This is one of the five pillars we’re building upon,” Webb noted. The conference celebrates Vanderbilt’s entrepreneurial successes and serves as a launchpad for future growth by creating opportunities to strengthen alumni networks and foster collaboration.

Baxter Webb, Director, Owen Center for Entrepreneurship

“We’re very optimistic that Convoy will become a meaningful tradition and something that bolsters our ecosystem in ways that set us apart from other institutions,” Webb said. The conference also reflects Vanderbilt’s long-term commitment to securing significant endowments and expanding its entrepreneurial programming.

What Sets Convoy Apart

Convoy distinguishes itself from regional and peer institution events in several key ways. While conferences like Launch Tennessee’s 3686 focus on statewide entrepreneurship, Convoy is Vanderbilt-specific and alumni-centric. Unlike most university entrepreneurship conferences, which often center on student education, Convoy emphasizes alumni connections and collaboration.

“We want to educate both students and alumni, but the primary mission is to engage alumni and foster connections that elevate the entire network,” Webb explained. The conference’s scope and scale also set it apart. Spanning three days, Convoy features a robust lineup of speakers, including:

• Mark Cuban, Founder & CEO of Mark Cuban Companies
• Jeff Rothschild, Partner at Intrepid Ventures
• Dora Hughes, MD, Chief Medical Officer of the CMS Innovation Center

The panels will cover a wide range of entrepreneurial areas, blending alumni expertise from venture capital, founding companies, and leadership roles within dynamic organizations.

Highlights to Watch

One of the most anticipated sessions is a main stage panel on developing talent. This session will delve into how startups can build culture, manage performance, and develop organizational knowledge—a topic that highlights the unique strengths of Vanderbilt founders. As Webb pointed out, Vanderbilt’s combination of high IQ and high EQ leaders sets its entrepreneurs apart.

Another compelling highlight is the opportunity to showcase Vanderbilt’s depth in entrepreneurship. While the university has historically been known for its strengths in healthcare and human resources, Convoy will shine a light on its successes across diverse industries. “Being able to facilitate connections within these various subgroups to make things happen better—that’s what I’m most excited about,” Webb shared.

A Call to Action

At its core, the Convoy Conference is about fostering a sense of community and shared purpose among Vanderbilt alumni. Webb hopes the ultimate takeaway for attendees is clear: “Vanderbilt is dedicated to growing our entrepreneurial ecosystem, and we want to engage you to help us do that.”

By creating a platform for alumni to connect, collaborate, and innovate, Vanderbilt sets a new standard for what an entrepreneurial conference can achieve. Convoy is more than an event—it’s a statement of intent, a demonstration of Vanderbilt’s commitment to its alumni, and a bold step toward shaping the future of innovation on campus and beyond.

Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this groundbreaking event. For more information and to register, visit Vanderbilt Convoy Conference Website, or use the button below.