Innovation & entrepreneurship Connecting ideas with opportunity

South Carolina’s entrepreneurs need an environment where businesses can take root and grow. SC Commerce’s Innovation & Entrepreneurship team works with organizations supporting traditional small businesses and innovation-driven companies, helping strengthen the resources and partnerships available across the state. Connect with the team to discuss entrepreneurial support initiatives or identify resources relevant to your business.

Connect with the I&E team

Our approach

Traditional small businesses sustain local economies. Innovation-driven companies advance new technologies, products and opportunities. South Carolina benefits from an environment that supports both.

The Innovation & Entrepreneurship team works with entrepreneurial support organizations, higher education institutions and local, state, regional and federal partners to strengthen that environment.

Our work includes supporting initiatives that address gaps in business resources, encouraging collaboration and helping users identify relevant programs and organizations. The team primarily works with organizations serving entrepreneurs and businesses, while helping individual companies find appropriate resources.

Programs & resources

Relentless Challenge Grant Program

This statewide competitive grant program supports organizations developing initiatives that help traditional small businesses and innovation-driven companies launch, grow and succeed.

Find current funding criteria, application information and past grant recipients on the program page.

View Relentless Challenge funding

3Phase

3PhaseSC is a free SC Commerce program that helps eligible South Carolina small businesses pursue federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) funding. The program provides assistance with required registrations, proposals, budgets and application submission, helping companies move innovative technologies toward commercialization.

Learn about 3PhaseSC eligibility and services

SC Fraunhofer USA Alliance Grant Program

A matching grant program connecting South Carolina organizations, colleges and universities with Fraunhofer USA expertise for applied research and innovation.

View Fraunhofer grant details

Palmetto Venture Fellowship

The Palmetto Venture Fellowship is an annual investor education program designed to increase access to early-stage capital for South Carolina companies. Through a comprehensive workshop series, current and prospective investors learn about valuations, term sheets, due diligence, startup boards and other aspects of early-stage investing.

Learn about the Palmetto Venture Fellowship

Regional connections

Entrepreneurial support takes different forms across South Carolina’s communities. Connect with an Innovation & Entrepreneurship coordinator to discuss regional initiatives and identify relevant resources and organizations.

Connect with the I&E team

Find resources for your business

Looking for assistance with a specific business need? The SC Business Portal provides a starting point for finding resources and support organizations.

Search business resources

Small business regulatory concerns

The Small Business Regulatory Review Committee evaluates regulations affecting South Carolina’s small businesses. SC Commerce’s Innovation & Entrepreneurship team provides staff support to the committee.

Learn about the committee

Let’s strengthen South Carolina’s entrepreneurial community

Developing an initiative to support entrepreneurs or looking for relevant business resources? Connect with the Innovation & Entrepreneurship team to discuss your work and potential next steps.

Connect with the I&E team