Relentless Challenge Grant Program Fueling innovation and entrepreneurial impact
The Relentless Challenge is South Carolina’s call to action for innovative problem-solving and entrepreneurial impact. This statewide competitive grant program supports organizations developing new ways to help businesses launch, grow and innovate for long-term success.
Through two complementary funding tracks, the program strengthens traditional small businesses while advancing the innovation-driven companies shaping South Carolina’s future.
Building a stronger business ecosystem
Administered by SC Commerce’s Innovation & Entrepreneurship team, the Relentless Challenge supports bold, actionable initiatives that strengthen South Carolina’s business and innovation ecosystems.
Projects may serve a particular community, region or the state as a whole. All funded programs must primarily benefit South Carolina’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem and demonstrate the potential for measurable, lasting impact.
2027 funding at a glance
Approximately $1 million
Planned program funding
Up to $50,000
Traditional Small Business track request
Up to $75,000
Innovation track request
1:1
Required match from eligible non-state sources
12 months
Grant performance period
Two paths to greater impact
Applicants must select the track that most closely aligns with the businesses their proposed project will serve. Organizations may submit one proposal per funding cycle.
Traditional Small Business track
This track supports creative, practical solutions to challenges facing South Carolina’s traditional small businesses. Funded projects should advance at least one of the following goals:
- Catalyze the development of new traditional small businesses
- Accelerate growth and revenue stability for existing traditional small businesses
- Increase access to funding and financial support for traditional small businesses
Applicants under this track must explain how their proposed program complements or fills a gap in the services available through the local Small Business Development Center.
Maximum grant request: $50,000
Innovation track
This track supports projects that strengthen South Carolina’s environment for high-growth entrepreneurship, research commercialization and product innovation. Funded projects should advance at least one of the following goals:
- Catalyze high-growth entrepreneurship or the research and product development efforts of established companies
- Increase access to risk capital
- Strengthen collaboration between companies and higher education institutions
- Attract and land innovation-driven companies in South Carolina
Maximum grant request: $75,000
Who can apply?
Funding is available to South Carolina-based organizations serving the state’s innovation and entrepreneurship community.
Eligible applicants include:
- Nonprofit organizations registered at the state and federal levels, including chambers of commerce
- Units of local government
- Higher education institutions
Eligible organizations may submit one proposal during the funding cycle. Relentless Challenge grants are not awarded directly to individual businesses.
Funding requirements
Grant funds may be used only for program costs directly connected to the proposed project.
Funding cannot generally be used for:
- General operating expenses or indirect costs
- Infrastructure
- Research or feasibility studies
- Capitalizing individual companies or investment funds
- Subgrants to other organizations
- K-12 or workforce initiatives
Applicants must provide a dollar-for-dollar match from eligible non-state sources. Cash and qualifying in-kind contributions may be used, although in-kind support may account for no more than 25% of the required match.
Review the current notice of funding opportunity for complete rules governing eligible expenses, match commitments and required documentation.
How to apply for 2027 funding
Applications will be accepted electronically from Sept. 1 through Sept. 30, 2026.
Before applying:
- Review the 2027 Notice of Funding Opportunity.
- Select the Traditional Small Business or Innovation track.
- Confirm that the proposed project advances at least one goal under the selected track.
- Identify eligible sources for the required 1:1 match.
- Prepare the project narrative, budget, timeline, metrics and supporting documentation.
- Submit the complete application electronically by the deadline.
Questions and requests for clarification are due by 5 p.m. ET Sept. 15, 2026.
Applications are due by 5 p.m. ET Sept. 30, 2026.
Questions? Contact the team.
2026 Relentless Challenge impact
In 2026, SC Commerce awarded more than $760,000 to 14 projects supporting entrepreneurs, traditional small businesses and innovation-driven companies across the state.
2026 grant recipients
- BlacQuity: Lowcountry Black Business Capital & Growth Initiative
- Center for Opportunity and Entrepreneurial Advancement: Launch in 60 Marketplace
- Clemson University Division of Research: Bridging STEM and Entrepreneurship
- Economic Development Partnership of Aiken and Edgefield Counties: Aiken Venture Lab
- eMYRge: Golf Tech Accelerator Challenge
- Entrepreneurship For All: Capital Ready Lowcountry
- Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce: The Network
- GrowCo Columbia and Boyd Innovation Center: GrowCo Fund
- Increasing H.O.P.E.: Ready to Grow
- Lowcountry Local First: Lowcountry Kiva Hub
- Navigating from Good to Great Foundation and Columbia Chamber of Commerce: Wendell Jones Leadership Institute Growth Blueprint
- NextGEN: Fix My Pitch
- Southern Palmetto Foundation: Propel Omni-Path
- The Hill Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Furman University: The Future Catalyst Project
Questions about Relentless Challenge?
The Innovation & Entrepreneurship team can help organizations understand the program, determine which funding track best fits a proposed project and navigate the application process.
