Innovation News

As the South Carolina Fraunhofer USA Alliance (SCFUSA) celebrates its first year, the program is expanding to offer more opportunities for S.C. companies. The SCFUSA, a collaborative effort between the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness (The Council), South Carolina Department of Commerce and Fraunhofer USA, Inc., works to advance applied research in engineering and technology across the state with Fraunhofer USA Centers and S.C. research institutions. 

The sky was the limit at a recent Innovation Workshop hosted by the SC Fraunhofer USA Alliance (SCFUSA), a partnership between the SC Council on Competitiveness and SC Commerce. Held at the BMW Zentrum Museum, and sponsored by the German American Chamber of the Southern U.S.

Scribble, an initiative of the S.C. Commerce Office of Innovation, has launched Season Two of its videos and podcasts celebrating Palmetto State innovators. Season Two highlights eight new innovation leaders and takes a deep dive into topics like company culture, intellectual property, applied research, product development and more.The new season will consist of a lineup of innovators who are making their marks across S.C.

For a Season Two preview, click here. 

SC Codes and Tallo, an online platform that connects talent with opportunities, have announced a new partnership designed to open educational and workforce pathways for those with programming skills. 

The partnership allows for learners who complete any one of SC Codes’ eight modules - from Front-End Basics to Ruby Concepts and more - to claim a “digital badge” and highlight their skills on their personalized Tallo digital portfolio. 

"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." Those famous words of wisdom by Roman philosopher Seneca translate into how we do business today and illustrate the level of preparedness it takes to compete in the economic development arena.

A little more than a month ago, LaPorte’s Products in Dorchester County was busy manufacturing boat covers and shades for the marine industry. When COVID-19 began spreading across the country and personal protective equipment (PPE) became hard to access, owner Darren LaPorte knew his homegrown company could answer the call to help. 

“We quickly realized the water resistant, spandex-like material we use for our boat shades would be a favorable fabric for non-medical face masks,” said LaPorte. “Within days, we created our design, trained our team and started producing.”

The S.C. Department of Commerce's Office of Innovation, in collaboration with Build Carolina, is offering more training through SC Codes, a statewide program designed to provide free access to coding education for all residents. SC Codes is launching in-person cohorts with several library partners in the Midlands and Charleston areas.

"Innovation is the central issue in economic prosperity." Those words by American economics academic Michael Porter resonate today, as Team South Carolina recognizes the impact innovation and entrepreneurship have on the future of economic development. 

With our leading research universities, business-friendly environment and unmatched quality of life, South Carolina is primed not only for global business growth, but also for transformation in the local knowledge economy. 

The Scrap Tire Research and Education Foundation, Inc. (STREF), the U.S Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) and the S.C. Department of Commerce partnered to host the 8th annual Scrap tire Recycling Conference this week in Greenville. 

As the scrap tire industry’s premier market developing and emerging trends conference, the event offers valuable opportunities for industry leaders, regulators and stakeholders to review key developments in scrap tire management. 

South Carolina is committed to entrepreneurship and technology-based economic development successes. Two upcoming opportunities meet that mission and will help inspire a high-tech ecosystem.