Innovation News

The S.C. Commerce Office of Innovation hosted its latest Sketch Room interactive session – an interactive forum for members of South Carolina’s innovation community to connect with one another while also sharing creative solutions for the future – in Columbia today.

This latest session highlighted the Relentless Grant Challenge grant series, a program that fosters the relentless pursuit of transformational ideas, specifically in the areas of entrepreneurship, talent development and access to capital.

Iron Bridge Capital Partners, LLC and the Charleston Digital Corridor have commenced construction of the Charleston Tech Center (CTC), an architecturally modern, technology-focused six-floor office building located in downtown Charleston.

SC Codes, a collaboration powered by the South Carolina Department of Commerce Office of Innovation and Build Carolina, officially launched its Midlands campaign in Columbia this week.

SC Codes is a first-of-its-kind, state-funded resource, aiming to connect South Carolinians to the education and resources they need to unlock careers in technology. The program provides free online coding curriculum, as well as mentoring services, to all South Carolina residents through a web platform.

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Leadership from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) joined other local, state, and federal officials on May 1 at the Venture Carolina Center for Entrepreneur Education in Greenville, S.C., where the group witnessed a robust pitch session between local entrepreneurs and angel investors.

Last week, the state’s innovation community gained a powerful tool to transform ideas into reality and provide more connectivity. Scribble, a new, online resource for South Carolina entrepreneurs, went live at the 2019 DigSouth Tech Summit in Charleston, S.C.

Designed and launched by S.C. Commerce’s Office of Innovation, Scribble allows individuals and entrepreneurs to access a variety of critical resources. From venture capital opportunities and podcasts to videos and more, Scribble will be a game-changer for the Palmetto State’s tech community.  

The late Apple, Inc. Co-Founder Steve Jobs once said, “Creativity is just connecting things.” Alluding to the positive outcomes that occur from bringing resources and individuals together, this statement perfectly describes the purpose behind the Office of Innovation's biannual Sketch Room event series.

Earlier this year, the S.C. Commerce Office of Innovation announced more than $719,000 in grant awards to nine organizations across the state as part of its Startup Fuel Challenge grant series. One of the awardees – Venture Carolina – used the funds to establish the Venture Carolina Pitch Lab.

When many intelligent people are gathered in one place, good things are bound to happen. That was the driving force behind the Office of Innovation’s recent Innovation Rally event. Hosted by the state’s 14-member Council for Innovation Initiatives, the interactive day provided a forum for members of South Carolina’s innovation community to share creative solutions for the future of the industry, while also providing impactful connectivity.

Over the last few decades, South Carolina’s economy has transformed, becoming much more high-tech and diverse. To remain competitive in this more advanced economic landscape, Team South Carolina must stay on the forefront of industry innovation.

Earlier this year, the state’s Office of Innovation announced 3Phase – a new initiative aimed at assisting South Carolina small businesses acquire federal grant awards. Focused specifically on the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants, 3Phase is critical to the continued development of the state’s knowledge economy.