Commerce awards $2.6M in SC Innovation Challenge Grants

The South Carolina Department of Commerce is awarding $2.6 million in a second round of funding to 19 organizations across the state to further innovation, entrepreneurship and technology-based economic development. As part of its efforts to support and grow an innovative, technology-based and entrepreneurial business environment, the Department of Commerce launched the state’s first Office of Innovation in the fall of 2013. In 2014, the Department of Commerce awarded its inaugural round of innovation grants to 14 organizations across the state and announced a second round last September. Projects awarded will impact Aiken, Anderson, Charleston, Darlington, Florence, Greenville, Horry, Richland, Spartanburg, Sumter and York counties, with several projects making statewide impact. Projects are outcomes-oriented, and focus on building stronger entrepreneurs and companies, growing startup communities, training technology talent and providing education and access to funding for startups in both rural and urban areas of the state. Locally, e-Merge @ the Garage programs receives $125,000. Located in downtown Anderson, e-Merge @ the Garage is the city’s technology and entrepreneurship center supporting startup company founders and budding entrepreneurs and technology workers with company services, training and community-building activities.