In the heart of Columbia, South Carolina, Benedict College is redefining the landscape of higher education by fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. At the forefront of this transformation is the Burroughs Enterprise, Startup, and Technology (B.E.S.T.) Innovation Lab, a dynamic hub that empowers students, faculty, and entrepreneurs to turn ideas into impactful ventures.
A Vision for Innovation: Programs That Inspire and Equip
Established with the mission to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset and bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world application, the B.E.S.T. Innovation Lab serves as a catalyst for change. Under the leadership of Dr. Tracy Harrell Dunn, Dean of the Tyrone Adam Burroughs School of Business and Entrepreneurship, the lab has become a cornerstone of Benedict College’s strategy to integrate innovation into its academic fabric.
“I created the B.E.S.T. Innovation Lab to ensure that Benedict College students and faculty can become active contributors to the rapidly expanding innovation ecosystem in South Carolina. As the state experiences significant growth in entrepreneurship, technology, and investment, I wanted our students and faculty to have a clear and supported onramp to participate in and lead that progress,” said Dr. Tracy Harrell Dunn, Dean of the Tyrone Adam Burroughs School of Business and Entrepreneurship. “The Lab is about access, opportunity, and building the capacity to innovate solutions that matter to our community.”
The B.E.S.T. Innovation Lab offers a dynamic and supportive environment for students eager to explore their creative and entrepreneurial potential. Through a range of thoughtfully designed programs, the lab equips aspiring innovators with the tools and experiences they need to succeed. Its entrepreneurship courses lay a strong foundation by covering essential topics such as idea generation, business planning, and developing an entrepreneurial mindset. For those seeking personalized guidance, the mentorship programs connect students with seasoned professionals who offer valuable advice, encouragement, and industry insight.
Early-stage startups can benefit from the lab’s incubation and acceleration initiatives, which help refine business ideas and shape them into sustainable ventures. Altogether, the B.E.S.T. Innovation Lab serves as a launchpad for future entrepreneurs and innovators.
Additionally, the National Science Foundation’s Enabling Partnerships to Increase Innovation Capacity (EPIIC) program has further strengthened the Lab’s capacity to support innovation. The $400,000 grant enabled Benedict College to enhance its innovation ecosystem by engaging more faculty and students in applied research, establishing partnerships with industry, and strengthening the technology transfer process.
StudentMade at Benedict College Ignites Student Entrepreneurship and Leadership
StudentMade at Benedict College is a dynamic platform designed to empower student entrepreneurs by giving them real-world business experience and exposure. As the only HBCU in the StudentMade network, Benedict College proudly offers students the opportunity to showcase and sell their products through a dedicated eStore, which is promoted both on campus and across the broader network of schools.
Every Wednesday, students would bring their businesses to life by hosting a vibrant on-campus POP-UP Shop, drawing attention and support from the campus community. What makes StudentMade especially impactful is its student-led structure: seven student managers oversee key departments including the website, communication, events, finance, social media, community, and cContent. Each student plays a vital role in the success of the program and the entrepreneurs it supports. This initiative not only helps students grow their businesses, but also builds leadership, collaboration, and practical skills that prepare them for life beyond college.
Real-World Impact
The impact of the B.E.S.T. Innovation Lab extends beyond the classroom. Through initiatives like the Faculty Innovation Academy Pitch Competition, faculty members collaborate across disciplines to develop innovative solutions to contemporary challenges. The winning team of the inaugural competition, “Advancing Individual Mapping,” exemplified the lab’s ethos of interdisciplinary collaboration and problem-solving.
“The Faculty Innovation Academy Pitch Competition not only showcases our faculty’s innovative capabilities but also reflects Benedict College’s steadfast commitment to empowering our academic community to develop impactful solutions,” remarked Professor Raquel Thomas, Director of the B.E.S.T. Innovation Lab, during the inaugural Faculty Innovation Academy Pitch Competition.
Furthermore, the lab’s focus on technology transfer and commercialization is evident in programs like EnRICH and LaunchIt. These programs assist faculty and students in evaluating the commercial potential of their ideas, providing them with the tools and resources needed to bring innovations to the market.
Where Innovation Wins: Benedict College Program Earns Top Honors
Winning the Rising Star Award at the 2023 12th Annual Deshpande Symposium was a prestigious recognition that highlights Benedict College as an emerging leader in the field of innovation and entrepreneurship in higher education.
Being named a Finalist for the 2024 ACEEU (Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities) Americas Awards was a significant honor that highlights Benedict’s outstanding commitment to entrepreneurship, innovation, and community engagement. As a national finalist, the College was recognized among the top-tier programs that are leading the way in integrating entrepreneurial thinking and societal impact into their core mission.
Shaping the Future: Research Innovation and Workforce Readiness
Benedict College is also cultivating a vibrant research and innovation ecosystem that actively supports faculty, staff, students, and entrepreneurs in exploring ideas with strong commercial potential. The college is home to a diverse range of interdisciplinary research expertise. Benedict College faculty members are conducting groundbreaking work in applying artificial intelligence and machine learning to areas such as healthcare, environmental monitoring, data analytics, and personalized learning.
In the field of biomedical sciences, researchers are advancing knowledge in cancer cell biology and exploring the use of viral vectors for cancer treatment. Chemistry experts are modeling molecular dynamics and synthesizing molecules with direct relevance to industry. Meanwhile, others are focused on ensuring the security and resilience of autonomous systems used in transportation and national defense.
Additionally, scholars at Benedict are shaping the future of health policy, developing best practices to improve program delivery across the lifespan, from emergency preparedness to mental health topics like mentorship, neuropsychology, stress, and trauma. Through this dynamic and collaborative environment, Benedict College is paving the way for impactful research with real-world applications.
Collaborative Ecosystem
Collaboration lies at the heart of Benedict College’s Innovation Revolution. By partnering with organizations like Catalyst Labs, the Benedict College Statewide Investment Accelerator (BCSIA) has launched a statewide accelerator program aimed at empowering entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds across South Carolina. This initiative underscores the college’s commitment to broadening participation in the entrepreneurial landscape within South Carolina.
Since its inception in 2023, BCSIA has supported 20 early-stage founders, helping to launch and scale promising businesses that contribute to the economic development of the South Carolina entrepreneurial ecosystem. Demo Day serves as a capstone event, showcasing the innovations, dedication, and entrepreneurial growth of each founder.
“As the only HBCU Innovation Lab in the state, our three-year-old powerhouse is teaching our scholars how to conceptualize, develop, and launch businesses. The lab isn’t just a space; it’s an ecosystem of creativity.”
– Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis,President and CEO of Benedict College –
