INNOVATE® South Carolina

The South Carolina Research Authority has the distinct honor and responsibility to fuel South Carolina’s innovation economy. In 2024, it contributed over $1.33 billion to the state’s economy and supported 6624 South Carolina-based jobs. The average annual salary of these jobs was almost $92,000, 71% higher than the statewide average....

At Code/+/Trust, we’re more than just a development shop, we’re your strategic co-founders, product visionaries, and fractional CTOs. What do bourbon barrels, jails, and hospitals have in common? They’re all part of the industries our clients have disrupted with our help. We use a flexible, industry-agnostic process: discovery, user research,...

Local governments have struggled to engage residents, ensure accessibility, and provide timely responses to community needs for a long time. In 2016, Bratton Riley founded Citibot to revolutionize how local governments interact with their residents. With a deep-rooted passion for public service and a desire to foster community connections, Riley...

SC Tech sits at the center supporting South Carolina’s successful push as a tech-driven, future-focused state. An initiative of the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness (SC Competes), the cluster helps to accelerate growth and innovation while giving the statewide technology community a unified voice. The work is deliberately broad: strengthen...

The successes of Tri-County Technical College over the past 63 years area testament to the power of the strong relationships and partnerships the College shares with business, industry, and educators in the community. These relationships and partnerships transform the lives of TCTC students and help to build stronger communities. Health...

Benore Logistic Systems, Inc. stands as a testament to unwavering commitment, family heritage, and industry-leading innovation. Founded with a vision to redefine logistics, the company has grown into a powerhouse, seamlessly integrating transportation, warehousing, and supply chain solutions for some of the world’s leading industries. From its inception, Benore Logistic...

Founded in 2000 and officially incorporated in 2005, Software Projects Consulting is the realization of an ambitious vision by its founder, Frank Muehlenkamp. Frank sought to create something unique—a company driven by an innovative symbiosis of Engineering and Business principles and methodologies to yield innovative and highly effective results to...

Bridging talent, training, and opportunity across the Palmetto State The team at Build Carolina sees possibilities all around. They see massive talent and drive across South Carolina—from individuals eager to build new careers in technology to companies working to innovate and grow. They see a future shaped by meaningful, sustainable...

Driving Growth and Connectivity Across South Carolina For nearly two centuries, CSX has been a cornerstone of America’s economic engine, connecting businesses and communities with safe, efficient, and innovative freight solutions. Today, as one of North America’s leading railroads, CSX continues to deliver what matters most—reliability, flexibility, and value—while powering...

It is incredible to think that in the span of only 125 years the world has been completely transformed by the advent of modern transportation. It has opened the world to travel, commuting to work, moving goods and services in what used to take weeks or even months to a...

Working in a space where passionate problem solvers and innovative risk-takers intersect is a privilege you must experience to understand. It means you’re part of a community. Even if that community spans regions, disciplines, and industries, the passion we bring to improving both the present and the future is what...

At eGroup Enabling Technologies, innovation is not an abstract concept or a buzzword reserved for future roadmaps. It is a daily responsibility, one grounded in purpose, partnership, and measurable impact. Their mission is clear– Fueling progress. That mission guides every decision they make, every solution they design, and every relationship...

Located in Graniteville, South Carolina, just off Interstate 20, Rolls-Royce’s mtu Aiken plant stands as a beacon of advanced manufacturing, workforce development, community commitment and clean energy leadership. Since opening its doors in 2010, the facility has grown from a promising assembly plant to a cornerstone of innovation, producing and...

In the heart of South Carolina’s booming Upstate region, where aerospace, manufacturing, and technology sectors thrive, First Class Recruiting is building more than just careers – it’s building futures. Helmed by U.S. Air Force veteran and industry trailblazer Lindsay Hansel, this boutique executive search firm has become synonymous with precision...

IN AN INDUSTRY OFTEN DEFINED BY POWER AND PRECISION, KION NORTH AMERICA STANDS APART FOR SOMETHING MORE INTANGIBLE: ITS COMMITMENT TO CONTINUOUS INNOVATION. FROM ADVANCED ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING TO A CULTURE THAT VALUES CREATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING, KION NA’S APPROACH IS ONE OF GLOBAL COLLABORATION, LOCAL EXECUTION, AND DEEP CUSTOMER FOCUS. AT...

AstenJohnson’s Clinton, South Carolina location is making a significant capital investment to expand its advanced high-speed weaving capabilities and fully transition away from traditional production methods. This upgrade is designed to maximize asset utilization, standardize manufacturing processes, and elevate product quality while improving overall operational efficiency. The investment fundamentally changes...

In 2012, with two young children at home and a bold vision for the South’s untapped potential, Stanfield Gray and his wife, Sunny Gray, launched DIG SOUTH in Charleston, South Carolina. They were driven by a simple question: Why should a child from the South have fewer opportunities than a...

In 2019, the vision for Technologists Aspiring Through Servant Leadership (TASL), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was established in Charleston, SC. Founded by Khanh Tran, TASL’s core mission was to address a critical need: preparing aspiring technologists, especially veterans and individuals from non-traditional backgrounds, for successful careers in the global digital...

Since 1947, Denmark Technical College has been a lifeline for education and economic mobility in South Carolina’s rural corridor. Established as a training center for African American veterans returning from World War II, Denmark Tech has grown into a proud HBCU with a legacy of service, resilience and transformation. For...

Artificial intelligence is one of SC Competes’ priority “critical technologies” for growing South Carolina’s economy and talent base. With the launch of its Palmetto AI Corridor in 2021, SC Competes acts as a connector and catalyst: we convene industry–academic–government partners, map opportunities and gaps, seed pilot programs, and translate AI...

The South Carolina Small Business Development Centers (SC SBDC) advances the state’s economic development by providing entrepreneurs world-class consulting services, access to a wellspring of resources and affordable training programs. The SC SBDC operates as a cohesive network, offering clients at every stage of the business lifecycle (from pre-venture and...

WE THRIVE ON COLLABORATION Public-private partnerships are how we do business. Our established clusters — Automotive, Production Technology/Heavy Machinery, Advanced Materials, Life Sciences, Business Services and Fintech — provide a solid foundation for a resilient economy. Our fastest-growing cluster, Life Sciences, increased by 33% over the past five years. We’re...

For more than 40 years, Lockheed Martin has proudly called Greenville, South Carolina home, embedding deep local roots while contributing to global security. Known as the “Global Home of the F-16” and proud winner of “The Coolest Thing Made in South Carolina,” the site produces the F-16 Block 70/72 –...

In an era where artificial intelligence is reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace, businesses face a crucial dilemma – either harness the power of AI-driven insights or risk being left behind. For too long, the world of data has been dominated by complexity, requiring specialized technical skills that keep decision-makers...