INNOVATE® South Carolina

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...

Southeastern Freight Lines, a privately-owned company, has been a trusted name in South Carolina’s business community since its founding in 1950. Established in Columbia by W.T. Cassels, Sr., the company began with 14 trucks, 20 associates, and a $5,000 loan. From the very beginning, Cassels emphasized a simple yet powerful...

The South Coast Cyber Center, a nonprofit located in Beaufort, South Carolina, is an integral player in the region’s technology ecosystem, offering a collaborative approach to education, training, and economic development. The work of the Cyber Center focuses on empowering individuals, the business community, and government with the skills and...

SC Aerospace, an initiative of the SC Council on Competitiveness (SC Competes), supports the entire aerospace and aviation industry in South Carolina, with our various open-source studies and research, webinars and conferences, and educational initiatives reaching a far-flung ecosystem that is shaping our future workforce. In one of our recent...

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...

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...

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...

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...

In a manufacturing world grappling with worker shortages, rising costs, and the relentless complexity of “high-mix, low-volume” production, one Greenville-based startup is quietly reimagining what it means for humans and robots to work together. Drobot Inc. is pioneering a new generation of Collaborative Mobile Robots (CMRs) – machines designed not...

Helping Students Dream it. Chase it. Live it. Spartanburg Community College (SCC) transforms lives and communities through accessible, high-quality education and workforce development. Committed to fostering student success and economic growth, SCC equips learners with the skills and knowledge to excel in their careers. With five campuses across Spartanburg, Cherokee,...

For as long as internal combustion engines have required maintenance, the oil change has been viewed as a necessary, albeit messy, evil. Between the risk of skin contact with scalding fluids and the inevitable “oil bath” that occurs when a filter is breached, the process has remained stubbornly primitive. However,...

Commercial construction plays a critical role in shaping South Carolina’s economy and the communities it serves. From advanced manufacturing and industrial facilities to office, medical, and distribution centers, Frampton Construction delivers projects that support growth, innovation, and long-term resilience. Founded in 1993 as Frampton & Associates, Inc., Frampton Construction is...

In the heart of Greenville, South Carolina, Gemba Systems Inc. is redefining what “smart manufacturing” really means. Rather than chasing automation for its own sake, the company focuses on empowering people with smarter technologies – solutions that give manufacturers the visibility, insight, and control they need to perform at their...

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...

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,...

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...

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 a state known for its industrious spirit and manufacturing strength, the South Carolina Technical College System has quietly – and powerfully – become the engine driving economic growth, workforce transformation, and social mobility. With 16 colleges strategically located across the state, this system isn’t just preparing students for jobs...

Our History Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP), Upstate South Carolina’s commercial service airport, was established in October 1962. At the time of its opening, the idea of regional collaboration was not a common one among cities, counties, politicians, businesses, or economic development organizations. Without a major interstate roadway to connect the...

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...

In business, location is everything. The South Carolina Department of Commerce’s vision is to embrace the future while ensuring the state’s sustainable growth and creating economic opportunity for all South Carolinians — from launch to legacy. South Carolina’s prime East Coast location and strong transportation infrastructure give companies efficient, reliable...

Over the past 15 years, SC Thrive has served as our state’s leader in linking South Carolinians with community and essential resources. In partnership with the Palmetto Institute, the BlueCross BlueShield of SC Foundation, and The Duke Endowment, SC Thrive began as a program of the SC Office of Rural...

Claflin University’s enduring legacy of innovation reflects the institution’s long-standing commitment to academic excellence, creativity, and transformative leadership. Founded in 1869, Claflin is the oldest Historically Black College/University (HBCU) in South Carolina. It was the first higher education institution in South Carolina to admit students regardless of their ethnic origin,...

HUMAN LED, AI POWERED. Founded in 2021, Fusion Cyber has grown from a small start-up to are cognized leader in cybersecurity education. It has partnerships with fourw ell-known universities: the University of South Carolina, the University of Kentucky, Florida International University, and Denmark Technical College. Fusion Cyber offers cutting-edge courses...