Manufacturing and engineering founder program begins in March

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The Platform at Greer, an entrepreneurship program of Greer Development Corp., will begin  their Bootcamp class for manufacturing and engineering startups on March 3 and 4 at The Randall House in downtown Greer.

The program will culminate with a pitch session before judges at 4 p.m. on March 4.

Classes are led by a team of coaches who work with committed business owners and entrepreneurs looking to accelerate, according to a news release.

Bootcamp Cohort 5 includes:

Adaptive Technology Group: Eric Harris started Adaptive Technology Group in 2021 to provide technical solutions for individuals with spinal cord injuries and those who support them.

Bottle Titan: Eric Cooperman launched Bottle Titan in 2020, with a device that provides quality control and data logging for the beverage industry with a focus on wine.

CAIRS: LaShonn Edmunds was inspired to start CAIRS in 2018, with a goal of designing and producing fashionable shoes for women who suffer from swollen feet

Corporate Stitch: Dionne Sandiford opened Corporate Stitch in 2011, providing a sewing, embroidery, and fabric product design that produces day care mat covers that are easily sanitized.

CST Precision: In 2019, Matthew and Linnette Welle purchased CST Precision, a contract manufacturing company that provides solutions from concept to prototype, print to part, prototype to production, and production to supply chain fulfillment.

“The Platform at Greer Bootcamp has continued to evolve over the last two years to provide unique opportunities for innovators and entrepreneurs looking to learn how to take real action to move their businesses forward,” Reno Deaton, CEO and president of Greer Development Corp, said in the release.  “I’m very pleased that we have been able to identify innovators and entrepreneurs in Greer with high-growth potential in some very important verticals including information technology, manufacturing, engineering and product development. The quality and commitment of entrepreneurs and innovators who connect with the Greer community is making the Platform at Greer a powerful program.”

The coaches for Cohort 5 include: Matt Davis, Circuit Board Medics Paul Ebel of SCORE; Kenya Ford of BMW Manufacturing; Kim Kegler of Michelin; Tracy Kramer of North Greenville University; Brett Owen of Michelin; Martin Pierce of BlueInc Strategies; and Byron Smith of BMW Manufacturing.

The Bootcamp pitch judges are: Ed Edwards of Circuit Board Medics; Patrick Gramblin of BMW Manufacturing; Anthony Herrera of Furman University; Jennifer Jones of Citizens Building and Loan; Jill Rayburn of North Greenville University; and Deborah Day of United Community Bank.

The Platform at Greer’s entrepreneurship initiative encompasses five programs to provide support and growth opportunities to local businesses and entrepreneurs: Ignite Greer, The Huddle, Business Summit, The Business and Entrepreneur’s Bootcamp, and mentoring. The next bootcamp cohort is scheduled for June 23 and 24.