Office of Innovation awards $719,000 in tech grants

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The S.C. Department of Commerce Office of Innovation granted nine organizations more than $719,000 as part of its Startup Fuel Challenge series.

Groups were asked to present projects that would advance innovation, entrepreneurship and technology-based economic development for the state.

“To ensure that our industry partners have access to cutting-edge technology and a high-tech workforce, the continued growth of our innovation economy is critical," Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt said in a statement. “I look forward to all these nine awardees achieve in the years to come.”

Applicants were allowed to request up to $100,000 to start a program or service that focused on the technology startup community.

Startup Fuel Challenge grant awardees include:

• McNair Center for Entrepreneurism at Columbia College South Carolina Women's Business Center ($100,000)
• Charleston Digital Corridor Foundation – Flagship3 Incubator ($64,895)
• The Fifth T Innovation Group – Conway Innovation Center ($70,000)
• The Harbor Entrepreneur Center ($75,000)
• NEXT Upstate, LLC – NEXT Entrepreneur Training & Skill Development ($60,000)
• Rock Hill Economic Development Corporation – Knowledge Park Innovation Center, Phase III ($100,000)
• South Carolina State University – S.C. State Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub ($50,000)
• Tri-County Technical College – INSPIRE Lab Project ($100,000)
• Venture Carolina – Venture Carolina Center for Entrepreneur Education ($100,000)

The Startup Fuel Challenge grant series represents an initiative of the Office of Innovation. Established in 2013, the Office of Innovation has announced grants to help support 25 entrepreneurship programs.