The South Carolina Department of Commerce is awarding $2.6 million in funding to 19 organizations – five of which are in the Upstate.
The Department of Commerce said the grants will further innovation, entrepreneurship and technology-based economic development.
The South Carolina Innovation Challenge solicits proposals for projects that focus on fostering technology-based economic development, entrepreneurship and innovation in South Carolina communities through university collaboration, local government participation or public-private partnerships.
The department received almost 60 grant submissions totaling $10.5 million in requests. Cities, county offices, chambers of commerce, universities, incubators and accelerators applied for funding.
A project could be awarded a maximum of $250,000 in grant funds, with a required dollar-for-dollar match of non-state-appropriated funds.
The Greenville Chamber of Commerce received $250,000 for the NEXT Ecosystem Acceleration.
The City of Anderson received $125,000 for the e-Merge @ the Garage program, which is the city’s technology and entrepreneurship center.
The City of Spartanburg received $50,000 for Project Hub, a community tool share and meeting space.
The Pickens Revitalization Association received $50,000 for the Pickens Innovation Center, which is a Clemson University Technology Villages program.
The South Carolina Biotechnology Industry Organization received $100,000 for the SCBIO Life Science Startup in a Box.
