Rock Hill will host one of six new Innovation Hubs under a statewide initiative announced Thursday by the South Carolina Research Authority, placing York County at the center of an effort to accelerate the state’s technology economy.
SCRA, a public nonprofit chartered by the state in 1983, said on April 23 it is launching a network of Innovation Hubs in Rock Hill, Columbia, Charleston, Greenville, Aiken, and Florence. The hubs are intended to serve as regional centers for collaboration, resource sharing, and support for emerging technology companies as they grow from early ideas into established enterprises.
Grant Funding Opens In May
To jumpstart programming at the hubs, SCRA will begin making grant funding available to entrepreneurial support organizations in May. Eligible nonprofit organizations, including accelerators, incubators, colleges, universities, and industry associations, may apply for grants to develop programming that helps early stage technology companies accelerate their work.
Grant funding will support a range of activities, including mentorship programs, pitch competitions, technical workshops, investor matchmaking events, and specialized training in areas such as product development, market strategy, fundraising, and intellectual property…