What We Do
Fuel South Carolina’s innovation economy by accelerating technology-enabled growth of academia, entrepreneurship, and industry.
SCRA was chartered in 1983 by the state legislature to:
- Support entrepreneurs and technology startups that are on a strong growth track through grant funding, coaching, and investing via SCRA’s investment affiliate, SC Launch Inc.
- Accelerate academic research and its commercialization through grant funding and coordination of resources to ensure developments meet the needs of South Carolina’s industry.
- Connect industry to entrepreneurs and innovators through matchmaking opportunities that promote growth, and fund relocation costs for technology-based companies moving to South Carolina.
- Provide lab and administrative space for technology startups and academic institutions.
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SCRA Sectors of Focus
SCRA brings together the key players in innovation. By working in close alignment with academic institutions, entrepreneurs, and industry, four key areas of focus have been defined as being the drivers of South Carolina’s innovation economy:
- Advanced Manufacturing and Materials
- Information Technology
- Life Sciences
- Clean Tech, Sustainability, and Resilience
These key sectors align with South Carolina’s workforce strengths, institutional research, and existing companies. The intersection of multiple sectors yields the most significant potential for innovation and economic growth.
SCRA accomplishes its mission by collaborating with shared-mission strategic partners including:
- Incubators
- Accelerators
- State and Federal Agencies
- County Governments
- Economic Development Organizations
- Venture Capital and Angel Investors
- Trade Organizations
