2025 South Carolina Research Authority Annual Report

FROM THE P RESIDENT & CEO

We are pleased to present this 2025 overview of the South Carolina Research Authority. This was another year of expansion with new staff in various regions of the state to ensure we are meeting the needs of our state’s best and brightest innovators. It was also a year of transition, as I began serving as interim president and CEO. Governor Henry McMaster appointed me as board chair early in the year, and the board of trustees executive committee appointed me as interim president and CEO later in the year. During this time, I’ve been getting to know the SCRA family on a day-to-day basis and have found an incredible staff fully invested in advancing our state’s innovation economy. In just a few short months, we have:

n Opened the Center of Cybersecurity to ensure our state’s agencies, programs, and economic ecosystem partners are fully protected from unauthorized access, damage, theft, or widerange cybersecurity threats.

n Partnered with SCORE, the volunteer arm of the Small Business Administration, to continue important counseling and mentorship to small business owners throughout the state.

n Partnered with the Wells Fargo Foundation and the Small Business Administration to administer $600K in grants to farmers who are using innovation to grow their businesses.

n Approved almost $3M in investments and awarded $750K to early-stage startups across South Carolina.

In FY 2025, SCRA also:

n Contributed $717M to the state’s innovation economy.

n Supported 3.7K South Carolina-based jobs. The average annual salary for employees of our Member and Portfolio Companies was $91.9K, 51% higher than the statewide average.

n Funded Member and Portfolio Companies and academic institutions a total of $4.7M.

n Owned and/or managed 1.39M square feet of laboratory, office, and collaboration space.

n Enabled over $3B in follow-on funding for Member and Portfolio Companies that received grants and/or investments since the inception of SC Launch, Inc. and the SC Launch Program in 2006.

Lastly, being named one of South Carolina’s Best Places to Work for the 15th consecutive year is a testament to our staff’s abilities and team-oriented culture. SCRA placed in the top three in the small organization category.

As always, we could not meet our mission without our ecosystem partners, who are equally committed to growing South Carolina’s innovation economy. Our ecosystem has never been stronger, and we thank our partners for their collaboration, dedication, and commitment.

Sincerely, Sincerely,

William “Bill” Kirkland Interim President and CEO

EDITORIAL

MANAGING EDITOR

FROM THE SC LAUNCH, INC. CHAIRWOMAN

South Carolina’s innovation economy is accelerating, and SC Launch, Inc. is proud to be one of its primary engines. As the investment affiliate of SCRA, we provide early-stage capital to technology startups across the state, giving founders the resources and validation they need to scale.

Investment Impact

In FY25, SC Launch, Inc. invested $1.5 million in South Carolina startups, bringing our total deployment since 2006 to more than $63.6 million. Most importantly, our investments have catalyzed over $3 billion in follow-on funding and supported the creation of high-wage technology jobs across the state.

Sustainability Through Success

Our work is fueled by contributions to the Industry Partnership Fund (IPF) and returns from our investment portfolio. This evergreen model allows us to reinvest in the next generation of entrepreneurs, creating a sustainable cycle of innovation, growth, and job creation.

2025 Highlights

n Connecting Capital: We launched our inaugural Investor Day in Greenville, drawing investors from across the Southeast.

n Validated Growth: Portfolio company Sprockets, a Mount Pleasant-based HR technology company, was successfully acquired by Humanly.io.

n Strategic Growth: We welcomed Rebecca Gevalt and Dr. Gary Shiffman to the SC Launch, Inc. Board of Directors, adding depth in early-stage investing and scaling highgrowth startups.

The Board is grateful to the partners and collaborators across South Carolina who help make this work possible. Through focused investment and long-term commitment, we are building South Carolina’s innovation economy.

Sincerely,

ABOUT US

SCRA was with us from the beginning. They believed in our mission and vision to improve our country’s workforce for both employers and employees. The teams at SCRA and SC Launch Inc. not only provided funding, but they also provided partnership through collaborative discussions and provided advice on how to grow our company

AJ Richichi CEO, Sprockets

Chartered in 1983 by the State of South Carolina as a public, nonprofit corporation, South Carolina Research Authority fuels the state’s innovation economy through the impact of its comprehensive services to technology-based startups, academia, and industry. SCRA provides funding and support to accelerate the growth of academic startups; high-quality lab and administrative workspaces; facilitation and funding for partnerships between and among industry, startups, and academic institutions; assistance and funding for the relocation of technology-based companies to South Carolina; and coaching and funding for startups that may also receive investments from its affiliate, SC Launch, Inc.

VISION

SCRA will be a leading catalyst in making South Carolina the first choice for technology-focused industry, entrepreneurs, and academics.

MISSION

Fuel South Carolina’s innovation economy by accelerating technology-enabled growth of academia, entrepreneurship, and industry.

CORE VALUES

Stewardship – Managing all resources wisely, acting with accountability, and making decisions that benefit the organization, stakeholders, and community.

Collaboration – Fostering teamwork, open communication, and strong partnerships by valuing diverse perspectives and working together to achieve shared goals.

Integrity – Demonstrating honesty, transparency, and ethical behavior in all interactions, ensuring trust and credibility in every decision and action.

Empowerment – Encouraging personal and professional growth by providing individuals with the tools, trust, and opportunities to take initiative and make meaningful contributions.

Nimbleness – Practicing agility and adaptability to navigate change, respond quickly to challenges, and seize opportunities for continuous improvement.

Courage – Acting boldly and decisively in the face of uncertainty, standing by principles, and taking calculated risks to drive innovation and progress.

Excellence – Committing to the highest standards of performance, quality, and continuous improvement to achieve outstanding results in everything we do.

FUELING SOUTH CAROLINA’S INNOVATION ECONOMY

South Carolina Research Authority fuels South Carolina’s innovation economy through the impact of its four programs.

Academic Innovations provides funding and support to advance translational research and accelerate the growth of academic startups.

Facilities offers high-quality laboratory and administrative workspaces for technologybased startups and academic institutions.

Industry Solutions facilitates and funds technology advancements and partnerships with industry, startups, and academic institutions.

SC Launch mentors and funds technology-based startups that may also receive investments from SCRA’s investment affiliate, SC Launch, Inc.

South Carolina is known for many things, and innovation is becoming one of those things.

South Carolina Research Authority has the distinct honor and pleasure of meeting and working with innovators early in their journey and being at the forefront of what’s entering the market.

To shine a spotlight on this incredible opportunity, SCRA hosted its first Made in South Carolina Media Day in April, bringing together dynamic and engaged entrepreneurs, founders, industry leaders, and public officials.

The event began with a press conference, where legislative leaders, including South Carolina Department of Commerce Deputy Director Ashlely Teasdel, Representative Robbie Robins, and Senator Jason Elliott, discussed how South Carolina supports the growth of technology-based startups and applied research and development through various

advocacy and funding mechanisms, many of which are managed by SCRA. They also discussed how South Carolina is unique in its approach with the SCRA tax credit program, which allows businesses and individuals to redirect their tax dollars to fund startups, research, and development, essentially partnering with the state in innovation. These funds produce growth that creates higher-paying jobs in the state while bringing needed innovation, sometimes lifesaving, to the market.

In addition to legislative leaders, industry leaders from Boeing participated to highlight their partnership with Clemson University. Their applied research and development project demonstrates how transformative collaborations and cutting-edge technologies can propel our state forward and serve as a model for others. The project is testing exoskeletons to determine how they may be used in Boeing plants to reduce injuries and create a safer working environment.

After the press conference, attendees toured ‘tech tables’ to learn more about innovations being developed right here in the state. They included:

Babystrong – Originating from the Medical University of South Carolina, this technology is a non-invasive device to address and correct feeding difficulties in preterm and term infants.

Boyd Cycling – Based in Greenville, this company produces craft wheels for the cycling industry using carbon fibers.

Bubble Paper – Based in Greenville, this company offers new and innovative packaging products that replace plastic while providing the same level of protection for the shipping industry.

Health Evolve – Based in Columbia, this company developed an app that allows women to track health indicators through remote patient monitoring to improve women’s health.

Pensievision – Originating from the College of Charleston, this company created a portable, high-resolution, 3D imaging device that has applications in healthcare, manufacturing, and aerospace.

Participants and attendees left the event feeling energized about the bright future of innovation in the Palmetto State.

Fueling South Carolina’s innovation economy isn’t just our mission; it’s central to everything we do. Each year, we work with the University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business to study our economic impact on the state of South Carolina. This section shows how SCRA is positively impacting South Carolina’s jobs, salaries, and growth in the innovation sector. Because this sector produces higher salaries and job resilience, SCRA directly contributes to job growth and salary growth in South Carolina.

$717M

SCRA FY25 ECONOMIC IMPACT

SCRA’s impact on the South Carolina innovation economy was $717M in FY25. The innovation economy is defined as an economic environment that facilitates the production of ideas, knowledge, and information.

$4.7M

GRANTS & INVESTMENTS

SCRA and SC Launch Inc. awarded $4.7M in funds to Member Companies, SC Launch Inc. Portfolio Companies, and academic institutions in FY25. SCRA grants and SC Launch Inc. investments help advance research capabilities, commercialize technology, expand product offerings, fund relocation costs, and more.

SCRA Member Companies & SC Launch Inc. Portfolio Companies have received a total of $3B in follow-on funding since the inception of SC Launch Inc. in 2006. Follow-on-funding is investment capital a company has received after initial financial support from SCRA or SC Launch Inc. $3B

3.7K JOBS

SCRA operations and programs supported 3,772 South Carolina-based jobs in FY25.

$91.9K+ SALARY

The $91,959 average salary of SCRA Member Companies is 51% higher than the average state salary of $61,011.

$31M FUNDING AWARDED

SCRA has provided $31M in funding to support academic research, startups, and infrastructure (FY14-24).

2.6X EMPLOYMENT MULTIPLIER

The innovation economy has consistently helped to improve South Carolina’s overall employment growth rate. For every ten jobs created through SCRA, an additional 16 jobs are created elsewhere.

192

1.39M SQUARE FEET

SCRA owns and/or manages over 1.39 million square feet of research, lab, collaboration, and office space.

36 COMPANIES

are located in SCRA facilities.

SCRA FACILITIES

7 are located across the state of South Carolina.

ACADEMICALLY AFFILIATED

The total number of active SCRA Member Companies and SC Launch Inc. Portfolio Companies. Inc. Portfolio Companies receiving funding and advisement in FY25.

20 COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

college and universities SCRA worked with in FY25.

ACADEMIC INNOVATIONS

Innovation Starts Here: Transforming Research into Real-World Impact

The Academic Innovations Program continued to partner with South Carolina’s academic institutions to bring university-owned intellectual property to market. Through close collaboration with campus technology transfer offices, the program introduced foundational business concepts to technical founders early in the innovation process, helping validate lab-born inventions for market viability.

In 2025, the program supported researchers, aspiring founders, and academic startups across the state’s colleges, universities, and national labs. These innovators tackled real-world challenges through applied research,

with many projects evolving into startups or licensing opportunities. The program’s structured approach to provide wrap-around resources, funding, and mentorship throughout their lifecycle positioned innovations for market entry and investment, driving significant impact to South Carolina’s economic growth.

Academic Innovations awarded over 30 grants to startups advancing deep technologies across various sectors. Notable recipients included two ventures from the Medical University of South Carolina that secured followon investment from SC Launch Inc., SCRA’s investment affiliate. VayuClear Inc. is developing a medical device

Academic Innovations BY THE NUMBERS

152

ACTIVE ENGAGEMENTS

SCRA managed engagements with academic researchers and startups.

20

COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES

The total number of colleges and universities SCRA worked with in 2025.

$31M+

Funding to academic startups, research, and infrastructure (capital/tenant improvements), 2014-2025.

designed to rapidly clear surgical suction lines in operating rooms, enhancing safety for both patients and clinical staff. Leukogene is developing a novel cancer vaccine that activates the patient’s immune system to fight cancer cells, particularly for acute myelogenous leukemia and pancreatic cancer.

Pensievision, a College of Charleston startup, reached a major milestone with its imaging technology becoming the first South Carolina-developed innovation launched to the International Space Station, where it will undergo spaceflight testing for applications in medical diagnostics and surface integrity inspections.

To further strengthen research translation capabilities and multiinstitutional collaboration across the state, the Academic Innovations team launched Tech Transfer Tuesdays - an interactive workshop series delivered in partnership with Fuentek. These sessions equipped institutions with actionable technology transfer strategies and tools that help move innovations, with commercial potential, from lab to market.

$283M+

Follow-on funding (capital) received by academic institutions as a result of SCRA funding, 2014-2025.

Pictured (left to right): Dave Maness, CEO of VayuClear Inc. and Co-founder and Principal at Medical Access Partners LLC, Kella Player Hanna, SCRA Program Manager, Gary Baldwin, VayuClear Inc. Board Chair and Co-founder and Principal at Medical Access Partners LLC. Photo credit: SCRA.

FACILITIES

Building the Future: How SCRA Facilities Power South Carolina’s Innovation Economy

South Carolina is gaining recognition as a destination for innovators looking to launch and expand their businesses. For many in specific industries, having the right space is crucial to their growth. The SCRA facilities team continues to create and manage state-of-the-art spaces for the state’s tech-based startups. They also develop and manage space for academic institutions and their research and development teams.

The facilities team provides wet labs, research facilities, and collaboration spaces that are essential to advancing technology. They also collaborated with ecosystem partners to attract life sciences and technology-based companies to the state of South Carolina.

Some of the innovative projects happening in SCRA facilities in 2025 included molecular diagnostics and research, digital transformation, advanced materials, drone technologies, artificial intelligence, and robotic manufacturing.

The facilities team also completed several ongoing projects and worked with our university partners who continue retooling their spaces to meet current project needs.

Without these specialized spaces provided by SCRA, priced below market, South Carolina risks losing the best and brightest innovators, making this service crucial to the state’s innovation growth.

Facilities BY THE NUMBERS

1.39M

SQUARE FEET

The amount of square footage of SCRA owned and managed buildings, research, office, lab, and collaboration space.

We’re proud to have developed innovation centers from the ground up to support the growth of high-tech companies, ensuring innovation stays and thrives right here in South Carolina. Through these facilities—and by offering discounted leases and access to shared resources for our Member Companies—we’re helping grow our state’s innovation economy and create high-quality jobs.

Randy Cutts, SCRA director of facilities

36 COMPANIES

Amount of companies located in SCRA managed facilities.

7

SCRA FACILITIES

The amount of facilities managed by SCRA.

INDUSTRY SOLUTIONS

Facilitating Innovation: How SCRA Links Startups and Industry for Real-World Impact

The Industry Solutions team continued connecting innovators and industry partners to facilitate new technology projects and accelerate adoption. They awarded grants to eight startups and R&D project leaders to demonstrate their new technology to industry partners. One of the projects with SCRA Member Company, Advent Innovations, and Agriculture partner, W.P. Rawl, demonstrated the large-scale deployment of Advent DigiNodeTM sensors for continuous and real time monitoring of soil and weather, leading to the efficient use of farm resources and maximizing the productivity

and profitability of farms. The W.P. Rawl deployment will be followed by a series of pilot projects from Advent Innovations across other farms in South Carolina encompassing multiple specialty crops to maximize production and minimize crop loss.

Early in the year, the team hosted its first Technology B2B Matchmaker in collaboration with the South Carolina Department of Commerce. This half-day event brought together ten industry buyers from both private business and government sectors looking to purchase goods and services from 31 technology suppliers (startups). Sixteen

Industry Solutions

$380K

FUNDING AWARDED

The total amount of demonstration grants awarded to grantees (academic R&D, and startups) to demonstrate innovation to industry partners, PLUS the amount of grant funding awarded to startups relocating to South Carolina.

THE NUMBERS

$400K

The amount of matching funds industry partners provided to SCRA industry demonstration grantees.

SC-BASED JOBS

The amount of jobs forecasted for FY24-FY26 as a result of SCRA industry grant funding.

of the startups were SCRA Member and SC Launch Inc. Portfolio Companies. The startups were preselected to attend. Buyers and suppliers circulated and participated in 180 ten-minute sessions. From industry requests, six of the suppliers also exhibited in the corridor to present live demos of their technology.

In addition to connecting innovators with industry partners, the Industry Solutions team also collaborates with ecosystem partners to help cover the relocation costs for technology companies, enabling them to establish their operations in South Carolina and further contributing to the growth of innovation and job creation.

Our role at SCRA is to connect South Carolina’s industries with the resources and partners they need to innovate, grow, and stay competitive. We’re here to make sure great ideas don’t leave the state— they turn into great companies and great jobs right here at home.

Catherine Hayes, SCRA director of customer solutions

AI Symposium

SC LAUNCH & SC LAUNCH INC.

Connecting Innovators: SC Launch and SC Launch Inc. Leads AI Collaboration and Startup Growth Across the State

SCRA’s SC Launch team expanded its reach into the entrepreneurial ecosystems in 2025 to support and help grow startups. These activities included more SCRA ‘firsts,’ where their member and portfolio companies networked and met with new potential customers and investors.

An AI symposium and consortium kicked off in April and continued throughout the year. SCRA’s Chief Program Officer, Lee MacIlwinen, partnered with government leaders, including Representative Jeff Bradley, Chairman of the South Carolina House’s Regulations, Administrative Procedures, Artificial Intelligence &

Cybersecurity Committee, as well as leaders from BMW, Clemson University, and the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness. Symposium leaders published a statewide report, and SCRA launched an online collaborative space for ongoing conversations. They also hosted the AI Consortium Coffee and Connection events in Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville.

Investor Day brought together a diverse range of twenty startups, from software to medical technology companies, which collectively held over 50 individual meetings with investors from Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, and South Carolina.

SC Launch & SC Launch Inc.

$20.3M+

The amount of grant funding awarded to startups since 2006.

$63.63M+

Total amount of investments made in startups since SC Launch Inc started in 2006.

Regional investor-focused Workshops brought together earlystage startups to learn more about achieving startup success, including investment fundraising, capital planning, and financial frameworks that support sustainable growth. They were held on the campuses of the Medical University of South Carolina and the University of South Carolina, as well as at the Boyd Innovation Center, powered by GrowCo, in Columbia.

Tech Founders Night was a networking event for tech founders in the Midlands area, where they could connect, network, and enjoy a baseball game at Segra Park. Founders enjoyed networking while watching the Columbia Fireflies baseball game in a private suite.

Southeastern Freight Demo Day provided an opportunity for SCRA Members and SC Launch, Inc. Portfolio Companies to pitch for ten minutes, followed by ten minutes for questions. One company was selected to receive an SCRA demonstration grant to showcase its technology to the trucking and logistics industry.

The SC Launch program will begin celebrating new memberships, grant awards, and investments at quarterly regional events in 2026.

$3B CAPITAL RAISED

Capital received by startups as a result of SCRA funding since 2006.

SCRA FINANCIALS

ASSETS

RESOURCES

REVENUE SOURCES

As a public, nonprofit corporation, SCRA provides financial reporting consistent with regulatory requirements. The following is a summary of SCRA’s financial position at the end of Fiscal Years 2025 and 2024, and a comparison of revenue generated in FY2025 and FY2024.

INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIP FUND CONTRIBUTORS

SCRA thanks the organizations and individuals below for redirecting their taxes at the following levels:

Visionary - $500,000+

n IAG Capital

n Motley Rice

n Elizabeth Bartlett CPA

n Comporium

Diamond - $200,000 to $499,999

n Blue Cross Blue Shield of SC

n Charleston ENT Associates

n Jolin Enterprises

n Retina Consultants of Carolina

n Easley Periodontics

n Home Telecom

Platinum - $150,000-$199,999

n Restorative Arts Dental

n Ameris Bank

n Dominion Energy

Gold - $100,000 to $149,999

n Charleston Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Assoc

n CS Exteriors

n Curtis Pennington

n Slaughter Consulting

Silver - $50,000 to $99,000

n All Seasons Landscape & Maint

n Catalyst Research Inc DBA RXN Group

n First Tuesday Strategies

n Barwick Plumbing Co

n Hucks Financial Services

n John & Stacy McBride Jr

n Law Offices of Seth Rose

n Palmetto Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

n The Bland Law Firm

n We Care Family Health

n Charleston Center for Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry

n Margaret Dricoll & David Conole

n Accounting Systems

n Canal Insurance

n Coastal Wealth Management

n Cummings Wealth Management

n ExpertRad

n Keenan W Smith DMD (Vineyard Dental)

n Low Country Physician Consultants

n Rutledge Investment Group

n Sandhills Periodontics

Bronze - $10,000-$49,999

n Nathan & Desiree Leaphart

n The Scott Family

n Albenberg Family Practice

n Charleston Concrete Construction

n Integer Technologies

n Tylan Creek Family Dentistry Simpsonville

n Endodontic Associates of Charleston

n Edward Kluiters

n Beau Clowney Architects

n Bonnie Rothwell, DMD

n Coastal Dental Group

n EMABS

n Hillcrest Cosmetic & Family Dental

n Iron Lion Realty

n Matthew Mastrorocco, DMD

n Affordable Dentistry

n Andre & Tina Yee

n 860 Strategies Inc

n Periodontal Associates

n Gentle Dentistry of Lexington

n Health Realty

n Kyle Exelby

n Rodney Schlosser

n Kids Teeth

n Archibald Hardy IV

n Blevins Dentistry

n Heath Johnson

n Herlong & Associates Inc

n Hitchcock Animal Hospital Corporation

n Holy City Dentistry

n Kassel Aviation Insurance

n Myers Elliotte

n Palmetto Facial Plastic Surgery

n Pathway Leadership consulting

n SAOS Capital

n Steven & Tiffany Gilliam

n Divitiae

n Bocklet Orthodontics

n McCullough Kahn

n Beach Endodontics

n Chris & Carrie Lanning

n Harmon & Felts, PA

n Hood Construction

n Jarrod Stokes

n JR15

n Robinson Ventures

n Thiem McCuthcheon Winkler CPAs PA

n Trevor & Crystal Eddy

n Charleston Oculoplastics

n The Donaldson Law Firm

n Lowcountry Endodontics PA

n Palmetto Investment Consulting

n April K Spitz, DMD, PA

n nBob & Cathy Quinn

n Buckwalter Dental Care

n Carolina Center for Restorative Dentistry

n Ellenontheglow

n Green Orthodontics PA

n Marc Chary Hilton Head Rentals

n Oaks at Creek Landing

n Reynolds Family Dentistry

n Southeastern ENT, Allergy & Sleep Disorders

n Thompkins, Thompson & Brown

n Tom Bumgardt

n William Coulter, DMD, PA

n Ascend Foods Inc

n Dutch Fork Family Dentistry PA

n Mark Waninger Dentistry DBA Dentistry at Habersham

n NE Columbia family Dentisttry

n Tyler & Michelle Fogleman

n Health Care Business Consultants

n Everett Sports Marketing

n Carolina HVAC

n Christopher Andrews DMD, PA

n Cornerstone Childrens Dentistry

n Brickyard Dental Group

n Nathan Williams

n A Hoffman-Heidlberg Agency

n Anna T Fuller DMD

n Blue Door Development

n Chapin Commercial Construction

n Donna Barrett Oliphant (Simms Oliphant)

n Ethical Patient Advocacy

n Fennelly Associates

n Forest Acres Dentistry

n Forever Happy Gums

n Glimma NA

n Henry Parr Jr

n John Curtis T Lewis

n La Mer Luxe

n Law Offices of LW Cooper

n Lowcountry Hand Center PC

n Professional Movers of Charleston

n Prudent Man

n Robert & Janet Keen Jr

n Roebuck Family Dentistry PA

n Ron Banik, DMD, PC

n Spartan Investments

n SRJ Holdings

n TPG Broker Fund

n Young Law Firm

n Southern Spas Development LLC

n Miles Martschink

n Kassis Long Family Dentistry PC

n Riverrock Engineering

n Southeast Endodontics PC

n Barnwell Family Dentistry

n Carney & Sons

n Daniel Henderson DMD

n Donald & Barbara Herriott

n George Roper III

n Hawk & Hawk Law firm

n Home Team Realty

n TSFA

n Russell Cook

n Bobby Short

n Greg Wilcox

n Matt Bell

n P Mason Hogue

n A Better Me Psychiatry

n Atlantic Aesthetics PA

n Bailey Foods

n Bailey Real Estate

n Cory Manning & Tina Cundari

n Costa & Williams Dental Care

n Daniel & Katherine Fritze

n Deborah Herbert

n Gavin Criser DDS MS PA

n Helen Berenyi

n Holley & Company

n J Musselman Construction

n James C Brinkley Jr DBA Soap

N Suds

n Kim & Lahey Law Firm

n Kozcloses

n Lemon Tree Dental

n LIG

n Maarten Zonjee

n Mavin Construction

n Michael Jacob Wehman DMD, PA

n Ned S Jennings DMD

n Palmetto Kids Dentistry, PA

n Schembra Real Estate Group

n Sleepy Owl Dentristry

n SmileCare PA

n Smiles BY KD

n Steve Lenker

n The Law Offices of LE Cooper Jr

n Twin Properties

n Francis A Metzger

n Laura Terry

n Randy Cutts

n Fred Martschink III

n Michael Armstrong

n Collin Buckner

n Samios Realty

n Albert & Julia Mims

n Christopher Bernat

n Kris Cato

n Catherine Hayes

n Rob Moser

n Yolanda Lewis

n Adrianne Grimes

n Bowharp Engineered Solutions

n Broad Street Lending

n Elizabeth Pilcher

n Glen Caulk

n Griffith Growth Consulting

n J Gregg Caputo DMD PA

n PHH Enterprises

n Tax Law & Accounting Group

n Timsurance

n Austin Saggus

n Zante

n Ascension Consulting

n Teresa Hinson

n Blair Dorneanu

n Aiken Podiatry Center

n B&B Properties

n David Issac & Juliana Flint

n Talo Construction

n Patti Mack

n Paul Doughty, DMD, PA

n AEH Creative

n Lynette Harris

n Tisha Eaves

n Andy & Lesha Olsen

n Jane E Mason

n Paul Archie LeCroy III

n Good United

n Jeannine Rogers

n Mitch Smith

n Anonymous

LEADERSHIP

SCRA Board of Trustees

Executive Committee

The SCRA board of trustees’ executive committee is comprised of the presidents of Clemson University, the Medical University of South Carolina, South Carolina State University, and the University of South Carolina; the South Carolina governor or designee (to serve as Chairman); an additional appointee of the governor; the chairman of the South Carolina House Ways and Means Committee or designee; the chairman of the South Carolina Senate Finance Committee or designee; and two additional members.

Dr. Michael Amiridis, Ph.D.

President

University of South Carolina

Dr. L. Fred Carter, Ph.D.

President Francis Marion University

Col. Alexander Conyers (Ret.)

President South Carolina State University

Dr. James P. Clements, Ph.D.

President, Clemson University

Hon. Lawrence K. (Larry) Grooms

Senator, South Carolina Senate

Hon. Robert D. (Robby) Robbins

Attorney and Member of the SC House of Representatives

Dr. David J. Cole, M.D., FACS

President, Medical University of South Carolina

The teams at SCRA and SC Launch Inc. have been with us from the beginning, and we really appreciate their advice and funding.

Board Members

Dr. Michael Amiridis

President, University of South Carolina

Mr. Marcus D. Benjamin CEO, Benjamin Strategy Advisors

Dr. L. Fred Carter

President, Francis Marion University

Mr. Jody Chastain

President and CEO, The Ritedose Corporation

Dr. James P. Clements

President, Clemson University

Mr. Scott Cochran

Chair of the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities’ Council of Presidents, President, Spartanburg Methodist College

Dr. David J. Cole

President, Medical University of South Carolina

Col. (U.S. Army Retired) Alexander Conyers

President, South Carolina State University

Mr. Sean Flynn

Regional Director/Civil Manager, Thomas & Hutton

Dr. Johney Green, Jr.

Director, Savannah River National Laboratory

Sen. Lawrence K. “Larry” Grooms

SC Senate

Mr. Robert (Wes) Hayes, Jr.

Chairman South Carolina Commission on Higher Education; Attorney, Hayes and Hayes, LLC

Ms. Heather Simmons Jones

Director of Southeast Operations, MRB Group

Mr. William “Bill” Kirkland

Interim President and CEO, SCRA

Ms. Patti Leahy

SC Launch Inc. Board Chair, Enterprise Investors Board Member, Build Carolina Board Chair

Secretary Harry M. Lightsey, III

Secretary, South Carolina Department of Commerce

Dr. Kristin Manske

Chief Executive Officer, Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital

Ms. Andrea Marshall J.D.

Managing Principal, OphthaFund

Mr. Frank Mobley

Founder & Former CEO of Immedion (now DartPoints)

Rep. Robert D. (Robby) Robbins

Attorney and Member of the SC House of Representatives

Mr. Roger P. Schrum

Chairman, South Carolina Board of Technical and Comprehensive Education

Ms. Sue-Ann (Susie) G. Shannon

President and CEO, South Carolina Council on Competitiveness

Mr. Bob Quinn

Advisor to the Board of Trustees, Former President and CEO

SCRA and SC Launch Inc.’s advisement and funding are enabling us to refine how we help MSPs justify cybersecurity spending to their clients.

Adam Anderson, co-founder, ThreatCaptain

Name, title, company

SC Launch, Inc. Board of Directors

SC Launch Inc. is the investment affiliate of the South Carolina Research Authority. The independent, nonprofit corporation provides convertible loans and investment funding to qualifying SCRA Member Companies. The returns on this funding provide the resources for additional investments in next-generation technology startups.The board, consisting of nine members, represents South Carolina’s academic institutions and industry. They also have experience working with startup companies.

Ms. Patti Leahy

SC Launch Inc. Board Chair, Enterprise Investors Board Member, Build Carolina Board Chair

Mr. Clifford Holekamp

SC Launch, Inc. Board Vice Chair, Cofounder and Managing Director, Cultivation Capital

Mr. Jon-Michial Carter

Founder and Chief Growth Officer, ChartSpan Medical Technologies, Inc.

Dr. Julie Iarossi, DBA

SC Launch, Inc. A&F Committee Chair, Director, VentureSouth Investments LLC, Managing Member, Coalesce Capital LLC, Retired Faculty University of South Carolina

Ms. Karen R. Jenkins President & CEO, KRJ Consulting, LLC

Mr. Derek Pedersen CEO, Uncorked Chocolate

Mr. Bob Crutchfield

Operating Partner at Good Growth Capital

Dr. Gary M. Shiffman Professor, Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business, Clemson University

Ms. Rebecca Gevalt

Managing Partner, Dcode Capital

As soon as we became an SCRA Member Company last year, we began reaping the benefits of this partnership

Jeffrey DiMaio, PhD., CEO and founder, VBASE Oil Company

SCRA Staff Leadership

SCRA is led by diverse leadership who each bring their own expertise to the table to accomplish SCRA’s mission, fueling South Carolina’s innovation economy.

William “Bill” Kirkland Interim President and CEO

Mr. Lee MacIlwinen, Chief Program Officer

Ms. Catherine Hayes, Director, Customer Solutions

Dr. Nadim Aziz Director, SC EPSCoR

Ms. Teresa Hinson, Director, Governance, Risk & Compliance

Ms. Jeannine Briggman Rogers Director, Program Development

Mr. Randy Cutts Director, Facilities

Ms. Adrianne Grimes Director, Marketing and Communications

Ms. Yolanda Lewis Director, Human Resources

Partnering with the teams at SCRA and SC Launch Inc. has proven to be a great decision. With their advisement and this investment, we are poised to continue growing.

Jim Jacob, founder, Storybutton

Name, title, company

Patti Mack Director, Finance and Administration