COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Research Authority is partnering with the University of South Carolina Columbia Technology Incubator—soon to be rebranded as The Midlands Innovation X-Change (The MIX)—to provide critical funding for the South Carolina Chapter of SCORE. SCORE is a nationwide nonprofit and resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration, providing free mentoring and education to small business owners and entrepreneurs.
“SCRA exists to strengthen South Carolina’s innovation economy, and we share SCORE’s mission of business development,” said SCRA Interim President and CEO Bill Kirkland. “SCORE’s mentorship network has proven to be one of the most effective tools for turning ideas into thriving businesses. We are proud to step in to ensure this critical work continues without interruption.”
“This partnership comes at a time when proposed cuts can reduce SCORE’s national funding, jeopardizing the mentorship and education programs that have fueled small business growth across South Carolina for decades,” said SCORE Interim Executive Director Julie Christiansen. “In 2024 alone, SCORE South Carolina helped create 848 new businesses through the mentorship of 218 volunteer business experts. The Midlands Chapter, located at the MIX, has mentored more than 2,100 unique clients and facilitated more than 4,000 one-on-one mentoring sessions to date.”
“Mentorship is at the heart of every small business success story,” said SCORE Volunteer Midlands Chairman Buddy Smith. “This collaboration with SCRA and The MIX not only sustains our mission but reinforces the importance of coming together during challenging times and creating an even better ecosystem for South Carolina’s entrepreneurial future.”
“We thank The MIX for their partnership in such an important service to the business community,” Kirkland added.
SCORE’s South Carolina chapters serve as a lifeline for startups and established small businesses alike, helping create jobs, grow local economies, and foster innovation throughout the state.
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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.
Media Contact
Adrianne Grimes
SCRA Director of Marketing and Communications
