Our Sustainability
Chartered in 1983 by the State of South Carolina as a public, nonprofit corporation, SCRA fuels South Carolina’s innovation economy through the impact of its four programs. SC Academic Innovations provides funding and support to advance translational research and accelerate the growth of university-based startups. SC Facilities offers high-quality laboratory and administrative workspaces for technology-based startups and academic institutions. SC Industry Solutions facilitates and funds partnerships between and among startups, industry, academia, and the relocation of technology-based companies into the state. SC Launch mentors and funds technology-based startups that may also receive investments from SCRA’s investment affiliate, SC Launch Inc.
Sustainability is achieved through exemplary stewardship and our revenue streams that include:
- Contributions to the Industry Partnership Fund (IPF).
- Tenant leases in SCRA’s innovation centers and other facilities.
- Returns from investments in high-growth technology startups.
Contributions to the Industry Partnership Fund (IPF)
Any South Carolina-based business or individual may contribute to the IPF and receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit from the South Carolina Department of Revenue. IPF contributions accelerate academic research and development at South Carolina college and universities and provide the resources for coaching and grant funding and investments for technology startups.
SCRA is proud to recognize our IPF contributors. Learn more about the IPF, the benefits, and our contributors.
Tenant leases in SCRA’s innovation centers.
SCRA houses several technology startups in its innovation centers and other facilities located around the state. In many cases, these spaces are the only place in the state that are outfitted for certain projects.
SCRA’s facilities offer state-of-the-art spaces for emerging companies and academic institutions. They provide wet labs, research facilities and collaboration spaces essential to advance technology as well as to grow and attract technology-based companies to South Carolina.
Investments in high-growth technology startups.
SCRA’s investment affiliate, SC Launch Inc., invests in companies that are on a strong growth trajectory.
Once an SCRA Member Company receives an investment, they become an SC Launch Inc. Portfolio Company.
Thanks in part to their participation in the program, many Portfolio Companies have received large subsequent investments from angel, venture, and strategic investors. Several Portfolio Companies have then gone on to achieve a successful exit event either via an initial public offering, a merger, or an acquisition. The proceeds to SC Launch Inc. resulting from these exit events are then redeployed as investments in other startups.
