Summerville, SC – After over eight years of stellar board service to the South Carolina Research Authority and its investment affiliate SC Launch Inc., Peter Dunphy has retired from the SCRA board of trustees and the SC Launch Inc. board of directors.
Mr. Dunphy became chairman of the SC Launch Inc. board in 2016 and had many very successful outcomes during his tenure. Some of these include the significant returns to the SC Launch Inc. fund from successful company exits, such as Greenville-based Proterra’s initial public offering and Charleston-based Green River Spirits’ recent acquisition by Bardstown Bourbons. In addition, he initiated a new program in 2020 providing emergency funding to SCRA-supported companies that were providing solutions to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and to those that were struggling due to the pandemic. For example, Global Transplant Solutions used its funding to lease its own fleet to continue preserving and delivering human organs to health systems that would not accept them from FedEx and UPS during the pandemic.
“I’m honored to have served with Peter. His leadership has been instrumental in leading this program over the last seven years. He is an important part of why SC Launch is the program it is today,” said SC Launch Inc. Executive Director and SC Launch Director Matt Bell. “Peter’s legacy is an important part of the South Carolina entrepreneurial ecosystem, and I will always be grateful for his leadership.”
Peter Dunphy is in his 26th year with Michelin, where he has served in several roles, including CFO, Global Services, and Solutions. He is currently the Director of Finance and Administration for Michelin’s B2B Franchise Networks. Mr. Dunphy’s experience includes mergers & acquisitions, post-merger integrations, technology, financial services, retail/consumer industries, strategic planning, growth management, new product development, and general operations across domestic and international markets.
“In addition to his leadership on the SC Launch Inc. board, Peter has provided valuable knowledge and experience to the SCRA board of trustees. His depth and breadth of business knowledge have helped us substantially in our strategic direction and oversight,” said SCRA Executive Director Bob Quinn. “We wish him continued success in his career.”
The overall success of SC Launch Inc. during Mr. Dunphy’s tenure produced investments of over $12 million into over 60 companies. Matt Bell presented him with an appreciation award at the recent S.C. Automotive Summit, and his board contributions were also celebrated at a recent private dinner in his honor.
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Established in 2006, 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 additional coaching and grants to next-generation technology startups.
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
Director of Marketing and Communications, SCRA
O: (854) 888-2033
C: (843) 277-7295
adrianne.grimes@scra.org
