Columbia, S.C. – Bellwether Biotech, CADmore, Caridea Therapeutics, Connexus, Chipp, FeatherPMS, Sleep Pods, and Sustainable Materials Technologies were accepted as South Carolina Research Authority member companies. Bellwether Biotech, MyUI.AI, NeuroHope Therapeutics, and ThreatCaptain received new grant funding.
All SCRA member companies receive coaching and access to SCRA’s member benefits and startup resources, can apply for grant funding, and have the potential to be considered for investment from SCRA’s investment affiliate, SC Launch Inc.
Bellwether Biotech was accepted as an SCRA member company and received a $25,000 startup grant. The Charleston—based biotech company is dedicated to building advanced preclinical research tools—with a special focus on ultrasound and neuroethology platforms. Their mission is to craft “paradigm-shifting” devices that bring high-end research capabilities to routine lab environments.
CADmore was accepted as an SCRA member company. The Columbia-based 3D design and engineering firm transforms concepts — from rough sketches or scans — into manufacturable CAD files, serving industries from aerospace to consumer products. CADmore offers a streamlined, on-demand design service to help businesses and innovators move smoothly from idea to production.
Caridea Therapeutics was accepted as an SCRA member company. The Charleston-based biotechnology company is developing next-generation cell therapy platforms designed to harness the immune system for therapeutic use. Their mission centers on creating novel, advanced cell-based treatments with the goal of transforming how complex diseases are addressed.
Connexus was accepted as an SCRA member company. The Murrells Inlet-based startup has developed a real estate procurement and operations platform that centralizes vendor databases, contract management, scope-of-work creation, benchmarking, and RFP processes into a single, AI-enabled system. The company helps property owners and operators streamline procurement and contract workflows, driving cost savings, compliance, and operational efficiency across real-estate portfolios.
Chipp was accepted as an SCRA member company. The Greenville-based company offers a no-code platform for businesses to build, brand, and deploy custom AI agents trained on their own knowledge — delivering chatbots for tasks like customer support, internal team assistance, lead qualification, or content automation.
FeatherPMS was accepted as an SCRA member company. The Charleston-based company is an all-in-one property management software platform built for vacation rental and hospitality operators, unifying listings, reservations, guest communications, revenue management, and maintenance into a single system.
MyUI.AI received a $25,000 academic startup grant. The Simpsonville-based information technology startup enables people with disabilities to interact with customized digital interfaces rather than default, potentially inaccessible ones. Their cloud-based system leverages AI to adapt the digital interfaces of consumer appliances, kiosks, and nearly any compatible system-to-system or cloud-based device to the specific interaction needs of people with disabilities.
NeuroHope Therapeutics received a $50,000 federal matching grant. The Greenville-based life science company has developed an innovation that uses nanotechnology for combinatorial drug and gene delivery. The initial use is for the regeneration and repair of the central nervous system.
Sleep Pods was accepted as an SCRA member company. The Charleston-based company provides secure, modular, containerized sleep environments that integrate ballistic protection, acoustic isolation, HVAC, biometric monitoring, and AI-driven sleep optimization. These innovative systems address critical sleep deprivation among warfighters and first responders, enhancing their readiness, safety, and mission success in austere, high-threat environments.
Sustainable Materials Technologies was accepted as an SCRA member company. The Spartanburg-based sustainable materials startup develops bio-based, drop-in alternatives to specialty chemicals — enabling formulators to replace non-renewable additives with high-performance, low-carbon options.
ThreatCaptain received a $50,000 demonstration grant. The Greenville-based information technology startup is a financial cyber-risk tool tailored explicitly for managed service providers. ThreatCaptain is dedicated to bridging the gap between executive leadership and security teams, enhancing cybersecurity through strategic alignment and informed decision-making.
SCRA Interim President and CEO Bill Kirkland said, “We welcome these new member companies and congratulate those that received funding.”
Grant funding is made possible, in part, by SCRA’s tax credit program, the Industry Partnership Fund, and its contributions that fuel the state’s innovation economy. Contributors to the IPF receive a dollar-for-dollar state tax credit, making it an easy and effective way to help one of the fastest-growing segments of the South Carolina economy. Grant funding for member companies creates a direct, positive economic effect and job creation.
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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.
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