These hubs will serve as regional centers for “collaboration, resource sharing and support for high-potential tech companies,” as they turn ideas into enterprises, according to an April 23 statement from SCRA, which added that they are designed to facilitate investment and “emerging technology ecosystems” in the state.

Adrianne Grimes, director of marketing and communications at SCRA, said in an email, “Creating an innovation hub entails collaborating with the entrepreneurial support organizations in each local region, then providing the funds and resources they need to help the startups in that area continue to grow and create jobs. An example of collaboration is the Florence Economic Development Partnership and Francis Marion University discussing a possible partnership to better serve startups in the Florence area.”

Gregg Robinson, CEO of Florence County Economic Development Partnership said in phone interview that the Florence innovation hub will build off of his organization’s existing partnerships with Francis Marion, Florence-Darlington Technical College and MUSC. He said SCRA would help with funding and statutory incentives, such as job tax credits, as well as provide advice for young entrepreneurs on how to scale.

SCRA said, starting this month, eligible nonprofit entrepreneurial support organizations may apply for grants to “develop and deliver targeted programming that helps early-stage high-tech and high-growth companies accelerate their innovations.” Eligible organizations include accelerators, incubators, colleges, universities and industry associations.

The grants can be applied toward endeavors such as mentorship programs, pitch competitions, technical workshops and investor matchmaking events, as well as training in areas such as product development, go-to-market strategies, fundraising and intellectual property, the statement said. “The goal is to create an environment where innovative companies can rapidly advance their technologies, attract follow-on investment, and scale operations within South Carolina.”

Those interested in applying can email [email protected].

Grimes said, "One guiding principle of the ‘hubs’ model is to create a standardized approach to regional support and funding that incorporates the needs of each specific region.”

Kevin Eichelberger is regional director of SCRA’s Coastal region. He had joined the organization about a year ago and most recently served as senior investment manager. Eichelberger said in an email that the Coastal region is “primarily focused on Charleston, Beaufort, Myrtle Beach and Florence as our areas of greatest opportunity.”

Prior to SCRA, he had founded Charleston-based tech company Blue Acorn, which, over the course of 13 years had grown to employ 150 at its peak, Eichelberger said. He has sat on Charleston Digital Corridor’s board, mentored at the Harbor Entrepreneur Center in Mount Pleasant, and has actively assisted entrepreneurs via board, advisory and consulting work.

“Our goal with the innovation hubs program is to add fuel to the startup ecosystems across the state.” Eichelberger said. “We have regional and local resources across the state that support entrepreneurs: Accelerator programs, incubators, entrepreneurial support organizations, etcetera. We’re assessing each region for their strengths and their opportunities that we can lean into by providing additional resources in the form of grants.

“We believe that providing additional resources and support to these nonprofit organizations will output more early-stage, venture-scalable startups. This could be in tech, but we’re also keenly focused on advanced manufacturing, life sciences, clean energy and agricultural technologies.”

Eichelberger is based in Charleston; SCRA won’t be occupying an office in Florence. “At this time, our local presence will be as needed,” Grimes said. “An example would be hosting an event at the Florence County Economic Development offices.”

Robinson said, “Now that Florence is a Tier-I county, we want to go after more hub-related headquartered activity in the Pee Dee region.”

Florence had attained Tier-I status this year, placing it among the top 10 most developed counties in the state for the first time in 15 years. The SC Department of Revenue ranks counties in the state along the lines of rising per capita income and declining unemployment under Section 12-6-3360(B) of SC Code of Laws.

“We’re also trying to promote entrepreneurialism and make sure we are providing a conduit to these service organizations that supports the back office and entrepreneurialism," Robinson added.

“We’re ready to start as soon as possible,” he said.