SC Launch Inc. Investment Program
Funding Amount
Typically up to $200,000 or more per round; seed-stage through Series B
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Grant Type
foundation
Overview
SC Launch Inc. Investment Program
Program Name: SC Launch Inc. - SCRA Member Company Investment Program
Geographic Scope: South Carolina
Background: SC Launch Inc. is SCRA's venture capital investment arm providing seed and early-stage funding to innovative South Carolina companies. The program has deployed $3B in follow-on funding to portfolio companies since inception in 2006.
Investment Focus:
Financing Amounts: Typically up to $200,000 or more per round; may include matching requirements
Required Characteristics of Funded Companies:
Location Requirement (Mandatory):
Business Characteristics:
Due Diligence Process:
Post-Investment Support:
How to Apply:
How to Apply
Application Process for SC Launch Inc. Investment
Eligibility Screening:
1. Company must be an SCRA Member Company
2. Application requires recommendation from assigned investment manager
3. Applications directed by SC Launch Inc. executive director
Initial Requirements:
Application Materials:
Applications should address:
1. Competitive analysis
2. Technology development plan
3. Regulatory considerations
4. Intellectual property details (patents, trademarks, trade secrets, copyrights)
5. Hiring plan
6. Corporate structure
7. Financial projections and current financials
8. Details of any concurrent investments underway
9. Marketing strategy and market demand
10. Valuation and financial return potential
11. Job creation projections
Process Steps:
1. Work with assigned investment manager (for SCRA Members)
2. Develop letter of intent and term sheet
3. Due diligence review by SC Launch Inc.
4. Investment decision
5. Ongoing post-investment support from investment manager
Next Steps:
For non-SCRA members seeking to access SC Launch Inc. funding:
1. Apply for SCRA membership
2. Request assignment of investment manager
3. Work with manager to develop investment proposal
4. Submit comprehensive business plan and supporting materials
What South Carolina Research Authority actually gave
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, 2023
- Grants in 2023
- 47
- Total given
- $3.46M
- Median grant
- $50K
- Range
- $10K–$693K
- By dollars: South Carolina >99%, Ohio <1%. Top recipient cities: Greenville, SC; Charleston, SC; Columbia, SC.
- 0% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
- 62% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.
Example grants
Clemson University · Clemson, SC
Demonstration/SACT
$693K
SC Launch Inc · Columbia, SC
Support Services
$500K
University of South Carolina · Columbia, SC
Academic Matching/SACT/Strategic Alignment
$484K
Clemson University Research Foundation · Clemson, SC
Academic Matching/Strategic Alignment
$110K
Francis Marion University · Florence, SC
Sact
$96K
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
Fields of Work
Categories
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