April 10, 2020

Greetings! ICYMI... We are constantly updating our SCRA and COVID-19 webpage with resources. Check back often to see what new items have been added and please feel free to share it with others.
The McNair Institute for Entrepreneurism and Free Enterprise, Faber Entrepreneurship Center and South Carolina Research Authority are seeking students’ ideas that address the most pressing technical, social, and financial issues caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Up to $9,000 prize money (up to $1,000 per winning individual or team) will be awarded for the ideas that have the most potential for impact. Ideas will be developed online in StartupWind, using an idea concept card, a business model canvas, and a budget.

Eligibility: All currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate University of South Carolina students in good academic and judicial standing on all UofSC campuses are eligible. The competition is open to individuals and teams of any size.

Entries are due Sunday, April 19, 11 pm. Winners will be announced by April 30. Learn more
April 28
ONLINE | 11 am


Learn about SBIR/STTR programs.

SCRA has allocated substantial additional funding in grants and investments with a particular focus on current Client Companies to assist them in navigating through these unprecedented times.

Your contribution to the IPF is vital to helpmake possible the survival of early-stage companies.

You can also help by spreading the word — share this flyer with other potential contributors.
SCRA announces a $250,000 SC Launch, Inc. investment in Precision Genetics. The life sciences company, located in Greenville, was recently accepted into SCRA’s entrepreneurial program, SC Launch. Learn more
SC Launch, Inc. Portfolio Company, Zverse, is currently producing 50K shields per day. By mid-April, capacity will grow to 100K shields per day. ZVerse Founder and CEO projects the company will produce 20M shields by July. Learn more
SC Launch Client Company, Blue Eye Soft Corp, is looking for collaborators to help fine tune the models they are developing and will deploy for faster COVID-19 detection and diagnosis across the globe. Learn more

UPCOMING WEBINARS
for the week of April 12-18
MON, APRIL 13
  • 2 pm: Navigating the COVID-19 Fog: A smallish business perspective (Charleston Metro Chamber)

TUES, APRIL 14
  • 10 am: Community Matters: Small Business Update (Greenville Chamber)
  • 11 am: NONPROFIT SERIES: What Do I Do First? Prioritizing Your Fundraising Efforts (Charleston Metro Chamber)
  • 1 pm: Upstate Entrepreneur Ecosystem Webinar Panel (Ten at the Top)
  • 2 pm: Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Practical Issues for Employers in Navigating the New Federal Emergency Paid FMLA and Sick Leave Mandate (Charleston Metro Chamber)

WEDS, APRIL 15
  • 2 pm: Managing Cash in a Crisis: Strategies learned through decades of experience from three small business owners (Charleston Metro Chamber)

THURS, APRIL 16
  • 10 am: Community Matters: Healthcare Update (Greenville Chamber)
  • 11 am: Remaining Social While Distancing (SC Biz/BridgeTower Media)

FRI, APRIL 17
  • 11 am: Governmental Update: An Update on State and Federal efforts (Charleston Metro Chamber)
  • 12 pm: weekly National Small Business Town Hall (Inc. magazine and US Chamber of Commerce)
The Chamber’s Talent Connection initiative connects companies in need of immediate temporary workers with talent who are looking for work due to circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Charleston Metro Chamber created Profs on Call in partnership with the College of Charleston School of Business to provide resources to help businesses navigate through this difficult time.
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina and its subsidiary BlueChoice HealthPlan announced that effective immediately, the insurers will waive all out-of-pocket costs related to in-network COVID-19 medical treatment for members, through June 1. Learn more
The SC COVID-19 Emergency Supply Collaborative is seeking community partners with the ability to quickly source and/or make needed medical supplies to support the State of South Carolina’s COVID-19 response.
COVID-19 Business Guide: The Post and Courier is offering a free way for businesses to connect with their customers and share how to continue to shop and offer support.
The SC House of Representatives passed the Continuing Resolution on Wednesday, a plan that would allocate $180 million for the COVID-19 Response Reserve Act. Learn more
In an effort to provide guidance and much-needed tools, SC Department of Commerce has launched the online  COVID-19 Business Resource Center . 
The SC Chamber is compiling the latest resources on COVID-19, so you can have easy access to the information you need to run your business and protect your employees.
South Carolina Research Authority