Upstate SC Alliance

06/05/2026

South Carolina is investing in becoming a hub for advanced energy innovation, and eiX Venture Studio puts entrepreneurs at the center of that effort by pairing teams with advanced energy technology from universities and federal laboratories.

The program is free to participate in, takes no equity, and awards a $50,000 prize pool at completion. Teams that validate a path to market have the opportunity to license the underlying technology and incorporate a South Carolina-based company.

If you are a technical or operational professional in energy who has considered a transition into a founding role, applications are open now through June 30.

Apply Here: http://insights.fedtech.io/sc_nexus_eix_2026

The entrepreneurship and innovation eXchange (eiX), an initiative of SC NEXUS led by the South Carolina Research Authority - SCRA, includes the eiX Venture Studio, delivered by NextGEN and powered by FedTech.

The Venture Studio is a program that supports the formation of new energy technology companies in South Carolina.

06/04/2026

The Greenwood Genetic Center is making strides!

Further solidifying its position as a leader in genetic medicine and diagnostics, GGC is now the first laboratory in the Southeast (and only the second in the US) to offer standalone long-read sequencing as a clinical diagnostic service.

This type of testing, which examines long stretches of DNA in a single read, will bring answers to patients who have gone undiagnosed after standard testing, offering more personalized care and expanding access to cutting-edge diagnostic capabilities typically only available at a handful of institutions nationwide.

Greenwood Genetic Center continues to expand and innovate, providing excellent care for patients across our state and beyond.

Congratulations, GGC!

Read more here: https://bit.ly/4oc1I1b

The Greenwood Genetic Center (GGC) Diagnostic Laboratory has launched long-read genomic sequencing, marking a significant advancement in genetic testing for patients with complex and previously undiagnosed conditions. With this implementation, GGC becomes the first laboratory in South Carolina—and...

06/03/2026

Mosdorfer LLC, a manufacturer of energy infrastructure, has announced that it selects Oconee County for its first U.S. operation. The company’s $44.55 million investment will create 107 new jobs.

Mosdorfer is headquartered in Weiz, Austria, where it was founded over 300 years ago in 1712. serve as the company’s North American production and operational hub, supporting long-term growth in the U.S. market while creating skilled manufacturing, engineering and administrative jobs within South Carolina.

Our region’s skilled workforce, collaborative spirit, and strong community continue to stand out to companies relocating to the U.S.

Congratulations, Mosdorfer!

https://bit.ly/43O8e4y

Cc: Oconee Economic Alliance

06/03/2026

South Carolina Research Authority - SCRA's investment affiliate, SC Launch Inc., has been named to PitchBook’s 2025 Global League Table for the Southeast region.

Founded in 2006, SC Launch has a goal of supporting South Carolina’s top innovators. Through providing capital to advanced technology and technology-based businesses, SC Launch is helping to keep operations and talent here in the state.

This ranking highlights the most active venture investors and underscores the role SC Launch continues to play in advancing high-growth companies.

Through strategic investment and support, SC Launch is helping move new technologies to market while strengthening South Carolina’s position in the global innovation economy.

Read more about the ranking here: https://bit.ly/4u43vqn

South Carolina Research Authority’s investment affiliate, SC Launch Inc., was named to Pitchbook’s Global League Table Awards for accelerating business growth and bringing life-saving innovation to the market

06/02/2026

USA Rare Earth, Inc. (USA Rare Earth), a global leader in rare earths, critical minerals and advanced materials, has selected Cherokee County for its first South Carolina operation. The total investment for the project of approximately $1.2 billion will create about 490 new jobs in the state.

With operations in Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as a planned acquisition of a major rare earth mine in Brazil, USA Rare Earth is building a global rare earth and permanent magnet value chain to serve advanced manufacturing for both commercial and defense technologies supporting the U.S. and its allies.

The South Carolina operation will be a critical global link to success for the company, offering the workforce, infrastructure, and partnership to do it.

Congratulations, USA Rare Earth!

https://bit.ly/3PGlvJg

Cc: Cherokee County Development Board

06/02/2026

New headquarters and life science company alert: Biotec innovator GNQ Insilico is moving its North American headquarters and lab to Greenville.

The company, founded in Canada in 2023, uses artificial intelligence and computational science to improve the success and efficiency of drug discovery and development. With goals of changing the way that diseases like cancer are treated, this innovative process can help predict how patients will respond to medication before taking it.

The company will establish its lab operations at the new Clemson University Biomedical Engineering Innovation Campus (CUBEInC) and move its headquarters into Greenville, the Greenville City Economic Development Corporation announced.

“Being embedded in an environment anchored by Prisma Health means our models can be informed by genuine clinical context,” said GNQ CTO Sudhir Saxena. “That’s invaluable. And the engineering and data science talent coming out of Clemson’s programs is exactly the kind of multidisciplinary pipeline we need to build the next generation of GNQ’s platform.”

Congratulations, GNQ!

https://www.upstatescalliance.com/announcements/gnq-insilico-a-500m-biotech-innovator-moving-to-greenville/
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05/28/2026

Are you ready to learn more about AI and keep pace with what’s coming next?

SC Tech, an initiative of the SC Council on Competitiveness, is launching AI in the AM, a virtual series for South Carolina AI ambassadors, covering topics form tools and strategy, to cybersecurity and implementation.

Join these sessions every Tuesday from 8-9 am, May 26th-June30th.

Click here to learn more and register: https://bit.ly/4fbWpMI

05/27/2026

South Carolina is positioning itself for the future of energy, and building the workforce to match.

At the University of South Carolina, a new statewide effort called the Nuclear Workforce and Economic Impact Initiative is aligning education, industry, and training to meet growing demand in nuclear energy.

By connecting students directly to internships, research, and career pathways, this effort is strengthening a pipeline of highly skilled talent ready to support one of the state’s most critical and evolving industries.

With the potential revitalization of the V.C. Sumner Nuclear Station on the horizon, demand is rising for nuclear and USC is preparing the workforce needed to support the project. University led projects have been sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, the office of Naval Research, Westinghouse, General Atomics, NASA, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

This program both reinforces our role in energy innovation and provides employers with access to a workforce prepared for what’s next.

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4e5Z4q6

05/22/2026

Thank you to the 60+ women leaders who joined us yesterday at Sassafrass Flower Farm for our Women’s Networking Event. The afternoon was filled with beautiful scenery, meaningful conversations, and genuine connections among leaders from across the Upstate.

We hope you enjoyed the opportunity to step away, connect with both familiar and new faces, and continue building relationships that strengthen our community. Take a look at some of our favorite moments below!

Photography: Kim Adair DeLoach

05/14/2026

Have you ever wondered who brought Top Chef, the Michelin Guide, or March Madness to Greenville? Heath Dillard, President and CEO of VisitGreenville SC, joined us at this morning's Coffee & Conversation to tell us all about how their organization is shaping the community we know and love.

Attracting everything from sporting events to conferences to leisure travelers, Dillard talked about how tourism adds to our economy and quality of life.

“Visitors don’t see boundaries, they see experiences,” he said, citing the region’s blend of urban centers and mountain destinations.

The hospitality sector generated $2.5 billion annually for Greenville County in 2025, funding daily-use projects like the Swamp Rabbit Trail, supporting the livelihoods of your favorite small businesses, and ensuring every resident has access to resources that they need. "Visitors contribute $665 million in personal income, which are funding our friends and neighbors' ability to afford housing, childcare and basic essentials of life."

Thank you, Heath, for speaking with our investors at Coffee & Conversation, sponsored by MTC Federal Credit Union.