South Carolina SBIR Phase 0 Program
Ms. April Heyward, MRA
Program Manager, SC EPSCoR/IDeA Program
1000 Catawba St.
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 733-9068
april.heyward@scra.org
Purpose of Initiative
The South Carolina EPSCoR/IDeA Program administers the South Carolina Small Business Innovation Research Phase 0 Program to provide small businesses with seed investments to foster competitive research and development proposal submissions. The goal of the SC EPSCoR/IDeA Phase 0 program is to support South Carolina small businesses in their proposal development efforts to compete effectively for SBIR/STTR funding to support the Materials Assembly and Design Excellence in South Carolina (MADE in SC) program funded by the NSF EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Track-1 Program and/or Vision 2025, the South Carolina Science and Technology Plan. Proposals should address one or more of the following topics pertaining to MADE in SC: Thrust 1 – Intelligently designed optical and magnetic materials; Thrust 2 – Stimuli responsive polymeric materials; Thrust 3 – Interactive biomaterials; and, Thrust 4 – Modeling and computation core (MCC). For Vision 2025, areas of interest include advanced manufacturing, advanced materials, digital technologies, and transportation, distribution and logistics.
Eligibility
Eligibility for SBIR Phase 0 funds is limited to American-owned, for-profit, South Carolina-based small businesses (with fewer than 500 employees). If the proposing entity is more than 50% owned by another entity or entities, the majority owner(s) will be considered the proposing entity and is subject to the basic qualifications and rules as outlined.
Application Process
Information regarding proposal submission for this program is available through the solicitation.
Award Details
The SBIR Phase 0 Program provides seed grants of up to $6,000 per proposal to small businesses seeking SBIR/STTR support. An additional $3,000 can be requested for a student internship related to Materials Science projects only.
SC Launch SBIR/STTR Matching Grant
(843) 760-3200
info@scra.org
Purpose of Initiative
The SC Launch program grows new technology companies in South Carolina and it attracts existing companies to the state. SC Launch invests its net revenues and an annual $6 million from the Industry Partnership Fund into qualified, South Carolina-based technology companies. The program provides mentoring, grant and investment support to companies that are aligned with such industries as advanced materials and manufacturing, life sciences and information technology. As part of the SBIR/STTR Matching Grant Program, SC Launch awards matching funds to companies that have been granted federal SBIR or STTR Phase I awards.
Eligibility
A company can only receive one matching grant per solicitation year and each company is limited to two SBIR/STTR Matching Grants in the company’s lifetime. The company must be, or eligible to become, an SC Launch Client Company. Requirements for this designation can be reviewed here. To be considered for this program, companies go through an extensive due diligence process and they must appear before the SC Launch Board of Directors for approval. SC Launch companies must reside in the state of South Carolina.
Application Process
Applications are reviewed bi-annually (February and August). Qualified applicants will be invited to discuss their applications with the SCRA Grant Review Committee with feedback and a final decision provided in within two weeks of a presentation. The application for the program can be accessed here.
Award Details
The SBIR/STTR Matching Grant Program awards matching funds to companies that have received a federal SBIR or STTR Phase I award. These grants are matched one to one, up to $50,000 per company or as designated in the current fiscal year matching grant program solicitation.
SC Launch PDF (Project Development Funding) Grants
(843) 760-3200
info@scra.org
Purpose of Initiative
The SC Launch program grows new technology companies in South Carolina and it attracts existing companies to the state. SC Launch invests its net revenues and an annual $6 million from the Industry Partnership Fund into qualified, South Carolina-based technology companies. Project Development Funding—or PDF—Grants are designed to assist for-profit, early-stage, technology-based commercial entities that are not sponsored by an academic institution.
Eligibility
Eligible companies include those that have been admitted to the SC Launch program. To be considered for this program, companies go through an extensive due diligence process and they must appear before the SC Launch Board of Directors for approval. SC Launch companies must reside in the state of South Carolina.
Application Process
Applications are reviewed on a monthly basis. Qualified applicants will be invited to discuss their application with the SCRA Grant Review Committee. Feedback and a final decision will be given in writing to the applicant company within two weeks of a presentation. The online application can be found via the SCRA website.
Award Details
A company may request and receive up to $15,000 in a 12-month period. A maximum of $25,000 can be awarded during a company’s lifetime. PDF Grants may be awarded to help defray the cost of business services such as legal, financial, marketing, and intellectual property protection. Grants may also further development efforts, including proof-of-concept studies, prototype development, clinical trials, technology demonstrations, or the funding may be used to better position the company for future growth and fundraising.
SC Launch Academic Start-Up Assistance Program (ASAP)
(843) 760-3200
info@scra.org
Purpose of Initiative
The SC Launch program grows new technology companies in South Carolina and it attracts existing companies to the state. SC Launch invests its net revenues and an annual $6 million from the Industry Partnership Fund into qualified, South Carolina-based technology companies. The Academic Start-Up Assistance Program (SAP) is for academic institution-sponsored commercial, for-profit, early-stage, technology companies.
Eligibility
Eligible companies include those that have been admitted to the SC Launch program. To be considered for this program, companies go through an extensive due diligence process and they must appear before the SC Launch Board of Directors for approval. SC Launch companies must reside in the state of South Carolina.
Application Process
Applications are reviewed monthly. Qualified applicants will be invited to discuss their applications with the SC Launch Team. Feedback and a final decision will be given in writing to the applicant company within two weeks of review. Applications are considered on a rolling basis; if an applicant is not awarded funds during the previous months’ review, they are still eligible to be considered during the following months’ reviews. The application for the program can be accessed through the website.
Award Details
The recommended budget limit is $15,000, but the company may request and receive up to $25,000, which is the maximum allowable amount for each company during its lifetime. Grant funding may be used to support proof-of-concept studies, prototype development, clinical trials, or protection of intellectual property (or other similar uses).
SC Launch Acceleration Grant Program
(843) 760-3200
info@scra.org
Purpose of Initiative
The SC Launch program grows new technology companies in South Carolina and it attracts existing companies to the state. SC Launch invests its net revenues and an annual $6 million from the Industry Partnership Fund into qualified, South Carolina-based technology companies. Acceleration Grants are awarded to South Carolina-based, for-profit, technology companies that are in early-stage development and need funding to further progress toward commercialization.
Eligibility
The company must be, or eligible to become, an SC Launch Client Company. Requirements for this designation can be reviewed here. The company must be incorporated in South Carolina or registered to conduct business as a foreign corporation in South Carolina as authorized by the Office of the Secretary of State. Individuals or sole proprietorships are not eligible.
Application Process
The Acceleration Grant Application can be found here. Qualified applicants will be invited to discuss their intentions with the SC Launch Team. Results of the review and a final decision will be provided in writing to the applicant company within two weeks of the company’s presentation to the team.
Award Details
A company may request a one-time award of up to $50,000. Companies that demonstrate the ability to provide matching funds will receive a preference.
Updated April 2018 by Rachel Werth
