Power Up Spartanburg and Founders Network, in partnership with the SC Department of Commerce, present Power Up Thru Innovation—a morning designed to energize, equip, and connect Spartanburg’s entrepreneurial minds with what matters most right now: real tools, real stories, and real connections to fuel the next big move.

Focus: Small business owners will gain practical insights on how to stop wondering whether to use A.I. and start learning how to leverage it to their advantage.

Featured Sessions

Keynote: AI for Small Business – What’s Real, What Works, What’s Next
Presented by Gary Shiffman, a nationally recognized entrepreneur, professor, and CEO of Giant Oak, a data analytics company focused on combating illicit violence and financial crime. Shiffman specializes in AI-driven solutions for small business growth, security, and scale. He will break it all down into actionable insights that attendees can apply immediately—offering clarity, not confusion, on how smart small businesses are already using AI and what’s next to stay ahead of the curve.

Panel: Homegrown Small Businesses
Local Spartanburg business owners will share how they have taken the leap, adapted to change, and found success within the community. Attendees will hear what worked, what didn’t, and how they can take their own next step.

Key Takeaways

• A clear understanding of how to use AI in business

• Real-world advice from local small business owners

• Energy, confidence, and clarity for the next move