![](https://i0.wp.com/startupgvl.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/0pcNSeYSTb20UqqGChYn_IMG_7456_or.jpeg?fit=800%2C800&ssl=1)
Village Launch Market Back for Fourth Season
The Village Launch Market returns to West Greenville this Saturday, May 4, continuing its support for women- and minority-owned startups.
Chargepoint, a global provider of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, opened its doors in downtown Greenville this week, making the city its first location on the East Coast.
Operating throughout North America and in 16 European markets, Chargepoint’s decision to anchor its first East Coast facility in Greenville’s West End helps them keep pace with automakers who have pledged to go all-electric by 2030.
From here, ChargePoint also makes it easier for Greenville to become more eco-friendly, by deploying electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure to meet the needs of the city’s rapidly growing market. The company has 1,700 global employees, with the new office bringing 12 new jobs to Greenville, with plans to grow their team soon.
Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette personally welcomed Chargepoint at the grand opening event on December 15. “You made a great choice,” Evette said, “Industries from all over the globe are focusing on South Carolina.”
Vice President of Fleet Solutions Richard Mohr said Chargepoint has committed to providing the best and most efficient EV-charging experience to its consumers.
“We couldn’t be more excited to be in Greenville and in South Carolina,” Mohr said. “This is a great place to work and live and play. It’s very business-friendly, and it’s been nothing but a pleasure to interact with all of the businesses in Greenville.”
Since its inception in 2007, Chargepoint’s technology has saved more than 900,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. The company won multiple awards for environmental achievement from the United Nations and Climate Change Business Journal, and became the first EV-charging provider to be ENERGY STAR® certified.
ChargePoint’s new office is contributing to a statewide investment in EV. In October, BMW announced a commitment of $1.7 billion for electric vehicle production in the Upstate. Its investment includes plans to build six electric X models by 2030 and a high-voltage battery assembly facility in Woodruff.
Governor Henry McMaster also has committed to implementing South Carolina’s investment in EV infrastructure. In October, he signed an executive order that prioritizes recruiting EV-related businesses through training the state’s workforce and establishing a “one-stop shop” at the SC Department of Commerce for interested businesses.
The Village Launch Market returns to West Greenville this Saturday, May 4, continuing its support for women- and minority-owned startups.
A new live music venue will bring tunes and investment to Greenville’s West End.
Innovation, imagination and professionalism were on full display this week at Paladin Pitch participants at Furman University.