Here in StartupGVL, we have a thriving ecosystem of Entrepreneurial Support Organizations (ESO) dedicated to taking founders from dreamer to doer to world changer.
It's all part of our believe in collaboration, cooperation and coordination of resources to help you succeed.
Explore our ecosystem based on your startups needs by hovering over each resource and see who can help you thrive today. Or download your own copy of the map to easily share offline.
Imagining
Every startup journey begins with an idea. Whether you're filling a niche or disrupting an global industry, StartupGVL has resource partners to help you organize your thoughts into a clear business strategy.
Networking
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#StartupGVL Launchpad
#StartupGVL Launchpad
#StartupGVL Launchpad, first introduced in 2022, is an event designed to showcase, celebrate and help launch Greenville's up-and-coming early-stage businesses. Each year, NEXT puts out an open call to all Upstate entrepreneurs to apply for and compete in this unique event, with the hopes they could win valuable support to expand or launch their business.
Find out more about #StartupGVL Launchpad -
Advantage Greenville
Advantage Greenville
The Hill Institute at Furman presents its Advantage GVL series – providing a forum for thought leadership and honest conversations around innovation and entrepreneurship. The events usually feature a panel of experts participating in a lively discussion about topics relevant to startups and entrepreneurship.
Learn more about Advantage Greenville -
Beer and Napkins
Beer and Napkins
Beer & Napkis is an organization brewing an idea revolution by encouraging conversations, connections, and diverse thinking methods in an informal grassroots environment.
Learn more about Beer and Napkins -
Flywheel Cafe
Flywheel Cafe
Flywheel Café is a gathering of founders, investors and the entrepreneurial ecosystem to celebrate our growing community. Participants are encouraged to enjoy a beer while listening to local successful entrepreneurs discuss their journeys, share advice, and answer questions from the crowd.
Learn more about Flywheel Cafe -
Flywheel Tech Slam n' Eggs
Flywheel Tech Slam n' Eggs
Tech Slam N' Eggs is a peer-to-peer event for the developer community. In this morning session, lead developers will lift the hood on their tech stack and discuss discoveries, insights and problems they overcame. This event is designed exclusively for the software developer community. This is NOT a pitch event, but rather a collaborative atmosphere for developers to innovate and connect.
Learn more about Tech Slam n Eggs -
Flywheel Pitch Space
Flywheel Pitch Space
Pitch-Space Live is a hybrid event, both in-person and virtual, to help founders engage with investors. The event is open to the public and held every other month featuring presentations by an early-stage, seed-stage, and growth-stage company. Following each pitch, a panel of investors will provide feedback to the founders, and the event will then open up to an audience Q&A roundtable.
Learn more about Flywheel Pitch Space -
i4 Series
i4 Series
i4Series networking events are designed to bring together diverse, yet like-minded individuals who want to learn about innovative business trends while networking with professionals from various industries across the spectrum of experience.
Learn more aobut i4 Series -
InnoVision Awards
InnoVision Awards
InnoVision Awards, established in 1999, is South Carolina's premier organization dedicated to the advancement of innovation and technology. InnoVision is the only program of its kind – a grass-roots, volunteer-led non-profit organization made up of businesses, organizations, universities, and individuals dedicated to finding innovation and technology in products, services, and education from across the state, and recognizing and honoring peers for achievements in their respective fields.
Learn more about the InnoVision Awards -
NEXT Venture Summit
NEXT Venture Summit
NEXT Upstate's signature event serves to supercharge the entrepreneurial community with educational content from industry experts, connect companies to fundraising firms, and offer high-quality networking opportunities for attendees. The event begins with an Investor Match Day, connecting high-growth companies with investors in a speed-dating environment, followed by the Summit Conference on day two with world-class keynote speakers and a showcase of exciting startups.
Learn more about NEXT Venture Summit -
Platform at Greer - Huddle
Platform at Greer - Huddle
This monthly, in-person coaching event features tailored topics from subject matter experts. The event is presented by the Platform at Greer, an Entrepreneurship Program located in Greer, SC assisting aspiring entrepreneurs through community of collaborators and resources.
Learn more about The Platform at Greer -
Platform at Greer - Ignite
Platform at Greer - Ignite
Ignite is a monthly event that empowers business owners with the tools and resources they need to break down barriers and build meaningful connections. Each month, entrepreneurs share their successes, lessons, resources, and roadblocks in a presentation series held on the fourth Wednesday from 8:30-9:30am.
Learn more about Ignite -
Tech After Five
Tech After Five
Tech After Five is a series of after hours networking events for Tech Entrepreneurs and Professionals. The sponsor supported events are free to attend for qualifying professionals and entrepreneurs. In person events are held monthly.
Learn more about Tech After Five -
Ten at the Top
Ten at the Top
The mission of Ten at the Top is to foster trust and collaboration through partnerships and cooperation that impacts economic vitality and quality of life across Upstate South Carolina.
Learn more about Ten at the Top
Concept
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CommunityWorks: Women's Business Center
CommunityWorks: Women's Business Center
CommunityWorks is a non-profit organization that provides financial services to low-income and underserved communities in South Carolina. They offer a variety of programs and services, including small business loans, down payment assistance, community development loans, and financial education. CommunityWorks is committed to creating a brighter future for financially underserved people and places in South Carolina.
Learn more about CommunityWorks -
SBDC (Small Business Development Center)
SBDC (Small Business Development Center)
The SBDC is a subsidiary of the U.S. Small Business Administration which is a United States government agency that provides support to entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Learn more about SBDC -
SCORE Piedmont
SCORE Piedmont
SCORE Piedmont is a team of over 40 volunteers here to help entrepreneurs start a new business or grow an existing one. Part of a national network of small business mentors providing resources and education that foster thriving communities.
Learn more about SCORE Piedmont
Training
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Build Carolina
Build Carolina
Build Carolina is the only 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in South Carolina focused on advancing the state's technology community and tech talent ecosystem. With an aspirational vision of a thriving, accessible tech talent ecosystem, Build Carolina provides resources for employers; job training for people seeking employment; and programs for upskilling. The organization currently runs three programs in support of this mission: Develop Carolina, Carolina Code School, and SC Codes.
Learn more about Build Carolina -
Greenville Technical College
Greenville Technical College
Greenville Technical College (GTC) is a valuable resource for the growing workforce and aspiring entrepreneurs in Greenville. The college offers a wide range of programs and courses that prepare students for in-demand careers in fields such as healthcare, manufacturing, information technology, and business.
Learn more about Greenville Technical College
Establishing
A great idea needs to be shared with the world, and that's what these StartupGVL partners can help you accomplish. Gain exposure with the help of these organizations and their various programs designed to launch your business to new heights.
University Support
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Clemson University - Spiro Institute
Clemson University - Spiro Institute
The mission of Arthur M. Spiro Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership is to provide educational, research, and service programs and career enhancement opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs to foster lifelong, personal development.
Learn more about the Sprio Institute -
Furman University - Hill Institute
Furman University - Hill Institute
The Hill Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship helps aspiring entrepreneurs and founders launch social and entrepreneurial ventures.
Learn more about the Hill Institute -
University of South Carolina Upstate
University of South Carolina Upstate
The University of South Carolina Upstate is a public university in Valley Falls, South Carolina, near Spartanburg. The university houses the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at USC Upstate's George Dean Johnson, Jr. College of Business and Economics, providing resources to aspiring student entrepreneurs across all academic disciplines.
Learn more about USC Upstate's Center
Programs
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GVL Starts
GVL Starts
GVL Starts is a part of Furman's the Hill Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and is designed to take startups turn ideas into Greenville's next high-impact venture. Through educational workshops, networking and resource facilitation, entrepreneurs can get their business ventures a jump start.
Learn more about GVL Starts -
The Platform at Greer
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The Platform at Greer
The Platform at Greer is an Entrepreneurship Program located in Greer, SC, designed to help entrepreneurs through a community of collaborators and resources.
Learn more about the Platform at Greer -
Village Launch
Village Launch
Village Launch exists to equip under-resourced entrepreneurs to become providers, creators, and producers in their own communities. The organization's mission is to transform communities by providing business training, mentorship, and visibility to potential customers. Villiage Launch's programs current focus is on minority and women owned startups with connections to the Westside Communities (West Greenville, West End, and Southernside) in Greenville, SC.
Learn more about Village Launch
Market Introduction
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Clemson University Research Foundation (CURF)
Clemson University Research Foundation (CURF)
The Clemson University Research Foundation's (CURF) primary mission is to advance the research enterprise through support of Clemson University faculty and students engaged in research to introduce them to respective industry partners. The foundation works to connect Clemson University to external opportunities for research collaboration with the intent of creating a sustainable model of collaborative industry sponsored research feeding back into the university research enterprise.
Learn more about CURF -
Greenville Chamber Minority Business Accelerator
Greenville Chamber Minority Business Accelerator
The Minority Business Accelerator supports and scales high-potential minority-owned firms by providing targeted training, access to business coaches, and access to large corporations. Participants leave the program with a three-year Strategic Growth Action Plan to guide their development.
Learn more about the Minority Business Accelerator -
NEXT
NEXT
NEXT is an entrepreneur support organization with a vision for Greenville to be the leading voice and shining example as the top choice among founders, mentors, investors and the talent required to launch and scale a business. NEXT's goal is to connect innovative entrepreneurs to a rich network of support and to provide education and opportunities for growth.
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Upstate Warrior Solution
Upstate Warrior Solution
Upstate Warrior Solution is a community-based, nonprofit organization serving warriors and their families in the Upstate of South Carolina. Since 2013, the organization has served nearly 9,000 warriors and their families with housing, employment, healthcare, education, family support, and more.
Learn more about Upstate Warrior Solution
Specialized Space
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Chapel GVL
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Chapel GVL
Chapel GVL is a 40,000 ft office, event, and restaurant space in the heart of the Poe Mill community in downtown Greenville, South Carolina-built for neighbors, entrepreneurs and the underestimated.
Learn more about Chapel GVL -
Endeavor Greenville Workspaces
Endeavor Greenville Workspaces
Endeavor is a shared workspace organization providing entrepreneurs and business teams with the tools to excel, from networking opportunities to top-notch technology and state-of-the-art meeting space to impress clients.
Learn more about Endeavor Greenville -
Imagine Kitchen
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Imagine Kitchen
Imagine Kitchen is a co-working space in Greer whose purpose and passion is to offer a professional, SCDHEC permitted and Department of Agriculture approved kitchen for rent where chefs, bakers, and maker entrepreneurs can launch and grow their business.
Learn more about Imagine Kitchen -
Kings Collective
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Kings Collective
Kings Collective is a coworking space, photo studio, and sound stage for video and photography in Greenville, SC. Kings Collective believes everyone has a unique story that deserves to be heard, and they dedicate themselves to this by providing a limitless photography and videography space equipped with the best gear on the market to achieve a creative vision.
Learn more about Kings Collective -
NEXT Manufacturing
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NEXT Manufacturing
NEXT Manufacturing is a state-of-the-art facility that thrives on innovation and collaboration. Its residents are best and brightest of the manufacturing world, from young start-ups to well established companies. With flexible, short-term leases and an unprecedented support system, NEXT Manufacturing will do everything they can to find you a place to manufacture.
Learn more about NEXT Manufacturing -
Social House
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Social House
Social House is a hybrid work and lounge space in the heart of downtown Greenville, SC. The no contract memberships include 24/7 access to a 5000 square foot of cozy lounge and multi-purpose work and play space, located in the beautiful downtown Greenville right on the Swamp Rabbit Trail beside Unity Park.
Learn more about Social House -
SynergyMill
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SynergyMill
Synergy Mill is a co-working space where people can paint, saw, weld, create, build, and make some noise and dust. Collaborating on ideas, lending a helping hand, and having plain old fun are benefits this 501c3 organization touts as part of its friendly, capable, and generally awesome communuty.
Learn more about SynergyMill
Seed Stage Capital
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Appalachian Development Corporation
Appalachian Development Corporation
The Appalachian Development Corporation (ADC) has been a lending partner to businesses in South Carolina since 1982. The ADC was organized to further economic development, job creation and retention while financially assisting in the growth and development of businesses.
Learn more about ADC -
CommunityWorks
CommunityWorks
CommunityWorks opened its doors in 2008 as Greenville Housing Fund, a local housing trust fund created from a partnership between the United Way of Greenville County, Greenville County Redevelopment Authority, and The City of Greenville. Since then, the organization has grown into a diverse Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), helping to build brighter futures for underserved families and communities all across South Carolina.
Learn more about CommunityWorks -
South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA)
South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA)
SCRA is a public, non-profit corporation chartered in 1983 by the State of South Carolina and works to support entrepreneurs and technology startups that are on a strong growth track through grant funding, coaching, and investing via SCRA's investment affiliate, SC Launch Inc.
Learn more about the SCRA -
VentureSouth
VentureSouth
VentureSouth is an early-stage venture firm that provides capital and expertise to Southeastern startups through our angel investment network and funds.
Learn more about VentureSouth -
Vicinity Capital
Vicinity Capital
Vicinity offers accessible, highly-vetted investment opportunities that broaden your portfolio and benefit your community.
Learn more about Vicinity
Co-Working
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Atlas Local
Atlas Local
Atlas Local is a Greenville based co-working space nestled inside Brandon Mill at 25 Draper Street, Greenville SC. The space offers access to various workspace and amenities in a relaxed setting.
Learn more about Atlas Local -
Bellamore
Bellamore
Bellamore is a co-working space striving to create a smarter way for local, independent, start-up and remote businesses to operate day to day. Their space was renovated in 2020 and is designed to create a professional space for founders to be productive through a variety of rental and leasing options.
Learn more about Bellamore -
Crescent Startup Community
Crescent Startup Community
Crescent Startup Community, a large-scale mixed-use Innovation District providing a dedicated space for startups, entrepreneurs, and the development of innovative ideas and research.
Learn more about Crescent -
Eleos Co-op
Eleos Co-op
Eleos Co-op is a co-working space housed in a restored former night club in the Nicholtown neighborhood of Greenville, designed to create a space for area professionals to conduct business and build community.
Learn more about Eleos -
Nectar Community
Nectar Community
Nectar Community offers women in the SC Upstate a place to co-work, to connect and collaborate, to learn new skills, to deepen their relationships, and belong to a community that believes that self care is often deepened and nourished through community care.
Learn more about Nectar -
NEXT Innovation Center
NEXT Innovation Center
Greenville's NEXT facilities provide flexible office space options for innovative companies, entrepreneurs, and technology companies.
Learn more about the NEXT Innovation Center -
Openworks
Openworks
Openworks is a co-working space in the middle of downtown Greenville focused on starting and sustaining good work.
Learn more about Openworks -
Rupert Huse Veteran Center
Rupert Huse Veteran Center
Through the Rupert Huse Veteran Center (RHVC), veterans, first responders, and their families gain direct access to warrior-centric tenants and broader access to Upstate Warrior Solution's network of community partners. Located at 770 Pelham Road in Greenville, South Carolina, this one-stop shop enables warriors to easily connect with the resources and services they need to thrive.
Learn more about RHVC -
Venture X Greenville
Venture X Greenville
Venture X Greenville – Plush Mills is a modern coworking space offering its members a shared, flexible workspace with a community of like-minded business professionals.
Learn more about VentureX
Growing
Startups need capital, and no one understands that better than these ESOs. Learn how you can ramp up your operations by finding financial backing for your fast growing business.
Early Stage Capital
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Abundance Capital
Abundance Capital
Abundance Capital is a non-profit, venture philanthropy platform based with the mission of helping charitable donors activate place-based impact investing across the South. Abundance Capital helps donors make impact investments by providing them with a platform to pool their resources and invest in businesses, nonprofits, and projects that are making a difference in their communities.
Learn more about Abundance Capital -
Cultivation Capital
Cultivation Capital
Cultivation Capital is a venture capital firm that manages a family of funds focused on early-stage investing. Most of their initial investments are during a startup's Seed or Series A phase, and our initial checks range from $100k – $3.5M. Their industries of focus include life sciences and health tech, software and IT, agriculture tech, and geospatial tech.
Learn more about Cultivation Capital -
SC Launch
SC Launch
SC Launch Inc. is the investment affiliate of SCRA. SC Launch Inc. supports advanced technology and technology-based businesses with seed and follow-on capital to supplement funding from other sources, such as venture capital firms, strategic investors, angel investment groups, individual investors, and private equity firms.
Learn more about SC Launch
Scaling
You've established a solid book of business, but now it's time to think bigger. These ecosystem partners are here to help you scale startup, taking your things to a whole new level.
Expansion Resources
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City of Greenville Economic Development
City of Greenville Economic Development
The City of Greenville's Economic Development Department promotes a variety of activities and programs designed to obtain a healthy balance of strategic economic growth and improved quality of life.
Learn more about the City's Economic Development -
Greenville Area Development Corps (GADC)
Greenville Area Development Corps (GADC)
The Greenville Area Development Corporation (GADC) is a non-profit organization that was founded by Greenville County Council. The GADC is the economic development arm of Greenville County. Their mission is to improve the quality of life for Greenville County citizens by facilitating job growth and investment from new and existing companies.
Learn more about the GADC -
Greenville Local Development Corp (GLDC)
Greenville Local Development Corp (GLDC)
The Greenville Local Development Corporation can offer a variety of financial assistance to key development projects and growing companies. Ranging from business loans to grants, financial support is carefully considered and distributed on a case-by-case basis.
Learn more about GLDC -
Greenville Chamber
Greenville Chamber
The mission of the Greenville Chamber is to lead, convene and mobilize the business community to drive regional economic growth.
Learn more about the Greenville Chamber -
SC Department of Commerce
SC Department of Commerce
From assisting with the location of new sites and buildings to offering grants for community development and infrastructure improvement, the South Carolina Department of Commerce is here to help grow new and existing businesses.
Learn more about SC Commerce -
SCBIO
SCBIO
A statewide, not-for-profit, public/private life sciences industry association and economic development organization formed to actively promote, build, support, expand, and convene South Carolina's life sciences industry.
Learn more about SCBIO -
Upstate Alliance
Upstate Alliance
The Upstate SC Alliance's mission is to help businesses expand in the upstate region. They do this through strategic marketing, collaboration, and thought leadership. Investors in the Upstate SC Alliance have access to events that provide insight into the economy, business trends, and the region's economic development assets.
Learn more about the Upstate Alliance
Growth Capital
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Azalea Capital
Azalea Capital
Azalea Capital stands out as a private equity firm dedicated to supporting lower middle-market companies in the Southeastern United States. Their mission is clear: to offer financial backing and share their extensive knowledge with entrepreneurs, management teams, and family-owned businesses.
Learn more about Azalea Capital -
Ranger Aerospace
Ranger Aerospace
Ranger Aerospace is a private equity management holding company with a laser focus on aerospace operations. Their expertise lies in collaborating with institutional investors to acquire, enhance, and elevate companies within the aviation services industry. Their primary objective is to nurture and expand profitable, top-tier enterprises across various segments of the aviation service sector.
Learn more about Ranger Aerospace -
Route 2 Capital Partners
Route 2 Capital Partners
Route 2 Capital Partners (R2CP) is a private investment firm based in Greenville, South Carolina. Since its establishment in 2017, R2CP has specialized in providing mezzanine and equity capital to lower middle market companies, primarily in the southern United States.
Learn more about Route 2 Capital
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