Winthrop Announces Partnership with the SCRA to Launch Innovation Hub to Drive Tech Ecosystem Growth Across South Carolina (04/23/26)

HIGHLIGHTS

• Winthrop and the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) announced the launch of an innovation hub that will be housed at the Rock Hill-based university.

• Winthrop's innovation hub is one in the statewide network of hubs designed to accelerate investment and strengthen South Carolina's emerging technology ecosystem in key regions across the state.

ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA - Winthrop University and the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) announced the launch of an innovation hub that will be housed at the Rock Hill-based university. Winthrop's innovation hub is one in the statewide network of hubs designed to accelerate investment and strengthen South Carolina's emerging technology ecosystem in key regions across the state.

The new initiative will establish innovation hubs at Winthrop and in Columbia, Charleston, Greenville, Aiken and Florence. These hubs will be central regions for collaboration, resource sharing and support for high-potential tech companies as they grow from ideas to impactful enterprises. Winthrop's hub will handle York, Chester and Lancaster counties.

At the launch press conference, Winthrop President Edward Serna '02 said that the partnership is a perfect fit as the university has intentionally rolled out innovative, high-tech academic programs over the last few years that have included undergraduate degree programs in cybersecurity, FinTech, artificial intelligence, software engineering and supply chain logistics. "Today is a fantastic start to our long-term goal of Winthrop being a center of innovation and economic development for the region. We look forward to seeing all of the incredible ideas come to life through the help of this partnership," said Serna.

S.C. Governor Henry McMaster said that South Carolina has built a strong foundation for innovation, and the establishment of these innovation hubs is the next step in accelerating that momentum. "By connecting entrepreneurs with the resources they need, we will expand opportunity and keep our state competitive. These innovation hubs will play a critical role in strengthening our economy, creating jobs and ensuring South Carolina continues to lead the way in innovation," he said.

To jumpstart programming at these hubs, SCRA is making grant funding available to entrepreneurial support organizations (ESOs), beginning in May. Eligible non-profit ESOs, including accelerators, incubators, universities and industry associations, may apply for grants to develop and deliver targeted programming that helps early-state high-tech and high-growth companies accelerate their innovations.

"South Carolina's tech ecosystem is poised for significant growth, and these innovation hubs represent a strategic investment in our future," said SCRA Interim President and CEO Bill Kirkland. "By empowering local ESOs with funding to create high-impact programming, we are equipping entrepreneurs with the tools, networks and expertise they need to turn bold ideas into thriving companies that create high-quality jobs and drive economic prosperity across the state."

Grant funding will support a wide range of programming activities, including mentorship programs, pitch competitions, technical workshops, investor matchmaking events, and specialized training in areas such as product development, go-to-market strategies, fundraising and intellectual property. The goal is to create an environment where innovative companies can rapidly advance their technologies, attract follow-on investment, and scale operations within South Carolina.

This "hub" initiative builds on SCRA's long-standing mission to accelerate applied research, innovation and entrepreneurship throughout the state. By focusing on resources in six strategic markets, SCRA aims to ensure that communities across South Carolina benefit from a vibrant, interconnected tech economy.

"The South Carolina Research Authority's coordinated network of innovation hubs is another critical step forward for our emerging innovation ecosystem in South Carolina," said MUSC President David J. Cole, M.D., FACS. "These strategic ecosystem investments strengthen our commercialization pipeline, empower entrepreneurs and ensure that life-changing innovations developed at MUSC benefit patients, create jobs and drive South Carolina's knowledge economy forward."

The SCRA.org website contains guidelines, eligibility criteria and application instructions. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority given to proposals that demonstrate strong potential for measurable outcomes, including job creation, company formation and increased private investment. Interested applicants should contact [email protected].

For more information, please contact Judy Longshaw, news and media services manager, at [email protected].