SCRA: South Carolina Research Authority

Senex Biotechnology. Inc., an SC Launch Inc. Portfolio Company, and their colleagues at the University of South Carolina have authored a manuscript recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences discussing the role of Mediator kinases CDK8 and CDK19, in the growth of primary and metastatic tumors and prevention of drug resistance in triple negative breast cancer. Mediator Kinase Inhibitors?Suppress Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Growth and Extend Tumor Suppression by mTOR and AKT Inhibitors, PNAS 2024. ?? Read more: bit.ly/40XUnZs

ICYMI: SC Launch Inc. Portfolio Company Scientist was featured in Virginia Tech News.? ? “As a cancer biologist with more than 20 years of experience in the field, including key positions at several other biotech startups, Lamouille is well equipped for the task of producing therapeutic peptides that directly combat one of the biggest challenges in glioblastoma treatment. He was a principal scientist with Sarcotein Diagnostics and head of discovery at FirstString Research, the company that is now Xequel Bio," an SCRA Portfolio Company. ?? Read more: bit.ly/48Wc0e5

The end of the 2024 tax year presents an incredible opportunity to invest in the South Carolina Research Authority's free tax credit program, the Industry Partnership Fund (IPF). By contributing to the IPF, individuals and organizations can receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit from the state of South Carolina. This means you can redirect your hard-earned tax dollars from the SC Department of Revenue and instead support SCRA’s program, which helps strengthen the local economy. Your support is crucial in enabling SCRA to foster innovation across the state by providing grants to eligible companies within our program. This is not only an effective way to make a substantial impact but also a means of supporting one of South Carolina's fastest-growing sectors. Funding for member companies leads to tangible economic benefits and helps create new jobs. For questions or additional information, feel free to message us. ?? View SCRA’s impact: bit.ly/3Wt7AF7 ?? Contribute to SCRA’s tax credit program: bit.ly/3TNceO9

The SCRA team attended the SC Innovates Pitch Competition at the University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business today, and our very own Javon Jones, SCRA Investment Associate, and Mitch Smith, SCRA Senior Investment Manager, served as a judge. SCRA and the South Carolina Department of Commerce were the sponsors of this annual event that brings students from across the state together. Please join us in congratulating the winners listed below. ??First Place: Bluzon, Founder Julia Babun, from North Greenville University ??Second Place: HemoFlow, Founder Adam Neil, from Clemson University ??Third Place: ClimaPot, Founders Jack Williams, Helina Brown and Max Kudlov ?? Learn more about the SC Innovates Pitch Competition: bit.ly/4fJM9Io

Loanspark, a leader in business lending innovation, announced a strategic partnership with?Tax Titans, an SCRA Member Company and cutting-edge platform that connects taxpayers, gig workers, and small business owners with elite tax professionals. This strategic collaboration brings together Loanspark's BLaaS (Business Lending as a Service) with Tax Titans' competitive tax service marketplace, crafting a comprehensive financial and tax management solution tailored for SMBs. This synergistic partnership streamlines financial operations for small and medium-sized businesses and promotes compliance and growth through a blend of financial access and tax optimization. ?? Read more: bit.ly/3Z3nARh

In today’s digital age, when people scroll on social media for hours, often seeing negative news and content, there needs to be a space for positivity. Ryan Johnston, an ’03 Clemson University graduate, saw a need for this and decided to launch of company that would share positive, local news with his company 6AM City, an SC Launch Inc. Portfolio Company. ?? Read more: bit.ly/40K1xQX

Get peace of mind and ensure your tax dollars directly benefit the state's economy. The end of the 2024 tax year offers a remarkable chance to contribute to the South Carolina Research Authority's (SCRA's) free tax credit program, the Industry Partnership Fund (IPF). By contributing to the IPF, both individuals and organizations can secure a dollar-for-dollar tax credit from the state of South Carolina. Instead of sending your tax dollars to the SC Department of Revenue, you have the power to redirect them towards SCRA’s program, thereby boosting the local economy. Your support is vital in helping SCRA drive the state’s innovation economy through grants to eligible companies in our program. This is not only a simple way to make a significant impact but also a means to support one of the fastest-growing sectors in South Carolina. Funding for member companies leads to tangible economic benefits and helps create new jobs.? If you have questions or need more information, please message us directly. ?? Discover SCRA’s impact: bit.ly/3Wt7AF7 ?? Contribute to SCRA’s tax credit program: bit.ly/3TNceO9

Congratulations to?Clemson University, which?earned a STARS Silver rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education in recognition of its sustainability achievements. Thanks to a partnership with CarbonCents, an SC Launch Inc. Portfolio Company, the University community can view the report and track progress with a new interactive StarsBI dashboard. ?? Read more: bit.ly/3UOjWrP ?? View the dashboard: bit.ly/4elhDnf

?? Founders, don't miss the ColaStarts Pitch Night on Thursday at the Boyd Innovation Center in Columbia! ?? Hear Columbia's newest founders take the stage to pitch their startup ideas for the very first time at our next ColaStarts Pitch Night. ?? Learn more: https://lu.ma/7exnqyg4 #GrowCola Boyd Innovation Center, powered by GrowCo

Celebrating 75! A huge congratulations to the 75+ students who have worked with CarbonCents and CEVAC over the years! We’re proud of the hard work, passion, and innovation they’ve brought to the table. We hope those not still with us will find great success in their future careers and continue to make a positive impact in their fields. Thank you to all the students, and Clemson University, for making this such a successful program. Together, we’re driving real impact and setting the stage for a sustainable future. Scroll to see insights from two of our students, Sarah Wilson and Drew Emery. #InternshipSuccess #FutureLeaders