A Field of Dreams for Founders

“If you build it, they will come.” Yes, we just quoted “Field of Dreams.” But as we partner this month for the third annual #StartupGVL Night at the Greenville Drive, we’re reflecting on the profound impact of public-private partnerships. Legit teamwork. This is a community that literally goes to bat for its entrepreneurs and innovators.

You need support in order to take risks. We get it. When the Greenville Drive partnered with the City of Greenville to construct a ballpark in the undeveloped West End of downtown, there was debate. It was not a guaranteed homerun. At the groundbreaking Greenville City Councilwoman Lillian Flemming, who has represented the area for more than four decades, famously whispered to the Drive’s owner Craig Brown, “You know, this is bigger than baseball.”

Greenville's West End pictured in 2005 and 2023

She was right. Since opening day in 2006, the City reports 700+ new business licenses and $300+ million in new business sales within a half mile of Fluor Field. We built it. People came. It's your turn to take a swing.

#STARTUPGVL NIGHT

A celebration of Greenville’s entrepreneurs and innovators, #StartupGVL Night begins with a Village Launch Market in District 356 at 4 p.m. and an announcement of the area’s “10 Most Exciting Startups” at 5:30 p.m. The ten finalists will compete at NEXT Venture Summit in September. Entrepreneur support organizations, including Hill Institute, Upstate Warrior Solutions, Platform at Greer and City of Greenville will be on the concourse beginning at 6 p.m. when gates open for demonstrations, Q&A, and programming information. Stay for the ballgame starting at 7 p.m. and network with other founders.

CLAIM YOUR COMPLIMENTARY TICKET NOW USING THE PASSCODE "innovator"

Founders of Designli, a Greenville based product design firm.

14 area businessES make Inc. 5000 list

Greenville continues to make national waves in the startup world, this time by having 14 area companies named to the the Inc. 5000 list. The 2023 edition, released last week, is a list of the 5000 fastest-growing private companies in the United States. Companies from the Greenville area that made the list range in industry from food and beverage, software, business, IT services and more. Congratulations to the following companies for making the list: Purity Coffee, Palmetto Technology Group, Digitize Designs, Clear Touch, UCW Logistics, Take 5 Oil Change, Solutions ITW, Pintail, Firefly Solar, Air Compressor Services, Kester Search Group, Worthwhile, Tech24, and Designli.

More than half of SC’s 50 fastest growing companies from Greenville

Twenty-nine of South Carolina's 50 Fastest Growing Companies were released in August, and 29 of them are located in the Greenville area! Companies are measured by year-over-year growth in revenue and employee headcount for the past three years. This is the 22nd year the list has been released, complied by Integrated Media -- publisher of Greenville Business Magazine, Columbia Business Monthly and Charleston Business Magazine – in partnership with The Capital Corporation.

Three Greenville companies receive InnoVision Awards

Shout out to three Greenville-based companies who received InnoVision Awards for their advancements in innovation and technology. Kiyatec Inc., Open Broadband, LLC., and Zylö Therapeutics Inc. were recognized for their work, respectively, in technology development, community service, and technology application. Established in 1999, InnoVision is a grassroots, volunteer-led non-profit organization dedicated to finding innovation and technology in products, services and education from across South Carolina.

Greenville startups in Site Selection Magazine

“Opportunities arise. Connections are forged. Destinations are everywhere you look. And the journeys to them are worth taking.”
We’re kind of in love with this story in by Adam Bruns from Site Selection Magazine, touting the glories of the Upstate and summing up what #StartupGVL is all about. From founders to resources, so many familiar faces appear in this piece! It’s a story you’ve got to read.

Concept of Real Motors electric motorcycle

NEXT venture summit match day

Startups seeking out investors really ought to register for Match Day before the August 25 deadline. Don’t miss your chance to connect with potential investors in a speed-dating-like environment. This is an invite-only part of the summit, so get your application in now.

REGISTER FOR MATCH DAY

From kindergarten to college, students have headed back to class for a new school year. We can’t help but wonder how many are dreaming of becoming entrepreneurs? A lot. According to a study by ZenBusiness, a whopping 82% of students surveyed say they are better suited to start their own business than choose a traditional career path. Meet one of those young founders at #StartupGVL night at the Drive. Pink Fluffy Popcorn will be among the vendors on District 356 at Village Launch Market from 4 to 8 p.m.

One of the owners of Pink Fluffy Popcorn stand proudly next to their booth.