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Office of Economic Engagement

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FAST Program

USC Office of Economic Engagement's Federal and State Technology (FAST) program provides technical assistance, education, and outreach to South Carolina small businesses.

FAST Program Goals

  • Increase the number of SBIR/STTR grant proposals from South Carolina companies
  • Increase the number of SBIR/STTR grant awards for women, socially/economically disadvantaged individuals, and small businesses in underrepresented areas throughout South Carolina 

How We Can Help

Education
  • Grow the pipeline of companies funded through SBIR/STTR grant awards
  • Increase collaborations among companies and other state and federally funded programs
  • Track data on grant proposals submitted and awards won by South Carolina companies
  • Highlight and connect SC business community to intellectual property, companies, and support partners
Technical and Business Assistance
  • Guide entrepreneurs and startups through idea development and entity formation.
  • Support startups through programs and services that improve proposal development and team creation
  • Provide assistance that leads to the commercialization of technology developed through SBIR/STTR grant funding
  • Encourage South Carolina mentoring networks to provide business advice and counseling
  • Identify high potential teams and applications
Outreach
  • Increase the pipeline of SBIR/STTR grant applicants through training and outreach
  • Connect to existing mentor networks to increase mentor support for small businesses
  • Develop a statewide network of resources to support growth of small businesses
  • Increase Follow-on Commercialization Funding

These efforts will help targeted firms successfully compete for early stage and SBIR/STTR grant funding as well as provide connectivity to follow-on funding from other capital sources.

Events

November 22 

Midlands Resource Partner Meeting - Richland County Library

Location: 1431 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Time: 9:30 am - 12:00 pm 

December 10

SCRA Greenville 

Location: Greenville

Time: TBD

December 17

SCRA Columbia

Location: Greenville

Time: TBD

What Can SBIR + STTR Funding Be Used For? 

  • Development of a proof of concept or prototype
  • Hiring of staff or subject-matter experts
  • Purchasing of materials and equipment
  • Funding Research partnerships between small business and universities
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This program is made possible with funding from the US Small Business Administration (SBA) to promote America’s Seed Fund: SBIR-STTR.

Learn More

 

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