Hear from seasoned women leaders and professionals. Join us for a day of learning, empowerment and networking!

As a CEO, entrepreneur, or executive of a small to mid-sized company, tapping into the wealth of R&D resources and innovations created by the research enterprise at Clemson University could be the key to unlocking new opportunities for your business. Clemson University Research Foundation (CURF) focuses on increasing industry engagement and commercialization opportunities of Clemson's intellectual property portfolio. They can help you navigate the extensive research enterprise to address your specific R&D needs.

Wow, I can't believe there are only 5 tickets remaining for Founders Weekend presented by Chase® Ink® next month! I am so excited for all the amazing connections and learning that will happen.

We have such an incredible lineup of panels, keynotes, and educational sessions planned, led by some of the most inspiring and successful women business owners out there.

The North Charleston Business Expo showcases regional companies and offers the business community a rare opportunity to network with 175+ exhibitors and over 500 attendees.

With prime booth spaces available, this is your chance to showcase your products and services to a diverse audience of industry professionals, potential clients, and decision-makers. Don't miss out on this unparalleled opportunity to elevate your brand and expand your business horizons.

Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to be creative or have a magical 'aha' moment to find a great startup idea. In reality, anyone can come up with innovative business ideas by following a structured process. On this live event, Jonathan Greechan (Co-Founder & CEO of Founder Institute) will share a framework for crafting great startup ideas that he has learned from working with over 10K startups worldwide. Then, attendees will have the opportunity to share their ideas, get feedback from others, and meet aspiring entrepreneurs interested in their space. If you have rough ideas and don't know what to do next, this is the event to attend!

Join us to discover how open innovation bridges the gap between startups and corporates. We'll explore global challenges and spotlight two major initiatives: the GAEA program, aimed at driving energy autonomy innovations in Europe, and the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator, which fosters digital transformation partnerships. Learn how these initiatives empower innovators and idea holders to refine their concepts, navigate the entrepreneurial landscape, and unlock new funding opportunities for corporate collaboration and growth.

SCORE has partnered with Truist to bring you information on why businesses borrow, where to turn for funding, and how the lending process works to help get you to a smoother, smarter, and often more successful outcome. The webinar will be led by Ann Luke, Senior Vice President, and Zack Sink, Small Business Lending Product Manager, at Truist and will include a Q&A session. Attendees will receive a workbook after the event.

The federal government is one of the world’s largest spenders. If you want to do business with the Federal Government, you need to be registered with SAM.gov (System of Award Management) and learn how to navigate the system.

What You will learn:

1. Entity Registration - Getting Started
2. Review of the Domains
   1. Contract Opportunities
   2. Assistance Listings
   3. Entity Information
   4. Federal Hierarchy
   5. Wage Determinations
3. Federal Service Desk (Help Desk)

Presenter: Scott Poole, Government Contracting Specialist, SC SBDC

Welcome to the Increasing H.O.P.E monthly orientation! Our monthly orientation is a chance for you to get to know us and the services we can offer to you at NO COST! Our mission is to create financial freedom and stability for families in South Carolina by building assets through financial education and training!

Course: Cohesion Culture™ Be A Leader Cohesion Culture™ Camp is a Leadership Development Program that guides emerging and seasoned leaders to thrive in a workspace that promotes belonging, value, and shared mutual commitment. The Do-It-Yourself course is self-paced and can be easily completed over a five-week period. It is designed to help people, like you, regardless of title, task, or tenure create cultures of cohesion that promote belonging, value, and commitment.

Learn from the pros, Dr. Troy Hall, Talent Retention Expert and Performance Coach, and Ben-Jamin Toy, Team Building Expert through over 2-hours of instructional video, worksheets, activities, and weekly challenges.

This course is supplemented with four one-hour weekly Cohort Training sessions designed to ask questions and further discuss the topics of learning in the previous week. The program ends with a three-hour in-person Wrap Up session that builds upon the leadership habits the participants plan to implement within their businesses.

Learn How to Select a Franchise

What considerations should you consider before beginning your research?

• * Personal Financial Capabilities?
• * General Characteristics of Desire Franchise
• * Honest assessment of Your Greatest Strengths & Skills and Likes & Dislikes

Where do you go to find what franchises are available?

How do you evaluate the franchise?

What to Ask the Franchisor?

What to Ask the Franchisee?

BRAND NEW IN 2024!

Companies and educational leaders with gather in person to network and share best practices for cultivating and retaining talent in South Carolina life sciences. Each regional event will feature a guest speaker from a company that has found success in developing its workforce.

Attendees will walk away with applicable tips to engage employees, successfully recruit interns and young professionals, and secure a lasting talent pipeline for years to come.

Every startup's success hinges on a well-crafted go-to-market strategy. At this live online event, we unlock the secrets to defining and reaching your target market effectively. You'll gain insights into identifying your ideal customer, crafting a value proposition that resonates, and deploying marketing tactics that convert. If you're determined to accelerate your startup's journey from concept to market leader, this event is your stepping stone.

We’ll gather together for a morning of networking and inspiration, featuring SCbio Members with empowering and insightful stories. Attendees will leave feeling inspired to continue our work to better the health of South Carolina citizens and beyond.

This webinar is designed for business owners who are interested in learning more about exporting and new markets. The webinar will cover:1. Overview of the Export Process2. How to Become Export-Ready3. The Export Business Plan and Financial Forecast4. The STEP grant5. Using the SBA Export Express Loan/Line-of-Credit to finance operations International trade assists a business owner with growing their business through diversification in customer, geography, seasonality, and product mix. SC SBDC Certified Global Business Professionals (CGBP) assist business owners with all aspects of the export process. Come see why new markets can work for you!

Elevate your small business in the Lowcountry with our exclusive Lunch & Learn session on mastering the art of marketing. Join us for an insightful afternoon where you'll uncover the secrets to effectively promote your business, connect with your target audience, and cultivate a strong brand presence in South Carolina's dynamic market.

Key Topics Include:

• Crafting Your Unique Brand Story
• Digital Marketing Strategies
• Local Marketing Tactics
• Budget-Friendly Marketing Solutions
• Measuring Marketing Success

Have you ever thought about starting your own business? There's never been a better time! But with so many people jumping into the startup scene, it's getting harder to grab investors' attention and get customers interested. That's where we come in. Join our event to learn simple yet powerful ways to make your startup stand out. We'll talk about what catches an investor's eye, common early mistakes to dodge, and what you should do before even thinking about creating your product. After the talk, stick around for a networking session with other startup founders just like you. Get ready to make your startup more appealing, step by step.

In this course, you will learn key elements of business finance basics to manage your cash flow, explore ways to expand your business and understand insurance for your business.

Miranda Teague from Truist Bank will facilitate the session and will provide valuable take-away resources to help you and your business.

Agenda:

• Improve the cash flow of your business
• Continue to build and expand your business
• Protect your business

This webinar will cover the various types of business entities, benefits and drawbacks when it comes to taxes, liability, ability to obtain bank loans, ease of creation, and management and provide information to help you select the business structure that is right for you.

Do you want to start your own technology company, but don't know where to begin? You are not alone. Every day millions of people go to jobs they don't enjoy, but few do something about it. At the "Employee to Entrepreneur" event, you can hear the stories, tips, and best practices of those who left their jobs to pursue their own startup company. Listen to the experiences of people just like you who have made the transition, and discuss any questions or concerns that you have. Afterward, attendees will have an opportunity to network with other aspiring entrepreneurs and share their ideas for feedback.

To launch a great startup, it is critical to get feedback on your ideas from entrepreneurs who have been there and done that. First, you'll learn the best practices for creating a concise and compelling elevator pitch. Then, you will have the opportunity to share your pitch with other entrepreneurs, advisors, and investors at virtual tables for instant feedback. Even if you don't want to share your pitch, you can still join to hear other startup ideas and witness how the experts review a pitch.

In this course, you'll learn the "why" and "how" of separating your business and personal finances that can set you and your business up for success.

Miranda Teague from Truist Bank will facilitate the session and will provide valuable take-away resources to help you and your business.

Agenda:

• Why separate personal and business finances?
• How to set and refresh business goals.
• How to pay yourself.
• Business structure and organization.
• How to organize your finances.
• Financial accounts and tools.

Emergencies can strike at any time and any place.
Emergencies vary from a fire in a business to a major hurricane even a worldwide pandemic.
Business Owners should be prepared with spring and summer storms and an active hurricane season on the horizon.

The time to prepare is NOW!

What you will learn:

• What steps should you take to prepare your business before a disaster strikes?
• What training do your employees need so that your business will survive a disaster?
• How should you communicate with your customers before and after a disaster?
• How can the SBDC help a small business owner recover from a disaster?

Are you a startup seeking to incorporate AI into your product? Wondering how AI startups ensure safety and compliance? Dive into the fast-paced realm of AI with us! Join our event to uncover real-life examples and learn practical steps to make your AI startup safer, more reliable, and compliant. Don't miss this chance to navigate the dynamic landscape of AI innovation!

Interested in joining the delegation? Learn more. Email SCbio Marketing Director Connor Watkins to reserve your place.

Join SCbio and other SC life sciences leaders to represent the state at the annual BIO International Convention in San Diego, California from June 3-6. This is the world’s largest industry gathering, bringing together thousands of global biotechnology and biopharmaceutical leaders with whom you will want to make connections.

South Carolina’s large exhibit booth in the Pavilion will be your central location where you can meet and do business with key decision-makers, while also showcasing the achievements of the industry in the Palmetto State.

The greatest variable in the success or failure of a startup is the Founder, especially at the earliest stages. Join us at our live online event to discover what makes a successful entrepreneur. We will be sharing insights from 15 years of startup research that lead to startup success. Do not miss this chance to learn how to develop these traits and hear stories of entrepreneurial achievements.

In this course, you will learn why businesses borrow, where to turn for funding, and how the lending process works to get you to a smoother, smarter, and often more successful outcome.

Miranda Teague from Truist Bank will facilitate the session and will provide valuable take-away resources to help you and your business.

Agenda:

• Why businesses need funds
• Where to find funding
• How to select the right type of financing
• What lenders look for
• The borrowing process
• How to create your business borrowing profile
• Next steps after a financing decision

Do you want to ask questions to startup investors about fundraising in a friendly, judgment-free environment? Are you looking to raise funding in the future, and want to learn what investors look for and how they evaluate potential investments? Then join us for this live, interactive Q&A event featuring VC's and other investors from our FI Venture Network - the Founder Institute's global network of investors actively funding early-stage startups. Don't miss this opportunity to expand your network and ask in-depth questions.

Are you interested in starting your own business or nonprofit? If so, the STEPS TO STARTING A BUSINESS course is right for you. In this course, offered via Zoom, you will learn all about start-up funding, financial tools, business plan essentials, marketing considerations, and more.

Assets, equity, and liabilities. Are you recording, assessing, and communicating financial transactions correctly in order to understand the financial health of your business? Do you or your accountant keep track of expenses, profits, and losses? What is the difference between cash and accrual? Join this one-hour, free webinar hosted by the SC SBDC and learn basic accounting practices to ensure the financial health of your business.

What you will learn:

• Bookkeeping best practices
• How to maintain tax records
• The purpose of a balance sheet
• The purpose of a P & L Statement and how it relates to the balance sheet
• Explanation of accounts payable and accounts receivable
• Other essential accounting practices

Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to be creative or have a magical 'aha' moment to find a great startup idea. In reality, anyone can come up with innovative business ideas by following a structured process. On this live event, Jonathan Greechan (Co-Founder & CEO of Founder Institute) will share a framework for crafting great startup ideas that he has learned from working with over 10K startups worldwide. Then, attendees will have the opportunity to share their ideas, get feedback from others, and meet aspiring entrepreneurs interested in their space. If you have rough ideas and don't know what to do next, this is the event to attend!

Do you want to start your own technology company, but don't know where to begin? You are not alone. Every day millions of people go to jobs they don't enjoy, but few do something about it. At the "Employee to Entrepreneur" event, you can hear the stories, tips, and best practices of those who left their jobs to pursue their own startup company. Listen to the experiences of people just like you who have made the transition, and discuss any questions or concerns that you have. Afterward, attendees will have an opportunity to network with other aspiring entrepreneurs and share their ideas for feedback.

Welcome to the Increasing H.O.P.E monthly orientation! Our monthly orientation is a chance for you to get to know us and the services we can offer to you at NO COST! Our mission is to create financial freedom and stability for families in South Carolina by building assets through financial education and training!

Building a great Co-Founder team is one of the most difficult yet important steps in founding a startup. While many founders may start alone, there are multiple benefits of having a Co-Founder and taking the time to establish a quality team can mean the difference between failure and success. Join us for this fun and interactive event where you will learn best practices for building and formalizing a Co-Founder relationship. In addition, you will have the opportunity to network with other entrepreneurs who are looking for a Co-Founder at virtual tables and speed networking sessions.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development will be hosting multiple webinars with the S.C. Department of Revenue, providing Enterprise Program participants with in-depth information on program and reporting requirements.

Focus areas: Completing the Revitalization Agreement, submitting certification documents, completing Elections Forms, Quarterly and Annual Reports, as well as, Quarterly Tax Returns and Preparation for Annual Audits.

If you are loan-ready and need funding for your business, attend this in-person workshop hosted by the SC SBDC and the I-HOPE Women’s Business Center. Ask lending professionals how to obtain financing, what type of funding is available, and what action steps are necessary to get funding. Learn about interest rates and timelines for receiving funding.

Presenters:

• Charlie O’Brien, Chief Engagement Officer, Climb Fund
• Charlie Ebert, SSBCI Consultant, SC SBDC
• William Furman, Charleston Senior Manager, SBA
• Jim Johnson, Food Systems and Agribusiness consultant, SC SBDC
• David Harper, VP Business Development, Provident Financial
• Michael Smith, VP Community Development, First Capital Bank

Finding the sweet spot where your product meets market demand is vital for startup success. In our upcoming online event, you'll discover how to refine your value proposition, effectively gather and utilize customer feedback, and adjust your product to meet the exact needs of your target audience. This is an invaluable opportunity for any entrepreneur looking to make their product truly resonate in the marketplace. Secure your spot now for insights that could transform your approach and elevate your product to its perfect market fit.

To launch a great startup, it is critical to get feedback on your ideas from entrepreneurs who have been there and done that. First, you'll learn the best practices for creating a concise and compelling elevator pitch. Then, you will have the opportunity to share your pitch with other entrepreneurs, advisors, and investors at virtual tables for instant feedback. Even if you don't want to share your pitch, you can still join to hear other startup ideas and witness how the experts review a pitch.

The Southern Economic Development Council, North America's oldest and largest regional economic development association, will convene in Savannah for #SEDC2024 on July 28 - 30. Join 500 of the world's leading economy builders for a capacity-building and fun experience. Ticket sales are open now!

It's a place for minority business owners to:

• Maximize your sales opportunities
• Match with major corporations
• Engage with thought leaders & minority mentors
• Network and connect with other diverse suppliers
• Grow your business

It's a place for corporations to:

• Engage with qualified minority suppliers
• Collaborate with CVMSDC corporate partners
• Build relationships with minority businesses
• Diversify your supply base which increases competition, innovation, and agility