Last week, I had the privilege of attending the South Carolina AI Showcase + Community Meetup at the NEXT Innovation Center in Greenville. As someone who’s passionate about helping innovators connect and grow, it was inspiring to see just how much energy is building around AI right here in our state.
Hosted by Catalyst Labs, the Benedict College Statewide Investment Accelerator, NextGEN, and Build Carolina, the event wasn’t just another tech meetup, it was a window into the future of work, communication, and community.
Startups Taking the Stage
Six AI-driven startups presented their ideas, each tackling a very different challenge:
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Tiersphere – Making life easier for nonprofits by using AI to source philanthropic opportunities.
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Oratia – Training people to improve interviews and sales conversations with smart, two-way communication feedback.
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Ranger Trading – Applying neural networks to trading for sharper forecasting and profitability.
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Heirloom – Building a private memory network to help families capture and protect their stories.
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Chipp – Empowering anyone to build AI agents and apps without coding, from sales assistants to research tools.
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CRE Finder – Helping commercial real estate investors uncover properties and connect with decision-makers faster with AI-powered insights.
Watching these founders share their vision, you could feel both the diversity of thought and the common drive to make AI practical, accessible, and impactful.
More about (BCSIA)
The Benedict College Statewide Investment Accelerator is focused on giving early-stage companies the support they need to move from concept to growth. Led by Benedict College, in Columbia, SC, the program connects entrepreneurs with experienced mentors, investor networks, and practical resources to help them build sustainable businesses. A key part of its mission is expanding access to capital and opportunities for founders who have historically been underrepresented in the innovation and investment space.
Beyond funding, BCSIA offers pitch preparation, business development workshops, and strategic connections to help startups scale with confidence. As South Carolina continues to grow as a hub for technology and entrepreneurship, programs like BCSIA play an important role in ensuring that this growth is inclusive and impactful for communities across the state.
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