Summerville, S.C. – Seven innovative SC companies receive nearly $300,000 in grants from the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA). The types of grants, companies and award amounts are as follows:
ACADEMIC START-UP ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ASAP) GRANTS
These grants are available to early-stage for-profit companies sponsored by academic institutions. The grants assist the companies in achieving one or more critical milestones toward commercialization, which will serve as the foundation for pursuing future funding.
Engin, LLC is developing a new lightweight wheel for armored vehicles with a longer lifespan that operates on land and in water and has better fuel efficiency. The new wheel design is 41% lighter, 52% stronger and floats. The Charleston-based company is receiving a $46,000 ASAP Grant.
FEDERAL SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) OR SMALL BUSINESS TECH TRANSFER (STTR) MATCHING GRANTS
These are available to companies that have been granted SBIR or STTR Phase I awards to enable them to complete activities crucial to obtaining Federal Phase II funding.
Blue Eye Soft, LLC, already offering a number of engineering, IT, training and design solutions, is entering the satellite/data space where they’ll be improving data analysis for weather systems. The company, located in Greer, is receiving a $50,000 SBIR/STTR Matching Grant.
Lydex Pharmaceuticals, LLC, based in Mt. Pleasant, is developing the first effective targeted small molecule drug therapy for liver ischemia/reperfusion (IR) to prevent additional damage to the liver during surgical procedures and transplants. The company is receiving a $50,000 SBIR/STTR Matching Grant.
ACCELERATION GRANTS
These grants are competitively awarded to South Carolina-based, for-profit companies in the SC Launch program to help them progress toward commercialization and better positioning for an investment through investment affiliate, SC Launch, Inc.
Aravis BioTech, LLC, located in Greenville, is developing a medical device implant that will monitor healing of hip surgery patients. The device provides information to the provider and the patient about when and how to begin weight-bearing activities. This device is also designed to reduce complications and manage the care for insurance purposes. Aravis is receiving a $50,000 Acceleration Grant.
ScopeStack, LLC, has developed a web-based platform for IT and engineering professionals that provides a simple-step pricing tool. IT professionals and engineers enter step-by-step information describing the project’s scope and the ScopeStack tool will accurately price the project. Located in Greenville, the company is receiving a $50,000 Acceleration Grant.
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT FUND GRANTS (PDF) GRANTS
These grants are awarded to SC Launch Client Companies that are not affiliated with an academic institution to assist a startup in achieving critical milestones to commercialization that will allow them to pursue investment capital.
Gabby, LLC (dba Confidence), located in Columbia, is a haircare company developing products designed for African American hair. The company is also developing all-natural ingredients to produce organic hair formulas. For new product testing, raw materials and manufacturing, the company is receiving a $25,000 PDF Grant.
Zark, LLC, located in Aiken, is a mobile app for gamers to challenge friends to play their favorite games online together while earning rewards. Users connect with friends by scheduling a challenge to play together. Zark, which allows users to build up credits with wins and redeem them for rewards, is receiving a $25,000 PDF Grant.
ABOUT SCRA
SCRA is proud to be an i4Series Elite Sponsor. Chartered in 1983 by the State of South Carolina as a public, nonprofit corporation, SCRA fuels South Carolina’s Innovation Economy by accelerating technology-enabled growth in research, academia, entrepreneurship and industry.
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