COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Commerce’s SC Nexus for Advanced Resilient Energy (SC NEXUS) division, in partnership with the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA), today announced the official launch of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Exchange (eiX), a strategic project aimed at strengthening the state’s position as a leader in energy innovation.
eiX is designed to accelerate the commercialization of advanced energy and grid-resilient technologies by connecting innovators with the capital, expertise and market access needed to build and scale high-growth companies. By aligning entrepreneurship with infrastructure, the project will help bolster the state’s energy systems while advancing long-term competitiveness.
SCRA is leading the eiX project, which integrates multiple components. The first to debut is the eiX Venture Accelerator, spearheaded by NextGEN, a Greenville-based entrepreneur support organization, powered by FedTech, a national venture studio, and in collaboration with the city of Greenville.
The eiX Venture Accelerator will establish a pilot venture creation and commercialization program focused on recruiting top entrepreneurs, sourcing high-potential technologies from federal labs and universities, forming investable startups and preparing existing companies for deployment within SC NEXUS’s grid-innovation testbeds.
By leveraging SC NEXUS’ existing assets, emerging and scaling startups will gain access to comprehensive business, technical and hands-on training — reducing barriers to market entry and accelerating advanced energy solutions across South Carolina.
To learn more about SC NEXUS and how to connect with Tech Hub resources, email SCNexus@sccommerce.com or visit www.sccommerce.com/