Featured Events

Applications are Being Accepted for Feeding Innovation 2021 - Developing Healthy Food Businesses

Feeding Innovation is a comprehensive technical assistance program designed to support entrepreneurs interested in developing or expanding healthy food businesses in food deserts or underserved areas of the state.  The goal of the program is to increase access to healthy food while supporting the development of strong, local entrepreneurs and community-based businesses.  

Feeding Innovation participants engage in a ten week entrepreneurial training program featuring Clemson Agribusiness curriculum facilitated by Clemson Extension.  The courses cover everything needed to develop a basic healthy food business plan from marketing to financial planning to negotiations and deal-making.  With help from the course instructor and industry experts, participants refine their ideas and develop their  business plans over the ten week period before presenting them to a panel of judges during a final pitch event.  the three entrepreneurs with the strongest business plans are awarded $5,000, $10,000, and $30,000 in seed capital. 

Applications will be accepted for this program January 4th - February 5th, 2021. 

Classes will meet virtually on Wednesday evenings March 3rd - May 5th, 2021

Applications are Being Accepted for Working Capital Loans Due to April Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Straight-line Winds

Working capital loans are still available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and private nonprofit organizations affected by the severe storms, tornadoes and straight-line winds that occurred on April 12-13, 2020.  Working capital disaster loans up to $2 million are available at 3.75% for small businesses and 2.75% for private nonprofit organizations, with terms up to 30 years.  The loans are intended to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other expenses that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred.  To be considered for this assistance, eligible entities need to apply the by deadline, February 2, 2021.

Low interest disaster loans are available in the following counties: Aiken, Allendale, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Colleton, Darlington, Dillon, Dorchester, Edgefield, Florence, Georgetown, Greenville, Hampton, Jasper, Lexington, Marlboro, Oconee, Orangeburg, Pickens, Saluda, and Williamsburg 

Entrepreneurial Pathways - Strategic Foundations

Join this 10-week training course from 8:00 AM until 12:00 PM to learn about the foundations of starting your business.  Training topics will include: 

• Accounting/Budget
• Business Financing
• Business Plan
• Cash Flow Management
• Customer Relations
• eCommerce
• Human Resources
• Legal Issues
• Managing a Business
• Marketing/Sales
• Social Media
• Strategic Planning
• Website Development 

LISC-Lowe's Rural Relief Small Business Grants

LISC is inviting small business owners in rural locations across the country to apply for the LISC-Lowe's Rural Relief Small Business Grants program.

This grant opportunity will support small businesses and enterprises affected by COVID-19 across the country, especially those in underserved communities, including entrepreneurs of color, women- and veteran-owned businesses that often lack access to flexible, affordable capital.  

Applications are being accepted from January 26, 2021 until February 2, 2021 for the Rural Relief Small Business Grants.

Managing Your Cash Flow

As a small business owner, how you manage your cash flow may determine success or failure.  The webinar will review cash flow components and adjustments you may need to make to support your business plan. 

2021 Funding Opportunities - Are You Ready?

During this virtual session, the following funding opportunities will be discussed:

• Paycheck Protection Program(s), Economic Injury Disaster Loan and other standard loan programs
• Commercial Revolving Loan Fund (CRLF)
• City of Columbia's Resilient Columbia CARES Act Revolving Loan Fund
• City of Columbia CDBG CARES Act Funding
• Sisters of Charity Foundation Grants
• Bank of America Grants and more

Data Privacy - Why it Should be a Top Priority for Your Small to Medium-Size Business

Small to medium-size businesses need to make Data Privacy a higher priority in today's increasingly interconnected digital ecosystem.

In this webinar, you will learn:

• What some of the data privacy regulations that are affecting SMBs today
• The responsibilities and potential liabilities created by these regulations
• How SMBs can take proactive steps to comply with complex regulations

PPP for the Self-Employed

Get the answers to PPP questions during this FREE webinar to assist those who are self-employed. 

Topics include:

• Expanded Eligibility
• Required Documentation
• Allowed Expenses
• Loan Forgiveness
• And More!

The Importance Of Intellectual Property on Maintaining a Competitive Business - Session 3: The Impact of COVID-19 on Intellectual Property and Business Development

In keeping with its commitment to South Carolina's small business community, the SC SBDC is excited to present an intellectual property webinar series consisting of six weekly sessions to inform business owners and entrepreneurs on the importance of intellectual property to their business operations during the pandemic. 

This session will cover the impact of COVID-19 on business development matters such as licenses and contracts.  Attendees will also learn about the approaches to reduce cybersecurity risks and threats regarding unauthorized exposure of proprietary intellectual property.  Specific topics include:

• Use of intellectual property as business assets
• Basics of intellectual property commercialization
• Key licensing and financial terms to consider
• Way to navigate the impact of the pandemic with respect to contract obligations
• Cybersecurity risks to applicant/owner of intellectual property

The Importance Of Intellectual Property on Maintaining a Competitive Business - Session 4: Design-Around Strategies

In keeping with its commitment to South Carolina's small business community, the SC SBDC is excited to present an intellectual property webinar series consisting of six weekly sessions to inform business owners and entrepreneurs on the importance of intellectual property to their business operations during the pandemic.

This session will cover the importance of intellectual property in production design and application of reverse engineering strategies.  Specific topics will include:

• Understanding of what is a design-around or reverse engineering strategy 
• Understanding patent application claim scope and importance in product design and commercialization
• What strategies can be used to avoid product infringement issues