Applications for the 2025 cohort are now open through October 31, 2024.

The Midlands Minority Business Accelerator (MMBA) is a program of the Columbia Chamber in partnership with the South Carolina Minority Business Accelerator. The South Carolina Minority Business Accelerator is a statewide initiative formed by the Greenville Chamber, the Charleston Metro Chamber, and the Columbia Chamber.

Funded with a seed grant from Bank of America, MMBA is an initiative designed to advance economic inclusion across the state of South Carolina by helping to reduce the economic disparities experienced by minority-owned businesses. The initiative provides opportunities for economic growth and prosperity for high-potential minority-owned firms. MMBA is a major economic development tool of the Columbia Chamber and is designed to make minority businesses more competitive. Its mission is clear: to accelerate the development of minority-owned businesses to strengthen and expand our region's minority entrepreneurial community.

The ISRI is an international association of recyclers, with a chapter in the Southeast U.S.

An association of South Carolina metals recyclers. 

The Furman University Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities and SustainSC have partnered to create the SLI, which educates a cohort of 24 fellows each year on sustainability leadership.

The mission of the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs Small and Minority Business Division is to identify key issues and services that are necessary for the development of minority, small businesses, as well as the best measures for sustainability, programmatic implementation, enhancement, and economic growth.

Prepares minority-owned businesses for growth and expansion to create a competitive advantage for Upstate, SC by growing and promoting the economic success of disadvantaged organizations through business development services, mentoring, technical assistance and access to large corporations for partnership opportunities.

Promotes the economic growth in communities and generally represent the business interests of the communities they serve.

Promotes the economic growth in communities and generally represent the business interests of the communities they serve.

Promotes the economic growth in communities and generally represent the business interests of the communities they serve.

Promotes the economic growth in communities and generally represent the business interests of the communities they serve.