SCRA Startup Grant

About this programme

The SCRA Startup Grant is run by the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA), a public, non-profit organization chartered in 1983 by the State of South Carolina to fuel the state's innovation economy across sectors including Advanced Materials/Manufacturing, Life Sciences, Clean Tech, Sustainability and Resilience, and Information Technology. The grant is funded in part by Industry Partnership Fund (IPF) contributions, which give contributors a dollar-for-dollar South Carolina income tax credit.

The grant provides early-stage funding to startups to support one or more critical milestones toward commercialization, and to help the company pursue follow-on funding after it.

How it works

Startup Grants provide up to $25,000, and a company is allowed one Startup Grant during its lifetime.

Funds must go toward commercializing the technology, assessing the business model, validating the technology's performance, or moving the company to a higher readiness level for further funding and scaling.

Funds cannot be used for rent, licensing fees, legal fees, reimbursement of past expenses, or profit/fee.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. After documentation is submitted, the assigned Relationship Manager presents the funding request to the SC Launch Team; companies are typically notified within one week, and approved awards are typically funded within 20 calendar days of notification.

Who can apply

The company must be registered as a for-profit business with the SC Secretary of State.

The company's principal place of business must be in South Carolina, or at least 51% of its full-time equivalent employees must be located in the state.

The company must be an active SCRA Member Company to receive the grant.

The company must be based on some form of technology, ideally with intellectual property protection.

Review criteria also weigh the technology sector fit, the strength and coachability of the management team, whether the product has defensible differentiation, and market and funding viability.

How to apply

1. Contact your assigned Relationship Manager to discuss your interest in the grant.
2. If you pass initial review, your Relationship Manager will invite you to complete a full application.
3. Submit all requested documentation; the Relationship Manager presents your funding request to the SC Launch Team.
4. You'll receive notification of SCRA's decision and next steps, typically within one week.
5. If approved, awards are typically funded within 20 calendar days of notification.

Frequently asked

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Reviewed 2026-09-25. Programmes change, so check eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official page before you apply. CapEasy is a private firm and is not part of any government body.