The Beaufort Digital Corridor has been awarded a $65,000 Relentless Challenge grant from the South Carolina Department of Commerce Office of Innovation.

The grant funds projects that focus on fostering the relentless pursuit of transformational ideas, specifically in the areas of entrepreneurship, talent development, and access to capital. The grant requires a dollar-for-dollar match from non-state entities.

The Digital Corridor’s project, Technology Product Development Training, is for entrepreneurs with a product idea that has scalable potential. Through immersive experience, they will be able to understand exactly how they will develop their product, what they need to do that and be in a much better position to complete their product in a timely manner.

Training will be provided largely by USC Beaufort Computer Science faculty and students, as well as the BDC’s mentor and professional network.

“Empowering localized efforts for the innovation community is crucial as South Carolina’s knowledge economy continues to grow,” Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt said in a release. “Access to capital, talent development, and high-scaling entrepreneurship are key elements for a thriving innovation ecosystem. We look forward to collaborating with each Relentless Challenge project over the
coming year.”

Interested parties are encouraged to attend an informational seminar open to residents, BDC members, and the public at BASEcamp from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29. Applications will be accepted through Feb. 7 to determine product concepts that have the best commercial potential.

“This project creates the environment for accelerated technology development, which speaks to the reason the Beaufort Digital Corridor exists: to help technology entrepreneurs become growing, hiring companies,” BDC Board Chairman Kevin Klingler said in a release.

The Beaufort Digital Corridor (BDC) is a community-sourced 501(c)(6) business initiative to attract, nurture, and promote the technology economy through an array of impactful programs, products and events while leveraging the city’s renowned livability. For more information, visit beaufortdigital.com.