Clemson and Upstate Community Offer Program to Attract Entrepreneurs
March 10, 2009
CLEMSON, SC – March 10, 2009 – Clemson University and community leaders are launching a new program to attract creative entrepreneurs to the South Carolina Upstate.
Applications are being accepted for NEXTstart, a program offered this summer that will provide a small initial investment, facilities, mentoring and learning opportunities to entrepreneurial teams interested in starting a business in the Upstate. Applications can be found at www.nextstart.org.
“We want this program to provide high-potential would-be entrepreneurs an opportunity to get some guidance, an office and a small amount of money so they can get started on their business ideas. This summer is the pilot test of our plan,” said Caron St. John, director of Clemson’s Arthur M. Spiro Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership and associate dean for graduate programs and research in the College of Business and Behavioral Science.
NEXTstart will offer initial funding for early-stage entrepreneurs: up to $5,000 per team member and $10,000 per company. (Click here for more details about the program.)
Greg C. Smith, vice president and general manager of Xerox Mortgage Services in Atlanta and a 1984 Clemson graduate, has provided $25,000 to assist in operating expenses, and according to St. John, a private investment group is putting up direct investment money for the selected entrepreneurial teams.
Clemson’s Renaissance Center and the Spiro Institute, the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, SC Launch! and the NEXT organization of regional technology entrepreneurs will participate with programs, mentoring and activities. A team of successful area entrepreneurs, professional service providers and investors are collaborating to provide mentoring and direct assistance.
Selection into the program will be based on originality and business potential of the idea. A team of program investors will make the selection.
NEXTstart companies will be housed in the NEXT Innovation Center at 401 University Ridge in downtown Greenville with other NEXT companies. Bob Hughes of Hughes Development Corp. is making the space available for the pilot program.
