Department of Commerce launches Pursuit Pass
October 1, 2019
New tool provides opportunity to access more statewide events
The South Carolina Department of Commerce’s Office of Innovation, in partnership with the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA), today announced the launch of Pursuit Pass, a new tool for individuals to participate in prominent, statewide technology and innovation-related events for a flat rate.
The Pursuit Pass offers discounts or complimentary access to nine innovation-focused events. The event lineup includes: SC Logistics Tech Talk; South Carolina Summit on IT; InnoVision Awards Banquet; VentureSouth Summit; SCBIO Entrepreneurship Bootcamp; NEXT Venture Pitch; Open Source 101; DigSouth; and the SC Launch Summit.
The Pursuit Pass aims to increase access and relationships within the state’s innovation community, resulting in meaningful networking and an expanded knowledge base.
“Barriers limit innovation. That’s what the Pursuit Pass eliminates, barriers,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt. “We strive to empower South Carolina’s strongest asset, our people, by connecting them to one another. It’s this connectivity that continues to grow our innovation and tech-related activity within the state.”
Once purchased, passholders receive an email with a special discount code, which can be applied at checkout on specific event registration pages.
The Pursuit Pass is a representation of S.C. Commerce, SCRA and the nine host organizations’ ongoing commitment to building the necessary resources for the relentless pursuit of transformational ideas.
For more information about the Pursuit Pass, visit www.pursuitpasssc.com.
About S.C. Department of Commerce
As South Carolina’s leading economic development agency, the Department of Commerce works to recruit new businesses and help existing business grow. S.C. Commerce has recruited world-class companies to South Carolina such as BMW, Boeing, Continental, Giti Tire, LPL Financial Holdings, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Samsung, Toray and Volvo Cars and also supports startups, small and existing business, innovation and rural development initiatives. S.C. Commerce partners with the S.C. Technical College System via readySC to support workforce training and recruiting, and with the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, which provides worker training and employment opportunities within the state. With a strong international footprint, the Palmetto State was among the top in the nation for attracting jobs through foreign investment on a per capita basis in 2018 – extending its streak of top five finishes since 2011. Additionally, in five of seven years, the state has won the Gold Shovel Award from Area Development magazine; and, in 2017, the state was recognized as Business Facilities’ State of the Year. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com.
About the South Carolina Research Authority
The South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) was chartered in 1983 as a public non-profit corporation to fuel our state’s innovation economy. It does this by providing funding, support and mentoring to create jobs, nurture company growth, enhance academic and corporate research and facilitate commercialization. SCRA has an annual economic impact of $700 million, facilitating the creation of almost 4,100 jobs at an average salary of $71,000, as well as provides investments and grants which have led to over $1B in follow-on funding by third parties and venture capitalists.
