Venture Carolina launches a new fund to invest in Upstate Upstarts
July 22, 2024
Venture Carolina, through its Upstate Upstarts program, is pleased to announce a new way to support early stage companies in the Upstate of South Carolina.
The Upstate Upstarts List is an initiative to increase the visibility of early-stage technology companies developing new technologies and building new companies in the Upstate of South Carolina. Launched in 2024, the list, which is now over 60 companies, tries to publicize the successes and potential of “upstarts” in our region.
Venture Carolina, in collaboration with VentureSouth, the Appalachian Regional Commission, and other partners can now support an investment fund that will invest in the companies on the list. For individuals or companies with an interest in supporting local companies, the fund will provide a diversified portfolio of companies sourced from the Upstate Upstarts List.
“The Upstate Upstarts list highlights the exciting early stage companies we have in the Upstate region of South Carolina,” said Charlie Banks, Executive Director of Venture Carolina. “We hope this new funding option helps provide the companies with the resources they need to thrive, while encouraging investors to explore the financial and community benefits of investing in startups.”
Companies are eligible for the list if they are based in the seven counties of the Upstate (Oconee, Pickens, Anderson, Greenville, Spartanburg, Cherokee, Union), have a technology-basis and high growth potential, and have at least $150,000 of annual recurring revenue or a minimum of eight employees.
Investors can join the fund if they meet the SEC requirement of accreditation and invest a minimum of $10,000. The fund is publicly marketed and open to investors now. For more information, please visit www.upstateupstarts.com.
About Venture Carolina
Venture Carolina is a South Carolina based non-profit organization that uses comprehensive educational resources to teach entrepreneurs how best to position their companies for early-stage funding, and to guide investors on how to make disciplined angel investment decisions. The result is an environment within the Southeast that successfully bridges the critical funding gap that exists between entrepreneurs and investors. To learn more about Venture Carolina and our partners, please visit www.venturecarolina.org.
