We want to be part of your success story and make you part of ours. That's why Columbia provides a wide variety of resources to startups and growing companies.

With a supportive community of entrepreneurs, educated talent pipeline and access to low cost space and resources, it’s no wonder Columbia made Inc. Magazine’s 50 Surge Cities for 2020 list as one of the best places in the U.S. for starting a business.

Vän Robotics, innovative maker of smart robots for classrooms, chose Columbia for its startup support and quality of life.

Z-verse, founded in 2013, provides a breakthrough software platform for manufacturers, enabling them to design and model in 3D.

Krumware creates software and trains enterprise teams, using a co-work space in the BullStreet District to launch their business.

F2T Productions is a farm-to-table event and catering company that has steadily expanded since launching here in 2011.

Nine FX, a veteran-owned cybersecurity firm, has secured federal and corporate contracts while incubating at the USC/Columbia Technology Incubator.

Indah Coffee started with a portable coffee roaster at the weekly Soda City farmers market and now operates a roasting facility and two coffee shops.

 

Startups Stats

Top 3

College Technology Incubators to Watch

Inc. Magazine

1 Million Cups

events just for entrepreneurs

Top 10

U.S. Cities to Live

Kiplinger

#1

state in the U.S. for incentive programs

Get More Stats

Resources & Incentives

SCRA
Funds research, startup and industry collaboration. Companies may be eligible for up to $775,000 in grants, loan and investment combinations.

City of Columbia Financing
Startups can apply for funds for building construction or rehab, business conversion or expansion, working capital and to purchase real estate, equipment and supplies.

USC/Columbia Technology Incubator
Helps entrepreneurs move from idea to startup with co-working space and business incubation; one of Inc. Magazine’s “Top 3 College Incubators to Watch.”

Columbia Innovation Center
Flexible 66,000 square foot building designed to accommodate business offices and next-generation manufacturing operations. Also home to the McNair Center and EngenuitySC.

Benedict College Business Development Center
Office space, training, networking, funding and support for minority entrepreneurs.

 

See more resources and incentives for entrepreneurs! 

 

Connect With Us!

Columbia is a great place to do business. Our team is here to make it easy, too. We can help you with:

  • Site visits
  • Finding coworking or accelerator space
  • Negotiating incentive packages
  • Logistics and transportation expertise
  • Working with service providers and government offices
  • Connecting to the talented, skilled workforce you need

Contact Us!