Ecosystem

Clemson University Research Foundation (CURF)

A knowledgeable insider in business and academia, CURF focuses on building meaningful, ongoing relationships between industry partners and Clemson’s faculty, students and administrative leadership in the University research enterprise. CURF aims to create and maintain a scalable, sustainable model for research collaboration, technology maturation and technology commercialization opportunities that will feed back into the broader university research enterprise. To achieve this mission, CURF provides supplemental activities to support research faculty, develop graduate student talent, increase industry-sponsored research activities and promote university-affiliated startups. It offers services related to technology evaluation and market analysis, technology transfer and intellectual property protection, promotion and marketing and business development and funding.

South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA)

SCRA’s mission is to fuel the state’s innovation economy by accelerating technology-enabled growth of academia, entrepreneurship and industry. To accomplish this goal, SCRA grows academic research and its commercialization through grant funding and the coordination of resources to ensure that developments meet industry needs. It also provides lab and administrative spaces for academic institutions and technology startups; connects entrepreneurs and innovators to sector; and supports entrepreneurs and technology startups on a strong growth track through funding, coaching and investing. Its main sectors of focus are advanced manufacturing and materials; information technology; life sciences; and clean teach, sustainability and resilience. SCRA aims to be the leading catalyst in making South Carolina the first choice for technology-focused industry, entrepreneurs and academics. 

NextGEN

NextGEN is an entrepreneur support organization whose goal is to connect innovators to a rich support network and provide the education and opportunities necessary for growth. NextGEN aims to build a local ecosystem where small, high-impact companies and ventures can thrive, creating high-quality jobs and a prosperous economy. To accomplish this mission, NextGEN offers multiple resources, including a venture mentoring service, an accelerator program, educational workshops, growth labs and community networking events.

NC State University

NC State University is a research powerhouse and a strong economic engine for North Carolina. The Office of Research Commercialization (ORC) protects and promotes university research discoveries and intellectual property, works with and guides industry partners and boosts the acceleration of startups. We’re driving economic growth by facilitating the commercialization of research discoveries.

Brook T Smith Launchpad 

The Brook T. Smith Launchpad is the Entrepreneurship Hub of Clemson University. Housed in the President’s Office and located in downtown Clemson, this 9,000 sq. ft. space provides a plethora of educational, networking and support opportunities to students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members. 

Entrepreneurs are of all ages and come from all walks of life. As such, we welcome individuals and teams from all these groups with open arms. We have dynamic, word class physical, virtual, financial and human resources at our disposal to help anyone in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. 

We deliver content, enable collisions, foster collaborations and create companies that will impact Clemson and the World.

Our North Star is to help fulfill Thomas Green Clemson’s aspiration that Clemson University equip everyone in the Clemson Family to propel South Carolina and the United States to become even more productive and prosperous.