Month: September 2023

We’re thrilled to announce NEXT kicked off the second cohort of its accelerator program on Monday, September 18th. The 8-week curriculum, taught with the expertise of local former founders and business leaders, comprises eight high-growth companies. These companies will work side by side with each other and program leaders to build a growth plan to take their startups to the next level. The curriculum aims to grow and scale some of the region’s high-potential startups by providing dedicated resources to their specific challenges and needs with sessions dedicated to product market fit, sales and marketing, hiring to scale, funding, and more.

“The NEXT Accelerator is laying the foundation for Greenville’s entrepreneurial community. As a former technology founder, I wish I had a program like this. The teaching and leadership provided through the accelerator is exceptional. If I would have had the opportunity to attend a program like this, it would have saved me numerous headaches and mistakes. Along with NEXT, we are leveraging our network of fifty (50) Greenville-based investors to teach, lead, and foster growth.” – Shay Houser, Founderville.vc

The program culminates in a showcase presentation in November that is open to the public.

Introducing Cohort 2:

“I’m thrilled to join the NEXT Startup Accelerator as it offers an invaluable opportunity for Susu Lend, a fintech dedicated to serving the credit invisible. Connecting with local support and resources is incredibly important during our pilot program launch. This local engagement fuels my excitement and allows us to deeply connect with the community we aim to serve, strengthening our foundational launch.” – Pedro Escobar, Susu Lend

The companies in Cohort 1 saw a direct impact from participation in the NEXT Accelerator. Three companies, Pixlmob, WAVS, and Vicinity, all received funding from Founderville.vc which was announced on stage at the 2023 NEXT Venture Summit.

“I’ve been a part of multiple programs and while those were all good in their own respect, this program was much more impactful. I guess that’s clear since I’m moving my family and business here [from Florence, SC]. But, there was really no hesitation on my part because we founders need a network of support and without a doubt this is where I need to be.” – Mike Smith, Custom Donations, Cohort 1 Graduate

Cohort members and their journeys will be featured across NEXT’s social media during their time in the program. To learn more about these companies, visit https://www.instagram.com/nextupstatesc/.

About NEXT

NEXT is a non-profit entrepreneurial support organization that attracts and helps grow high-impact, knowledge-based companies by developing the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Greenville, SC and connecting entrepreneurs to it. Our mission is to identify, engage and provide support for high-growth entrepreneurs and their teams as they build scaling, investor-ready companies through programming, connections and support whether just starting out or well on their way.

For more information, visit www.nextgengvl.org

Last night, the Greenville Drive hosted the 3rd annual #StartupGVL Night, a night out for innovation and entrepreneurship. Thanks to Village Launch for a lively Village Market on District 356. We loved seeing Walter, the beer-pouring Robot from Hop Robotics in the Front Porch, and Real Motors’ Tesla Recreational Vehicles in the Champions Club. It was an exciting night for Innovation in the Upstate.

Speaking of exciting… NEXT revealed the Ten Most Exciting Startups in the Region, who will be presenting on stage at NEXT Venture Summit on September 12-13th. Check them out!

The Ten Most Exciting Startups in the Region are:

Boyd Cycling – a craft wheel manufacturer specializing in high-end wheels for road, gravel, cyclocross, and mountain bikes. BOYD designs, produces, and assembles bicycle wheels made from carbon and alloy right in Greenville, SC.

CarbonCents – a SaaS platform to provide insight into manufacturing, healthcare, education, and municipalities operations by collecting, measuring, and presenting data efficiently. Enabling quality decisions to reduce costs and emissions while creating a healthy working environment and more sustainable future.

KIYATEC – Kiyatec is disrupting cancer care by accurately predicting patient–specific response and non–response before treatment begins to enable physicians to isolate only the effective treatments for their patients as quickly as possible – making truly personalized medicine a reality.

Rymedi – A blockchain-enabled platform that empowers health workers and patients to improve the quality and efficiency of care by securely linking the patient, provider, institution, employer, and lab, creating a marketplace of health solutions with each module optimized for a client’s unique needs.

ScopeStack – ScopeStack is a unique presales automation tool for IT service providers, enabling engineers to increase efficiency, reduce risk, and improve service margins.

Skillsgapp – Skillsgapp transforms career awareness, access to job pathways, and skill development into engaging mobile video games. Their Skillionaire Games offer a scalable, trackable solution to attracting and growing a sustainable workforce pipeline both meeting a region’s needs and providing access to meaningful careers to students.

StarkRFID – Stark is a proven event and venue management solution provider for some of the world’s biggest brands. Their experience allows them to deliver the security, control, engagement, and intelligence you need to ensure that every event is a success by providing complete RFID solutions (hardware, software, consulting, and consumables) for brands.

SyncMD – Sync.MD® provides patients with superior mobile technology to collect, store, and share their personal health information. Sync.MD® eases the communication burden between disparate electronic medical record systems through patented, innovative technologies that place the patient at the center of their information exchange.

TrebleHook – TrebleHook is a project pursuit platform for architecture, engineering, and construction that helps teams centralize project data, enhance customer relationships, and pursue and land the right projects.

WAVS Custom – WAVS Custom is a music tech company dedicated to fine craftsmanship and better listening alternatives. Their patented process, allowing customers to 3D scan their ears from their cell phones, has made custom-fit earphones & IEM’s accessible and affordable for the first time ever. Each set of WAVS is digitally processed and handcrafted here in the USA.

Month: September 2023

Introducing the NEXT Accelerator Cohort 2

NEXT unveils Ten Most Exciting Startups in the Region at 3rd annual #StartupGVL Night at the Greenville Drive