The Pen to Paper Tour started at the SiMT Gould Business Incubator on Monday in Florence.
The SC Department of Commerce’s Office of Innovation created the tour to connect with locals about the state’s innovation ecosystem.
Business owners and individuals with potential business ideas had the opportunity to get insight on their innovations.
Managing Director for the Office of Innovation, Laura Corder, said the tour is a way to help people achieve success.
“Bring us your problems. My job is to make sure whatever it is you’re working on is on a smoother pathway for you. “
During the tour, Corder is offering one-on-one sessions for those needing specific help with their innovations.
“We’ve made some meaningful connections and impact with whoever walks in through that door and wants a one-on-one with us,” she said.
“That can mean a lot of different things depending on that problem at hand, but they’ve walked away with a positive next step.”
Individuals who attend the tour are given information on funding, digital literacy, social media and intellectual property protection.
According to Corder, the Office of Innovation is looking to do 24 tours in all.
Two tours will be given each month:
- February 11, 2019: bGEN Incubator in Gaffney, SC
- February 25, 2019: Spark Center S.C. in Spartanburg, SC
- March 11, 2019: S.C. Women’s Business Center at Columbia College in Columbia, SC
- March 25, 2019: Clemson University Center for Automotive Research in Greenville, SC
The remaining tour dates have not been released yet.
Those interested in scheduling a one-on-one session with Corder at a future tour date can contact her at lcorder@sccommerce.com.
