Upstate Entrepreneur Ecosystem

Supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses for a competitive Upstate economy

The Upstate’s economy has diversified in recent decades to become better positioned for growth in the Global Economy of the 21st Century. The Upstate is now home to both traditional manufacturing and a growing stable of national and international companies focused on research and innovation. In addition, an expanding legion of entrepreneurs and small businesses are dotting the landscape and serving as a key element of the Upstate’s economy. Continuing to cultivate and support small businesses and entrepreneurs is a critical component of the future economic growth of the region. Ten at the Top has been convening two groups around this driver area, and has compiled a few tools as well. Contact us to get involved!

Upstate Entrepreneur Ecosystem

Who: Network of professionals that support the growth and development of the Upstate’s entrepreneurial ecosystem

What: Convene to network, learn, and share effective strategies to grow the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Upstate

Launch of Start-Grow Upstate

Watch this recording of the Start-Grow Upstate website launch to see all of the resources available to entrepreneurs and small businesses in the Upstate and how best to search the site.

2021 Workshop Presentations:

Tuesday, August 24 at 3:00 p.m. Networking at the Park 37 Community Room. Register now!

Tuesday, September 14 at 3:00 p.m. Greer Development Corp at The Platform in Greer

Tuesday, October 12 at 3:00 p.m. Financial Statement Literacy at the Park 37 Community Room

Global Entrepreneurship Week: November 8 -14, 2021 Event on Rural Entrepreneurship at the Park 37 Community Room: Date/Time TBD

Tuesday, December 7 at 3:00 p.m. Legal Deep Dive with Michael Nail at Ogletree Deakins

2021 UEE PARTNERS VIRTUAL WORKSHOP SERIES: Mastering Hard Conversations

Thursday, September 9 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. How to Talk about Finances: Conversations with Lenders and Investors with Earl Gregorich of the South Carolina Small Business Development Center. Register Now!

Thursday, September 23 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Sales Presentations with Jerry Smith of SCORE. Register Now!

Thursday, October 7 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Networking, Developing Your Elevator Pitch with Ana Parra of CommunityWorks. Register Now!

Thursday, October 21 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Discussing the Challenges with Erin Outz of the Upstate Entrepreneur Ecosystem. Register Now!

2021 Previous Workshops:

Tuesday, May 11: A celebration of all that has been accomplished in the last year. We heard success stories about new programs and broke out into smaller Zoom rooms to catch up with old friends and meet new ones. The new Start-Grow Upstate resource navigator website was soft-launched for all to review, test and provide feedback before going live.

New COVID-19 rules, and updated COVID-19 and vaccine guidelines for employers with Michael Nail with Ogletree Deakins – video and presentation

Legislative Update with Kunal Parikh, Policy Advisor to Senator Tim Scott – video and presentation

Conversations to Avoid Intellectual Property Calamities with Hunter Freeman and Doug Lineberry from Burr Forman, LLP – video and presentation

Second Draw PPP Workshop – Video, SBDC supporting documentation, and written recap

2020 Virtual Workshop Presentations:

Annual Legal Workshop with Michael Nail of Ogletree Deakins – video

Global Entrepreneurship Week: Click here to view the Proclamation from Terence V. Roberts, Mayor of the City of Anderson.

Demystifying Mentoring with Dr. Cynthia Sims of Clemson University – presentation and video

Global Entrepreneurship Week – presentation and video

Entrepreneur Resiliency with Paul Clark of VentureSouth – presentation and video

Financial Statement Discipline with Earl Gregorich of SC SBDC – presentation and video

Using Digital Tools and Audits to Promote Local Businesses presented by Amanda Munyan and Jonathan Irick – presentation and video

Supporting Entrepreneurs in Uncertain Times – video

Current & Future Impact of COVID-19 for Upstate Entrepreneurs with by Scott Baier of Clemson University– presentation and video

Mental Health Considerations for Entrepreneurs with Beth Freeman of USC Upstate – presentation and video

Tax Changes in the CARES Act and Accounting Best Practices with Scott Patterson of Core Financial Resources – presentation and video

Alternatives to SBA Lending Panel Discussion with Brendan Buttimer, SC Community Loan Fund; Skyler Jackson, Carolina Foothills FCU; Tammie Hoy Hawkins, CommunityWorks Carolina; and Julie Franklin, LISC – presentation and video

Important COVID-19 Employee Leave and Unemployment Changes for Business with Michael Nail of Ogletree Deakins – presentation and audio

SBDC’s Role and an Introduction to the EIDL and PPP Loans with Earl Gregorich of SC SBDC – presentation and audio