Is Fort Mill becoming a tech startup hub? Several companies named among SC’s best
A nonprofit looking for the best tech innovation across South Carolina found a handful of top companies in Fort Mill.
InnoVision Awards announced 18 finalists for its top annual awards honoring innovation and technology on Monday. Three were Fort Mill companies, and another is based in Indian Land. Columbia also had four companies, and Greenville had three.
Combining economic development, education and business partners, InnoVision began more than two decades ago. The nonprofit holds business forums statewide and recognizes companies that produce new, innovative products.
Last year, Fort Mill had a finalist in InnoVision’s sustainability category with Gravity Driven, a company whose products convert movement in a vehicle into electricity. Now Fort Mill township companies are up for tech awards in development, integration, sustainability and community service.
Here’s more on each of the local companies:
▪ New Forge Tech is up for the technology development award. The Fort Mill software company uses artificial intelligence and augmented reality to connect workers with troubleshooting options. New Forge Tech can turn manuals or schematics into clear, downloadable instructions or connect workers at a manufacturing site to machine technicians using smart glasses.
Then located in Rock Hill, New Forge was accepted four years ago as a South Carolina Research Authority client company and received a $50,000 demonstration grant the following year. Last year research authority investment arm SC Launch awarded New Forge a $250,000 grant to grow work in manufacturing and healthcare fields.
More info: newforgetech.com
▪ Delta Bravo AI uses artificial intelligence to increase production in manufacturing. Also a former Rock Hill company with startup ties to the tech incubator program at Knowledge Park, Fort Mill-based Delta Bravo is up for a technology integration award.
South Carolina Research Authority added Delta Bravo as a client in its entrepreneurial program in 2017. A $50,000 acceleration grant followed in 2018.
More info: deltabravo.ai
▪ Secure Process Intelligence creates personalized dashboards for the municipal and industrial water, oil, gas, environmental monitoring and food production industries. Cloud platforms allow remote diagnosis of hardware to optimize operations. The company was nominated for a sustainability award.
The company was accepted early last year as a member by the state research authority. Within six months it received a $25,000 SC Launch project development grant and a $50,000 acceleration grant.
More info: sp-i4.com
▪ My Voluntier is an Indian Land-based company nominated for a community service award. It provides a web app to find, track and mobilize people for various community service functions. Organizations, institutions and volunteers can use it. People also can search for service opportunities in their area.
My Voluntier became a research authority member company in May.
More info: myvoluntier.com
Fort Mill companies impact others in the region
The startup scene in Fort Mill and Rock Hill has a larger impact than just the thriving small businesses. They often work with much larger companies to improve their businesses, too.
The New Forge client list includes Rock Hill machining company Winbro Group Technologies. Delta Bravo lists several clients with headquarters in the region, from Comporium and air compressor company Atlas Copco in Rock Hill to Schaeffler Group in Fort Mill, Continental in Indian Land and the Nucor steel company in Charlotte.
The area tech companies also support larger businesses in other parts of South Carolina.
“Their success and the innovative services and software they provide not only support local manufacturers but also major industries such as automotive and pharmaceuticals,” said David Swenson, York County Economic Development director.
