SCRA Technology Startup and Acceleration Grants
South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA)
$25K–$50K non-dilutive
Up to $50K non-dilutive SC tech startup grants
SCRA awards non-dilutive Startup Grants (up to $25,000) and Acceleration Grants (up to $50,000) to SCRA Member Companies — technology-based early-stage businesses in South Carolina. A Federal Matching Grant (up to $50,000) is also available for companies receiving federal technology commercialization awards (SBIR/STTR). Becoming an SCRA member is a prerequisite; applications are rolling and reviewed by assigned SCRA investment managers.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- State
- Amount range
- $50,000
- Realistic amount
- Most Startup Grant recipients receive $15,000–$25,000. Acceleration Grant recipients typically receive $30,000–$50,000.…
- Deadline
- Rolling — applications are invited by assigned SCRA investment manager after achieving SCRA Member Company status
- Status
- active
- States
- SC
- Payment model
- advance
Who qualifies
- Company must be an active SCRA Member Company (prerequisite for all grants)
- Principal office must be located in South Carolina OR at least 51% of payroll must be to South Carolina employees
- Startup Grant: early-stage technology-based company with innovative, commercializable technology
- Acceleration Grant: established early-stage company with strong intellectual property, experienced management, and demonstrated pathway to follow-on funding
- Federal Matching Grant: must have received a federal technology commercialization award (SBIR, STTR, or similar) within the applicable period
- Company must demonstrate large market opportunity, strong IP, and capacity to attract follow-on funding
Hard requirements
- Must be incorporated
- Location restriction: South Carolina (or 51% SC payroll)
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- R&D and technology development activities
- Prototype development and testing
- Market research and customer discovery
- IP filing (patents, trademarks)
- Regulatory approval activities
- Technical hiring (engineers, scientists)
Ineligible expenses
- Personal expenses
- Non-South-Carolina activities for companies without SC employee majority
- Activities unrelated to commercializing the specific technology
How to apply
-
1
Apply for SCRA Member Company status
Submit an application to become an SCRA Member Company at scra.org. SCRA evaluates technology innovation, commercialization potential, IP, management experience, and South Carolina nexus. This is the mandatory prerequisite for all grants.
~10 hrs
-
2
Be assigned an SCRA investment manager
Upon acceptance as an SCRA Member Company, you are assigned a dedicated investment manager who guides you through SCRA's support ecosystem and advises on grant eligibility.
~2 hrs
-
3
Receive grant invitation from your manager
Your SCRA investment manager evaluates your company's progress and invites eligible companies to submit a grant application. Grant type (Startup vs. Acceleration vs. Federal Match) is determined by your development stage.
~3 hrs
-
4
Submit grant application and receive award
Complete the grant application with your manager's guidance. Include technology development plan, use of funds, milestones, and commercialization pathway. Upon approval, funds are disbursed as a non-dilutive grant.
~8 hrs
SCRA membership is the gate — a strong membership application with defensible IP and a named lead investor or university sponsor dramatically increases approval odds. Apply to SCRA before pitching VCs so your SCRA manager can help position you.
Deadline & timing
Applications are rolling-basis. Eligible member companies are invited to apply by their assigned SCRA manager — you don't submit a cold application. The first step is applying for SCRA membership.
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.