Current Companies

These companies are currently enrolled in the Incubator

ADVANCE CARE MANAGEMENT, LLC

Guides families through long-term care options.

Advance Care Management (ACM) is a community based, case management company that originated in Richland County. The company is currently focusing on community care for individuals who are eligible for nursing homes, but do not want to be admitted; individuals that are released from hospitals and require short-term or long-term care; and seniors and children of seniors who need in home assistance. ACM is still in its growth stage and is currently covering just 75% of the state of South Carolina. The company has also received invitations from the states of North Carolina and Georgia to start providing care management services in these states.

Tim Davis, the CEO of the company, is cautious about expanding too quickly and wants to make sure that the company maintains a sustainable growth strategy. There are 15 employees – one full time and fourteen as independent contractors working as case managers. Although ACM was profitable during the past 12 months, it still needs funding to enable contracting more case managers. Mr. Davis plans to continue growing and expanding the company to its full potential and add at least one additional full-time employee in the near term to handle administrative duties.

Tim Davis
info@advancedcaremgmt.com

A&Q NANODESIGNS, LLC

A&Q NanoDesigns, LLC is a research and development company focused on discovering and developing innovative biosensing, bioimaging, and labeling agents that provide people with tools to excel science and medicine with amazing clarity. The company currently offers a number of products, including: iON-Dyes™and BioDots™.

The company focuses on fostering deep engagement with university professors to develop prototypes with high commercial potential. Their academic partnerships and innovative approach allows A&Q NanoDesigns to be at the foremost in the recent advances of science. In partnership with the local academic and medical communities, the company seeks new scientific endeavors in nanotechnology to deliver leading products that will advance science and ultimately improve healthcare.

Andrew Lee

BLUSTER MONKEY

A company developing social networking website.

Bluster Monkey is the anti-social, rant and rave empowered network built to allow its users unedited, non-judgmental, and interactive conversation with perfect strangers, anonymously.

This website is similar to the standard social network except that upon sign in you are given a network of strangers either from a local or worldwide network to argue with, whine to, ridicule and throw rotten tomatoes at. A big factor in getting the website up and running cost effectively would be to work with the University of South Carolina and its students to offload some of the programming and design elements, thus allowing them some real world experience and opportunities for work even while working towards their undergrad or graduate degrees.

William Gilbert Jr.
williamdgilbert01@gmail.com

BRIDGE TO LIFE, LTD

Advancing Organ Transplant Technology

Bridge to life, an SCLaunch portfolio company, commercializes University of Wisconsin organ preservation solutions, the gold standard and most widely used organ preservation solutions in the world, under the trademark, Belzer UW. (Belzer UW is a trademark of the Wisconsin Alumni research Foundation used under an exclusive license granted to Bridge to Life Ltd.) Belzer UW Cold Storage Solution is used in the flushing and cold storage of kidney, liver and pancreas organs at the time of procurement from an organ donor in preparation for storage, transportation and the eventual transplantation into an organ recipient.

Bridge to Life now sells its solution products in most of the leading transplant markets worldwide and has grown to be a valued partner to many of the largest organ procurement and transplant centers in the US, Europe, and other parts of the world. THe company sets itself apart through a strong focus on service and collaboration with surgeons and other transplant professionals. Thee collaborations have led Bridge to Life to introduce and product line of novel cannulas and tubing used in organ procurement. The final design of these cannula and tubing products was the result of direct input from surgeons and other organ procurement professionals. Bridge to Life also continues to explore emerging science and preservation technologies with the goal of introducing other new products into the global marketplace, and improving the overall outcome of organ transplantation.

John Bruens
j.bruens@b2ll.com

CAROLINE GUITAR COMPANY, LLC

Analog design engineering firm producing distortion pedals for guitars.

Caroline Guitar Company, LLC is an analog design firm producing guitar distortion pedals. The company is committed to providing its customers top notch quality audio. With its guitar distortion pedal now fully developed, Mr. Philippe Herdon, the President of the company, is currently working on developing its distribution network and brand awareness. He believes that Caroline Guitar’s main advantage on the market is the great sound quality of its product, its flexibility, and the company’s ability to quickly respond to client requests and needs. The company can easily customize distortion pedals to its customer’s specifications, quickly produce and deliver them. The main challenge currently faced by Caroline Guitar is its inability to keep up the production with the current demand of the distortion pedals. Mr. Herdon needs an estimated $50,000 to streamline the assembly of the product and subcontract some parts of the assembly in order to lower the cost. The company’s target market is the pedal board industry as well as large music conglomerates.

Philippe Herndon
philippe.herndon@carolineguitar.com

CRETEMATT, LLC

CRETEMATT is the developer of an innovative patented no mix lightweight concrete paving system designed for a variety of concrete projects such as installing sidewalks, patios, and walkways. Key trends in the market for building products have been the increase of product innovations; development of new products; and improvements to existing materials. CRETEMATT is continuously researching and developing paving systems for commercial uses which are not only cost effective, but are highly efficient and sustainable.

DESIGN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

A software design company offering software applications for traffic signal asset management and traffice engineering.

Design Information Technology (Design IT) is an innovative software design company that offers software applications for traffic signal asset management and traffic engineering.  The Company is headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina and will provide its products and services throughout the U.S.  The Company’s software solutions represent an affordable means of increasing business productivity and efficiency while managing growth.  The software applications are delivered through the Software as a Service (SaaS) model in order to make the software affordable to organizations of any size.

Design IT will provide two main applications including a traffic signal asset management tool and a sign asset management tool for traffic engineering organizations.  The software tools help engineering organizations know when the last time a signal was serviced and what services have been performed on each signal.  This allows for safer and more reliable traffic signals which prolongs their lifespan and diminishes overall operational expenses for the organizations.

Design IT sells two software applications for the management of traffic assets.  In addition, it plans on selling advertising space on these applications for vendors that would like to target these same customers.

Patty Langland
plangland@designinfotech.com

DIRECT MEASUREMENTS, INC.

A start-up company specializing in the development of sensors.

Direct Measurements, Inc. (DMI) develops sensors for a multi-billion dollar global market.  Based on technology protected by US and International patents, DMI produces sensors and software for mechanical and structural-life enhancement; an essential need in aerospace, energy, infrastructure, and numerous other vertical markets, as it is estimated that structural failure represents approximately 4% of the GDP.

DMI recognizes that company success is highly dependent on highly educated and skilled engineering talent. One of the company principals holds the title University of South Carolina Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering and supervises graduate student MS and Ph.D. thesis topics. DMI currently employs three USC Mechanical Engineering graduates. One completed the MS degree in the fall 2010 and expected graduation dates of the other students are May and August 2011. DMI maintains employment for these students following graduation. In this manner DMI expects to remain an integral part of education and employment of USC engineering graduates.

Bill Ranson
branson@directmeasure.com

DINOBRITE

A start-up company that makes videos for its clients.

Dinobrite sells conceptual creativity and video production capabilities to its clients. Although the company provides a service to its customers but, at the end of each project there is a product, and essentially, the video is what the customer pays for, not the service. Dinobrite could accurately be described as a mix of a service company as well as manufacturing company. Each of the video created by the company is unique. Ultimately, the need for something unique is what binds all the customers that have used, and will use, Dinobrite. Unlike a traditional video production company, Dinobrite doesn’t merely show up and shoot video; instead the company works with the client to understand the purpose and need for the video(s), and then apply creativity and technical knowledge to every step of the process (brainstorming, writing, pre-production, shooting, and editing). Dinobrite’s primary markets are businesses and organizations. The size of the primary market client varies from large organization (a corporation, university, professional sports team), to small organization (simple organizational structure, 5-40 employees), to individuals (freelancers, special service providers, local musicians).

Joey Thompson
dinobrite@gmail.com

DPX LABS, LLC

Making chemical extraction processes more efficient by using company owned and patented extraction products.

DPX Labs, LLC is focusing on manufacturing disposable pipette extraction products – a patented device that enables rapid and efficient chemical extraction processes. The major competitive advantage of the company lies in the unique properties of its products. These innovative products make the chemical processes quicker as compared with other products already present in the market. This enables the clients to save time and money setting the company ahead of its competitors.

The company owns the patents for this technology and has been selling and marketing its products for approximately 12 months. DPX Labs’ target market consists of drug testing labs (forensic and clinical) and food safety labs (government and private). The company is reaching its potential clientele by presenting at scientific conventions as well as offering in-lab demonstrations. DPX’s constantly increasing revenue stream is projected to reach the $1,000,000 mark in the next year. Dr. Bill Brewer (professor of Chemistry, USC), is the CEO of DPX Labs.

Dr. Bill Brewer
bill.brewer@dpxlabs.com

EASY HR WEB

EasyHRweb™ specializes in web based software for solutions to client needs from applicant tracking, employment fulfillment, new employee on boarding, benefit enrollment and benefit management. These solutions are designed to meet specific client’s needs for all aspects of employee self service and Human Resource support for employees. We ensure the most effective and innovative products possible for each organization and their employees through our award winning product design.

By designing solutions that are formatted to each client’s needs and their individual look, we are able to ensure the most effective and supportive service possible for each organization and their employees.

Joseph Stone:  jstone@easyhrweb.com

GANAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC

I.T. staffing and consulting company focusing on quality, accuracy and cost effectiveness.

Ganal Technologies, LLC provides IT staffing and consulting for application development, as well as operational and maintenance activities. Ganal also specializes in the implementation of CMMI, IEE, ISO and other standards used to ensure quality products and services. With its unique focus on quality, Ganal Technologies created its IT Concierge Service to provide effective feedback mechanics and identify gaps and opportunities to improve processes and practices. The company is currently focusing on organizations in South Carolina, but plans to expand into the Southeastern US.

Lana Gourdine
president@ganaltechnologies.com

GLYCORE, LLC

A University of South Carolina affiliated biomedical company.

GlyCore, Ltd. Co. (“GLC”) is a company that will provide high quality prototypes with high commercial potential based on R&D efforts stemming from academic research at the University of South Carolina.  GLC is registered as a limited lilability company in the State of South Carolina.

GLC focuses on developing nanosized sensors and novel multi-spectral health monitoring technologies, which specifically address current concerns and needs of the biomedical community.  GLC actively seeks funding from government organizations, angel funds, and private investors to develop these nanotechnology driven prototypes.  GLC plans to license the patents derived from these prototype developments to medium and large biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies worldwide.

Andrew Lee
leela@mailbox.sc.edu

GREENE STREET DESIGNS, LLC

South Carolina based professional web design company.

Greene Street Designs, LLC focuses on using a variety of services and platforms to create the best suitable design layouts for its customer or clientele’s marketing needs. Its services include website design, graphics and print, and website management. Greene Street Designs strives to outshine its competition by providing unique and creative designs as well as prompt customer service. The company’s target market ranges from start-up businesses to existing small to mid-size businesses in need of monthly website maintenance services. Justin Gerwe, the CEO and Lead Designer, is the only current employee of the company, but he works with a network of contract designers, programmers and photographers. We plan to grow this company further and create more website related business under the umbrella of Greene Street Designs.

Justin Gerwe
justingerwe@gmail.com

HUMAN FACTOR TECHNOLOGY

Human Factor Technology is in the development stage in designing an augmented reality training system for fire fighters.  The system consists of a portable touch screen computer used by the instructor to simulate the visual and auditory environments experienced in a live fire situation.  The trainees are fitted with a set of specially designed goggles, worn under the respirator and a wireless controller that is receiving commands sent by the instructor. Simulation scenarios include varying visual depths of smoke from 0 to 20 feet, explosion effects both visual and auditory, electrical arcing, and sound effects such as glass breaking, saws and pumper trucks.

Frank Witt: fwitt@ifrsite.com

INNOVATIVE GLOBAL SUPPLY

Innovative Global Supply, LLC (IGS) is a U.S. based company offering nutritional and health care products that conform to the highest standards. We deliver expertly formulated supplements that cover every major nutritional category from vitamins and supplements to highly targeted nutraceuticals. Our products are strictly manufactured in a cGMP certified and FDA licensed facility under industry leading quality assurance procedures.

In addition to our commercial customers, IGS is currently working with various organizations (governments, NGO’s, and the private sector) on a global level to make available our supplementation and nutritional products. Not only are IGS products available in the U.S., we have a commercial footprint in Africa, Europe, Central and South America, with a commitment to improve lives in lasting ways throughout the world.

At IGS, we value scientific research, clinical studies, manufacturing and quality assurance processes to offer you products of the highest quality. We are committed to enhancing wellness through innovative solutions.

Cherod Webber: cherod.webber@igs-americas.com

NEW IMI, LLC

New IMI, LLC (International Medical Innovations) is a Drug Discovery and Development Company engaged in the commercialization and out-licensing of high-value prescription therapeutics involving new compositions of matter and proprietary formulations.

Bill Kirkland
wdkirkland@gmail.com

NuCORP SOLUTIONS

NuCorp Solutions is a comprehensive multidisciplinary organization providing practical client solutions with strengths that include Information Technology, Construction/Economic Development and Management Development and Consulting services.

Karen Jenkins: kjenkins@nucorpsolutions.com

PARTICLE SYSTEMS, LLC

A start-up company that develops and sells educational games.

Particle Systems develops and sells educational games that are designed to educate people about natural phenomena through a virtual world. The company views gaming as a new form of education. The goal of the company is to stimulate, challenge, and entertain gamers, students, and any person interested in understanding our world. The company plans to design an interactive, online game that connects players across the world in various single and multiplayer games.

Particle Systems, LLC was established in June 2011. Currently, the company is working on its first game Immunis – an immunology game. David Corso is the COO of the company.

David Corso
davidwcorso@gmail.com

PINNACLE TECHNOLOGIES

SENTRY TELEMATICS, LLC

Sentry Telematics, LLC provides wireless mobile data collection and highly automated communication techniques, equipment and services. The company offers wireless convergent services that combine personal communications systems, Wi-Fi, GSM, GPRS and GPS in the collection and control of data from remote locations. The company provides end-to-end applications in asset and vehicle tracking, remote control of mobile assets, homes and personal security. Current Boating Safety products allow the accurate measurement of energy storage and generation as well as environmental conditions including barometric pressure, temperature and relative humidity. Development is currently underway on new products to facilitate wild life management and research, tracking criminals and many others. The company is positioned to serve international clients with solutions controlling the distribution of assets, better asset management and quick response to security interruptions and equipment problems.

CEO:  Andy Cook
andy@theboatsafe.com

SEQUENTUS, LLC

Consulting company dealing with business operations and intellectual property protection.

Sequentus, LLC focuses on offering consulting services for various aspects of business operations in today’s global and diverse marketplace. Many companies nowadays face mutigenerational, multicultural, and multinational challenges. Sequentus seeks to teach its clients how to not only effectively deal with these challenges, but also turn them into strengths. The company has determined to bring information technology into the business process of engineering organizations and offer corporate development services for companies looking to protect their intellectual property. The company also trains staff on how to properly plan and deliver projects, insuring that customer expectations are met. Sequentus is currently working on obtaining funding that will allow it to bring in a more seasoned manager to take over the lead of its student staff. Operations are on hold until the required funding comes through. Mr. Tom Militello is President.

Tom Militello
tom.militello@gmail.com

SIDAR TECH, LLC

Sidar Tech, LLC is invested in finding early biomarkers related to cancers, as often early diagnosis of cancer biomarkers often lead to more effective treatment and higher survival rates. Cancer, one of the most prevalent diseases, is a broad group of various diseases with complex origins and the characteristic uncontrolled cell growth.

Sidar has partnered with a local South Carolina company, DPX labs, to develop a kit for cancer biomarker profiling by using disposable pipette extraction system. Sidar is leveraging its technical expertise in chemically tagging of cancer cells and using DPX labs platform technology to package the kits in pipette tips (1 mL or 5 mL volume) for rapid biomarker isolation and analysis.

Andrew Lee: lee@aqnano.com

SYNAPSIN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC

A pharmaceutical company working towards treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

Synapsin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is developing therapeutic strategies for the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and spinal cord injury. In 2006, Dr. Denis Dorsey, the founder, discovered a compound that reverses Alzheimer’s disease in the animal population. Since then, he has been working to find strategic partners to license his discovery and bring it to market. The compound is currently in the preclinical phase and the paperwork for Phase I is underway. Dr. Dorsey estimates that it would cost approximately $3 – $4 million to bring this cure to the market and a conservative estimate of the annual revenue is $8 – $10 billion annually. Synapsin owns patents domestically and in 16 nations.

Denis Dorsey
ddorsey@synapsin.com

SYSEDA, INC.

Designing collaborative engineering tools through cloud-computing.

SysEDA Inc. is developing cloud-based collaborative engineering tools for power systems design and analysis. SysEDA’s flagship product, Virtual Test Bed (VTB), is focused on the simulation of power systems for electric ships, but the concept can be applied to other types of electric vehicles in the future. SysEDA VTB is based on technology developed by Dr. Roger Dougal, professor of electrical engineering at USC, and is licensed by the USC Research Foundation. While there are other companies offering graphical and visual simulation software, SysEDA’s competitive advantage comes from its ability to perform mechanical, thermal and electrical simulations at the same time. The software is nearing its final development stage. It is currently usable but needs to complete final testing and the software needs to be moved to a cloud computing environment before it can be sold commercially. With 9 current employees, the company is working on fulfilling a grant project for the US Navy and plans on completing the commercialization process of its software in the next 12 to 18 months. It is estimating a capital need of approximately $5 million to reach a revenue generating phase. Once the development of its product is completed, it plans on marketing its software to large factories (e.g. BMW, Boeing), US Armed Forces, and power companies. The COO of the company is Mr. Kelly Truesdale.

Kelly Truesdale
kelly@syseda.com

TEKK SOLUTIONS, LLC

An I.T. management and training company aimed at maintaining the technical infrastructure of companies.

Tekk Solutions, LLC is an information management and training company focused on offering its services to small to medium sized businesses. Tekk Solutions offers around the clock services to owners who want to focus their attention on developing their business and not on their company’s technical infrastructure.

Tekk Solutions also offers training through after-school programs, teaching students to understand and use technology. The two partners of Tekk Solutions, Mr. Ricky West and Mr. Chris Williams, were recently granted accreditation to issue training certificates for their computer training courses.

Tekk Solutions’ future plans include the creation of a computer laboratory and further development their “College PC Geeks” service line. The computer lab would allow Tekk Solutions to offer its services to individuals desiring to take computer training courses but who don’t have the means to buy their own computer. “PC Geeks” is a service targeting college students needing technical support. Tekk Solutions has found this service to be in high demand.

Ricky West
ricky@tekksolution.com

THE WEATHERS GROUP, INC.

A strategy consulting firm that helps its client companies to develop leaders.

The Weathers Group, Inc.  focuses on developing leaders and strengthening organizations through relationship-based consulting. The company designs curriculum for its client-companies to train their employees become better leaders. The Weathers Group also provides and facilitates strategic planning workshops. The main target group of the company consists of government and non-profit organizations and agencies. Mr. Charles Weathers is the president.

Charles Weathers
cweathers@weathersgroup.com

TRANSFER POINT, INC.

Biotechnology company specializing in dietary supplements.

Transfer Point, Inc. is a privately held, dietary supplement company offering best-in-their-class products. The company is focused on quality, not quantity. It is committed to offering only products that they can offer in a superior purity and potency to anyone else on the market.

The company started in 1998 and joined the USC Columbia Technology Incubator in 2010. The company is currently working on expanding its international sales and is seeking approximately $150, 000 – $250,000 to successfully do so.

The target market includes wholesale distributors, pharmacies, doctors, naturopaths, alternative healing professionals, and professionals working with cancer patients. With 3 full time and 2 part time employees, the company has gross revenue of approximately $2 million and a profit of approximately $110,000. Ms. Marilyn Becker is the President.

Marilyn Becker
mbecker@transferpoint.com

VARNA INTERNATIONAL, INC.

International music event management company.

Varna International, Inc. is focused on conducting large scale music festivals in Europe and the Mediterranean, as well as workshops for training musicians. Its target audience includes musicians and all lovers of music looking for a culture filled experience. The company is a full service festival organizer, handling everything from the music being played to the guided tours of the cities. In a climate where most festivals are a capella, Varna sets itself apart by assembling an orchestra for each of its festivals, guaranteeing an excellent musical production. The company’s future development will consist of exploring new markets, which they estimate to require approximately $50,000 per area (e.g. China), and further developing its Songs of Life festival. Songs of Life is a thematic festival with a humanitarian note.  Mr. Kalin Tchonev is the President.

Kalin Tchonev
varnaworkshop@yahoo.com

USA eSHOP

They are establishing a new internet retail site in Europe that will exclusively feature Made in the USA products. Their goal is to establish new export markets for small to mid-size domestic companies and introduce the rest of the world to the unique, regional flavors and styles of the United States. They handle all export, distribution, and fulfillment logistics, keeping the process as simple as possible for our suppliers.”

The web store in Europe will be called “WishBoxUSA.com“. They should have the site up for viewing in a couple of weeks. After our success in Europe, we plan to cookie-cut it for Japan, Middle East and Australia.

John Wilkinson: john@wishboxusa.com

VOTERHEADS, LLC

Voterheads, LLC is a company that promotes citizen empowerment. It makes finding out about and interacting with elected officials as easy as finding out about and interacting with friends and family on Facebook. Voterheads has developed a proprietary software platform aimed at informing and involving citizens in government issues in a simple, straightforward way and has a utility for anyone that is eligible to vote for an elected official in a representative government. The website application that will be accessible from PCs, laptops, tablets, and mobile devices. The company leverages the widespread frustration with government by lowering the bar regarding the level of effort it takes to be effective in influencing the City, County, and School Board.

CEO: Karl McCollester
karlmccollester@voterheads.com

52 APPS

52apps is a software development partnership. Each week we develop one high-quality app based on ideas from the community. Users are invited to pitch their ideas at ‘Idea Day’ events, and if we like the idea we’ll turn it into an app and give a royalty to the creator.

Their team consists of five computer scientists, three seasoned entrepreneurs, one graphic designer, and one mechanical engineer. They draw from a wide variety of experiences and backgrounds. They make use of this large perspective to make the most of every project, and build beautiful highly functional apps.

Chris Thibault: chris@52apps.com