SCRA takes on 2 more member companies in Columbia, Mount Pleasant

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CADchat and Saluda Manufacturing have joined the South Carolina Research Authority as member companies. Four others received new grant funding.

All SCRA member companies receive coaching, access to experts in SCRA’s Resource Partner Network, eligibility to apply for grant funding, and the potential to be considered for investment from SCRA’s investment affiliate, SC Launch Inc.

Saluda Manufacturing LLC is a Columbia-based advanced materials and manufacturing company working to change the way truck owners manage cargo with the Saluda Box. The Saluda Box is designed to help with cargo management by merging a bed-mounted toolbox with a bed cover that protects bed cargo and can be stored in the toolbox when not in use.

CADchat Inc. is a Mount Pleasant-based information technology startup that has designed a simple and secure 3D conferencing tool that enables designers, engineers, manufacturers and non-technical stakeholders to communicate about 3D files through easy viewing, sharing and video conferencing.

The new grant funding recipients are Borealis Global Advisory, DRAHOLA Technologies, FRD Accel and Health Evolve Technologies

Borealis Global Advisory LLC received a $50,000 Acceleration Grant. The Blythewood-based fintech startup is an SaaS platform designed to save significant time and money for investment managers. The platform allows managers to invest globally by leveraging advanced algorithms and visualization tools that provide world-leading, real-time and actionable country-level insights.

DRAHOLA Technologies Inc. received a $25,000 Project Development Fund Grant. The Rock Hill-based information technology startup is a full-service spatial software development and consulting company. DRAHOLA is the developer of yey’maps, a geospatial engineering company that uses flexible and intuitive cloud GIS solutions for the optimal implementation of geodata.

FRD Accel LLC received a $50,000 Federal Matching Grant. The Charleston-based life science company was formed by the Medical University of South Carolina’s Zucker Institute for Innovation Commercialization. Their technology, BabyStrong, consisting of an earpiece and controller, uses vagus nerve stimulation to promote feeding in newborns, especially premature babies, who have feeding difficulties. The BabyStrong system can eliminate the need for a gastric tube, resulting in earlier discharge from the hospital and reduced stress for the baby and family.

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Related article: SCRA takes on new members, awards grants

Health Evolve Technologies LLC received a $25,000 Project Development Fund Grant. The Columbia-based information technology company builds patient-centered technologies that provide comprehensive and simple tools to position patients as partners and equip providers with clinical insights needed for a personalized care experience.

Grant funding is made possible, in part, by the Industry Partnership Fund contributions. Contributors to the IPF receive a dollar-for-dollar state tax credit.

Chartered in 1983 by the state of South Carolina as a public, nonprofit corporation, South Carolina Research Authority was established to fuel the state’s innovation economy through the impact of its comprehensive services to technology-based startups, academia and industry. SCRA provides funding and support to accelerate the growth of academic startups; high-quality lab and administrative workspaces; facilitation and funding for partnerships between and among industry, startups, and academic institutions; assistance and funding for the relocation of technology-based companies to South Carolina; and coaching and funding for startups that may also receive investments from its affiliate, SC Launch Inc.