School:Clemson University

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University-Industry collaboration

Clemson University's closest city of innovation is Greenville, SC, the home of many large and small manufacturing companies, mostly centered around the largest employer in the region, BMW.  A thriving manufacturing ecosystem related to the automotive industry is present at Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR), an advanced technology-research campus where education, research, and economic development collaborate to create a global venue for automotive innovation.

A second focus for industry collaboration is with the Greenville Health System at the Clemson University Bioengineering Innovation Campus (CUBEInC).  This facility offers a unique environment in which high-impact medical technology for disease management is developed alongside clinicians with goals to transfer technology from bench to bedside.  Within this facility, other biomedical companies partner with Clemson in the Biomedical Corporate Partner Program to preview novel Clemson technology and actively participate in shaping the biomedical work-force.

Regional and local economic development efforts

The state of South Carolina offers support for innovation efforts through SCLaunch, a venture funding source that provides seed stage capital for businesses across the state.  SCBIO is another South Carolina economic development organization that runs networking meetings, entrepreneurial courses, start-up boot camps, and advocates the state legislature on behalf of the state's life science industry.  Upstate Alliance also has a "bio" division that promotes the South Carolina Upstate region through operating companies.  SC Med TransTech is a program aimed at developing translatable medtech technology in the state that allows for grants for research aimed at the interests of Stryker Corp.