Join us for a quick read to discover how and where we’re deploying SSBCI capital across South Carolina. Learn about the founders driving innovation, the impact we’re catalyzing, and the latest updates on our investment journey!

#InvestSC

South Carolina was awarded $101 million through the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) program. InvestSC was then formed by the South Carolina Jobs-Economic Development Authority (JEDA) to serve as the Designated Investor Group for South Carolina. Our mission is to stimulate the economy of South Carolina through matching capital investments of accredited investors.

As South Carolina’s premier equity program, InvestSC is responsible for deploying $51 million in equity investments into locally headquartered startups. A complementary SSBCI loan participation program is responsible for deploying the remaining $50 million.

In 2025, South Carolina’s SSBCI ecosystem continued to expand with the launch of the South Carolina Health Innovation Fund (SCHIF), an SSBCI-backed fund established in partnership with MUSC. SCHIF is focused on advancing health and life sciences innovation across the state, strengthening the pathway from research and clinical insight to commercialization and scalable growth.

InvestSC By the Numbers:

• Direct Investment Capital Deployed: $7.575M

• Direct Investment Capital Committed: $2.25M (pipeline)

• Fund Investments Deployed: $5.0M

• Companies Supported: 12

• Industries Represented: Life Sciences & Digital Health, Enterprise SaaS, AI & Data Analytics, FinTech, CPG

Latest Ventures Backed by InvestSC:

Here’s where our capital is directly fueling innovation and growth most recently.

Portfolio Announcements:

• Growth: In H2 2025, InvestSC added three new companies to the portfolio.

• Follow-On Activity: White Leaf Provisions — $1.0M; Darby — $750K

• Catalyst by Beemok: $950K in matching capital was deployed alongside Catalyst by Beemok award recipients.

Are you a founder based in South Carolina looking for funding to grow your business?

InvestSC’s Direct Investment Program provides the matched capital and support you need to scale your vision. Be sure to check out our FAQ guide for qualifications.

Yellow Ventures is a boutique investment management and advisory firm specializing in fund structure, compliance, capital management, and deployment, trusted by the U.S. Treasury to manage SSBCI capital across multiple states.

The team combines thoughtful investment execution with strategic oversight—sourcing opportunities, conducting rigorous diligence, and ensuring that public funds are deployed efficiently and in alignment with both federal and state guidelines.

With experience across public–private programs and a focus on disciplined capital deployment, Yellow Ventures brings a blend of venture insight and operational execution to InvestSC’s mission of catalyzing innovation across South Carolina.

As InvestSC’s contracted investment manager, Yellow Ventures is responsible for guiding investments from initial diligence through closing and post-investment oversight, ensuring each deployment reflects both policy intent and private-market rigor.

South Carolina Health Innovation Fund (SCHIF) Now Live

In August 2025, the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) announced the launch of two new venture funds totaling $30 million to accelerate health innovation and economic growth across the state. One of those funds — the South Carolina Health Innovation Fund (SCHIF) — was created through a strategic partnership between MUSC Health and InvestSC, South Carolina’s SSBCI equity administrator.

SCHIF is a $10 million evergreen investment fund focused on health innovation companies committed to growing and operating in South Carolina. Made possible through MUSC’s support and InvestSC’s SSBCI participation, the fund aims to strengthen the state’s life sciences and healthcare innovation ecosystem.

The fund will prioritize opportunities that align with MUSC’s mission to improve health outcomes and deliver value through innovation while driving job creation, commercial growth, and long-term economic impact in the state.

As part of this initiative, InvestSC’s participation reflects our commitment to deploying SSBCI capital in ways that generate broader leverage across South Carolina’s innovation economy.

Emerging Fund Managers - Interested in Partnering with Us?

If you manage a fund aligned with InvestSC’s mission and are interested in collaboration, we’d love to hear from you! Be sure to check out our FAQ guide for qualifications.

Catalyst by Beemok: Matching Capital in Action

Through the Catalyst by Beemok pitch competition, InvestSC partnered with Beemok Capital to support early-stage companies advancing innovation across South Carolina. As part of this collaboration, InvestSC matched Beemok’s award commitments, deploying SSBCI capital alongside private support to help promising founders take their next steps.

In total, InvestSC provided $950K in matching capital across six Catalyst award recipients, reinforcing our role as a co-investor focused on capital efficiency, disciplined execution, and ecosystem collaboration.

Catalyst award recipients supported by InvestSC include:

• Torpedo Bio

• Eat G.A.N.G.S.T.E.R.

• WODA Bag

• Volare Boats

• Horse Spot

• Charleston Music

Strengthening SC’s Venture Ecosystem—Together.

Through partnerships with local investor groups, we're creating a stronger foundation for innovation, growth, and opportunity in South Carolina.