Want to meet 500 founders, entrepreneurs and small business owners all in one afternoon?
Well, Dig South can optimize your networking efficiency. That’s corporate speak for we can make that happen.
Join us on Friday, September 27 for a madcap celebration of entrepreneurship as Dig South and the Harbor Entrepreneur Center partner on Launchfest, followed by HEC’s Founders’ Ball.
500 of the region’s top entrepreneurs, founders and business owners will dive into interactive workshops, explore cutting-edge demonstrations, and connect with exhibitors pushing the boundaries of technology and business.
Launchfest will also offer live music, food trucks, cash bar and the epic Pitch Battle!
Want to sponsor, exhibit or host a workshop at Launchfest? We’d love to partner and make it a spectacular day for your business.
Apply here to:
Pitch | Speak | Exhibit | Partner
Launchfest is FREE to attend but limited to the first 500 guests who register. Grab your FREE ticket at event.gives/launchfest
Event Highlights:
2:00–5:30 PM – Launchfest
- Pitch Battle: Watch entrepreneurs pitch their groundbreaking ideas in a Shark Tank-style competition, with $5000 in prizes up for grabs.
- Exhibitors & Demonstrations: Discover innovative products and services from local businesses.
- Workshops: Participate in business and marketing workshops designed to help your venture succeed.
- Food Trucks & Cash Bar: Enjoy delicious food and refreshing beverages.
- Live Music & Games: Experience live entertainment and fun activities throughout the afternoon.
5:30–9:00 PM – Founders’ Ball (ticketed event)
- Founders’ Ball: Celebrate the achievements of the Lowcountry’s business community with a night of food, beverages, live entertainment, and surprises.
- Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Witness the presentation of the prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Why Attend?
Whether you own a small business or are considering launching one this year, LaunchFest offers something for everyone. From “mom & pops” to scalable startups, attendees will find valuable resources, networking opportunities, and inspiration. The event will feature a dynamic lineup of workshops, demonstrations, exhibitors, food trucks, live music, and games. Bring your ideas for brainstorming and join your fellow business owners, founders, and neighbors in this celebration of entrepreneurship and community.
About Dig South
Dig South is the South’s Tech Hub providing the contacts, content and capital for companies to launch, scale and succeed across the region. Launched in 2012 to connect the Souht’s most scalable startups to leading global brands, Dig South produces Dig South Tech Summit, Dig South Ai Summit, LaunchFest, and the year-round Dig Nation member community.
About the Harbor Entrepreneur Center
The Harbor Entrepreneur Center is a 501c3 dedicated to Collision! between entrepreneurs in the Lowcountry by providing events, resources, mentorship, and access to capital. The HEC’s annual Founders’ Ball celebrates the achievements of local entrepreneurs and their contributions to economic development.
Join us at LaunchFest and be part of a community that supports and celebrates innovation, creativity, and success. We look forward to seeing you there!
Get in touch to partner: mellonie@digsouth.com or grady@harborec.com
Seeking to expand innovation and boost startups in the Upstate, Dig Nation company member South Carolina Research Authority celebrated the opening of its newest office at the Greenville ONE Center July 9. Read more here.
SC Department of Commerce and SC Senator Lindsey Graham celebrate $45 million grant for South Carolina tech hub. The fund was awarded to the SC Nexus for Advanced Resilient Energy and is designed to improve and expand the production of critical technologies, create jobs in innovative industries, and strengthen U.S. economic competitiveness and national security. Full article here.
Two announcements from our company member McNair Institute:
💥Connecting students to startups:
The Connecting Students to Startups Program bridges the gap between ambitious students and dynamic startups. This unique initiative offers students the chance to work on cutting-edge projects, learn from industry leaders, and build a robust professional network. For startups, it’s an opportunity to tap into the energy, creativity, and skills of the next generation. Click to join
💥 StartupWind:
The McNair Institute is excited to provide the StartupWind Platform free of charge. This is a dynamic, online hub designed specifically to empower and support entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey, providing access to mentors, advisors, investors, partners, and educational resources.
The platform is a resource and a vibrant community of like-minded individuals passionate about innovation, creativity, and making a positive impact through entrepreneurship.
Email yawa@email.sc.edu to learn more.
Dig the South Tech News
Triangle Tweener Fund Q2 investments total $804k for 15 Triangle startups.
Wilmington software company Electronic Lab Logs raised $1.7 million from six investors, according to a Form D filed Wednesday with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
ECU spinout Claradele wins $40K in NCBiotech pitch event.
Raleigh e-commerce tech company, Amped, acquired by Intuit Mailchimp.
OpiAID + telehealth provider research use of wearables to monitor, reduce substance abuse.
Sparq Acquires Kingsmen Software (Charlotte NC), Leading U.S.-Based AI and Financial Digital Engineering Firm.
Dig the World Tech News
Samsung brings tech’s latest fashion to wearable technology with AI twists in new watch and ring.
Skild AI raises $300M to build a general-purpose, AI-powered brain for any robot.
Hedge funds turn to South Korea for next wave in AI.
Hundreds of Tech Companies Want to Cash In on Homeland Security Funding. Here’s Who They Are and What They’re Selling.
Microsoft relinquishes OpenAI board seat as antitrust scrutiny of AI partnerships intensifies.
AWS App Studio turns text into enterprise apps in minutes.
