
EARLY-BIRD BADGE
Dig South Tech Summit:
New Frontiers
$499 – General (Rises April 1)
VIP-INVESTOR BADGE
Dig South Tech Summit:
New Frontiers
$599 – Investor/VIP (Rises April 1)
Premium All-access badge
Dig South Tech Summit + Charleston Tech Week
$999 – Dig Elite Badge
2025 Summit Theme
New Frontiers
IN TECHNOLOGY, BUSINESS & PERSONAL GROWTH
Yes, Dig South Tech Summit is where leading brands meet the South’s most scalable startups. It’s where you will find the network, knowledge, and know-how to thrive. And, where founders, executives, investors, and innovators descend on glorious Charleston to get deals done.
Bonus: Dig South Tech Summit will anchor the inaugural Charleston Tech Week, April 24–May 2, 2025.
Where founders strive, opportunity thrives – unleash your geek!
WHAT’S NEW?
$1M PITCH OPPORTUNITY
Co-Sponsor: Charleston Angel Partners
Dig South’s Wild Pitch winner will pitch for a $1,000,000 investment prize at the Startup World Cup in Silicon Valley.
A CRYPTIC EVENING WITH NYT BEST-SELLER BENJAMIN WALLACE
Sponsor: info@digsouth.com
TICKETS
Charleston Literary Festival and Dig South partner to bring you Benjamin Wallace, author of The Mysterious Mr. Nakamoto: A Fifteen-Year Quest to Unmask the Secret Genius Behind Crypto.
“MAN VS MACHINE”
LIVE SKETCHNOTING
Sponsor: info@digsouth.com
Human artists compete with AI-generated image creators to produce sketchnotes of Summit sessions.
CHS WOMEN IN TECH MENTOR MATCHUP
Sponsor: info@digsouth.com
TICKETS
Charleston Women in Tech partner to match founders, entrepreneurs and tech workers with successful mentors.
INVESTOR-VIP SHINDIG
Sponsor: info@digsouth.com
TICKETS
Meet angels, VCs, LPs, private equity and grant opportunities at Charleston’s most essential investor meetup.
NEW VENUE:
ALBERT SIMONS CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Shining from a $50M renovation and featuring 3 state-of-the-art theaters plus a gorgeous Atrium, the Simons Center is spectacular.
SUMMIT TRACKS
Explore revenue-generating advancements in the cutting-edge cosmos of technology

AI, ML & Data Analytics: Dive into the world of AI, where robots aren’t just taking over—they’re making our lives smarter, faster, and easier. AI is the co-pilot we need, from deep learning to digital assistants.

Service & Hospitality: Experience how AI is turning customer service into customer wow! From personalized experiences to robot concierges, tech is serving up innovation with a side of southern charm.

Healthcare: Get ready to learn how AI-driven diagnostics, wearable tech, and telemedicine are revolutionizing how we stay healthy—and maybe even live forever!

Supply Chain, Transportation & Energy: Whether it’s drones delivering your dinner or AI optimizing global logistics, this track explores the tech that’s ensuring everything gets from point A to point B at the speed of innovation.

Sales & Marketing: Say goodbye to boring campaigns! This track is all about leveraging AI and data analytics to craft marketing strategies that are more engaging than a cat on a unicycle.

Dig South’s Wild Pitch: The South’s Capitol of Capital. Pitch for a chance to win a $1,000,000 investment prize at Pegasus Tech Ventures Startup World Cup. Take the stage and show why you’re the Summit’s smartest investment. Apply here.

Cybersecurity & Defense: As we boldly go where no data has gone before, this track ensures your secrets stay safe in the digital universe. Explore the latest in cyber armor and defense tech.

30-Second AI Film Fest: Seen the latest AI video generation tools? Join CharlestonHacks to compete and showcase your creativity. CharlestonHacks collaborates with Dig South on this first-of-its-kind event as part of Charleston Tech Week.

Fintech, Legal & Blockchain: Money and law are getting a futuristic facelift. Blockchain, smart contracts, and AI-driven legal tools are rewriting the rules of finance and justice—no time travel required (but maybe trekcoin.)

Push boundaries. Stretch. Grow. Invent the future at Dig South Tech Summit, May 1-2, 2025. Contact us for opportunities: info@digsouth.com


$1,000,000 Wild Pitch
with startup world cup
Dig South’s Wild Pitch is the South’s Capitol of Capital. Take the stage to show why you’re the Summit’s smartest investment, and win the chance to pitch for $1,000,000 in Silicon Valley. Don’t forget to secure one of our limited Startup Alley exhibitor spaces today.
Email info@digsouth.com for details.


Enter Wild Pitch for a chance to win a
$1,000,000 Investment Prize
at Pegasus Tech Ventures Startup World Cup


A CRYPTIC EVENING WITH AUTHOR BENJAMIN WALLACE
Charleston Literary Festival and Dig South partner to bring you Benjamin Wallace, author of The Mysterious Mr. Nakamoto: A Fifteen-Year Quest to Unmask the Secret Genius Behind Crypto. This session is a thrilling investigation into the mysterious identity of Bitcoin’s creator and a deep dive into crypto’s utopian origin story—from The NYT bestselling-author of The Billionaire’s Vinegar.
Get Inspired
Featured Speakers

Baron
Jordan
Chief Product Officer, Supply Chain at CONA Services
A Coca-Cola System IT Services Company

Carrie
Jaquith
Global Head of Product, Abaxx Technologies

Benjamin
Wallace
New York Times Best-Selling Author, The Mysterious Mr. Nakamoto: A 15-Year Quest to Unmask the Secret Genius Behind Crypto

Krissa
WATRY
Co-Founder & CEO
DYNEPIC

Wes
Carter
President,
Atlantic Packaging
Founder, A New Earth Project

JASON
williamson
Executive Director,
VP Strategic Clients Group,
Oracle

Matthew
Pollard
Founder, Rapid Growth® CoachBestselling Author of The Introvert’s Edge Series

Jackie
McKelvey
Founder / CEO
Thrive Data

Matthew
GOugh
Managing Partner
Spindle

Thomas
McCarthy-Howe
Chief Technology Officer, STROLID, Co-author, vCon Working Group

Amy
Jordan
Senior Director of Business Development & Operations,
CNN Sports

Jonathan
Yantis
Co-founder & CEO,
QuicksortRx

G. Michael
Rentz Jr.
Chief Revenue Officer,
Gnosis Freight

Nancy
Trevanian Tsai, MD
Medical Director, Kandu Health,
Clinical Professor (Neurosurgery), MUSC

Carter
Kennedy
CEO & Co-founder,
SoloInsight

Mario
Roxas
Director, Research & Development,
Thorne Research

Stanfield
GRAY
Founder & CEO
DIG SOUTH

DAVID
boardman
Founder & CEO
EVERYPOINT.IO & STOCKPILE REPORTS

AUSTIN
MCCOMBS
CO-Founder & CEO GNOSIS FREIGHT

Stacey
Bailey
Senior Consultant, The Intention Collective

Thomas
Heath
Founder & Personal Branding Specialist, Thomas Heath Advisors

Juan
Garzón
Managing Director, Innovate Charlotte

Grady
Johnson
Executive Director, The Harbor Entrepreneur Center

AJ
Trelease
Founder
CareHome Health Solutions

JEANNELLE
PERKINS
CEO
HARUKI

JEFF
PULVER
Chief Evangelist Officer,
The vCon Foundation

ROB
cooley
CEO, Nuream

Andrew
BROOKS
Co-Founder
Contextual Software

sade
SHOFIDIYA
Founder & CEO
BEEnevolent

anatoly
shilman
Co-Founder & CEO
CogBias AI

JEREMEY
BERMAN
CEO
Founder & President, GOODUNITED
Dig SOUTH TECH SUMMIT Agenda
New Frontiers in Technology, Business & Personal Growth
THURSDAY
5.1.25
4:00 – 5:00pm
Charleston Women in Tech “Mentor Matchup” at Dig South Tech Summit,
Hosted by College of Charleston, Cougar Mall, 44 George Street. First 50 guests are Free to attend. Must register HERE.
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*2-day Summit badges include the Mentor Matchup.
Welcome to the 2025 Dig South Tech Summit, anchoring the 1st Charleston Tech Week! The Charleston Women in Tech Mentor Matchup is a brilliant opportunity to connect with tech talent and innovators across the region. Register to find or become a mentor. Hosted on the gorgeous outdoor Cougar Mall at College of Charleston, 44 George Street, the weather will be spectacular. Parking is available in two garages, one on the corner of St. Philip and Calhoun Streets, and the other on the corner of St. Philip and George St, and off street. Rideshare encouraged.
Tickets are included with 2-day Summit. Limited supply.
4:00 – 5:00pm
Investor-VIP Shindig at Dig South
Hosted by College of Charleston, Randolph Hall, 44 George Street. Tickets included with 2-day Summit badges. Sold separately to guests and the general public. Limited supply.
BUY HERE
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Meet all 20 companies joining the Wild Pitch, regional and national investors, sponsors and other VIPs.
5:00 – 7:00pm
Upload Charleston Welcome Shindig Hosted by College of Charleston, Cougar Mall, 44 George Street
Presented by Charleston County Economic Development
Tickets included with 2-day Summit badges. Sold separately to guests and the general public. Limited supply.
BUY HERE
Show more
2-day Summit badges include one ticket to the Upload Shindig.
Purchase: GUEST TICKETS (includes beer, wine and light bites)
Welcome to the 2025 Dig South Tech Summit, anchoring the 1st Charleston Tech Week! Upload Charleston is our signature welcome event, hosted on the gorgeous outdoor Cougar Mall at College of Charleston, 44 George Street. Parking is available in two garages, one on the corner of St. Philip and Calhoun Streets, and the other on the corner of St. Philip and George St, and off street. Rideshare encouraged.
Tickets are included with 2-day Summit badges and also sold separately to guests and the general public. Very limited supply.
Buy your guest tickets here
6:00 – 9:00pm
30-Second AI Film Fest
Hosted by College of Charleston, Simons Center for the Arts, Room 180; Presented by CharlestonHacks and part of Charleston Tech Week.
Entry included with 2-day Summit badges. Separate registration for the general public. Limited supply.
Show more
7:30 – 8:30pm
A Cryptic Evening with New York Times-Bestselling Author Benjamin Wallace
Hosted by College of Charleston, Emmett Robinson Theatre, 161 Calhoun Street. Presented by Charleston Literary Festival & Dig South, a Charleston Tech Week jam
Tickets included with 2-day Summit badges. Sold separately to guests and the general public. Limited supply.
BUY HERE
Show more
“The Mysterious Mr. Nakamoto could be the best mystery story of the past twenty years.”—James Patterson
New York Times bestselling author Benjamin Wallace joins us to present his brand new book The Mysterious Mr. Nakamoto—a gripping investigation into the elusive creator of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto, and the cryptocurrency’s origins.
Blending investigative journalism with a mystery-thriller narrative, Wallace traces Nakamoto’s sudden emergence, revolutionary white paper, and enigmatic disappearance—leaving behind an untouched eleven-figure fortune.
As Bitcoin evolved from a libertarian dream to a speculative frenzy, Wallace hunts for its creator across the globe, exploring suspects ranging from cryptographers to the NSA. A riveting exploration of genius, secrecy, and the unintended consequences of technological revolution, this book unravels one of the greatest modern mysteries.
***Benjamin Wallace will be available after the event to meet the audience and sign and personalize books.
***Books are available for purchase with a ticket. Books will also be for sale on-site at the event thanks to our bookstore partner, Philosophers & Fools.
FRIDAY
5.2.25
8:00am – 6:00pm
Dig South Tech Summit Sessions
Hosted by College of Charleston, Albert Simons Center for the Arts, 161 Calhoun Street
8:00 – 8:45am (Simons Center Patio)
Sponsored by: Java House
Rise & Grind with Java House Coffee
Rev up for the Summit with an amazingly smooth cold brew or hot coffee from Java House on the Simons Center patio.
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The Peel and Pour Beverages from Java House are the ultimate solution for enjoying a variety of delicious drinks effortlessly. With a variety of different options to choose from, including coffee, tea, energy drinks, and hydration beverages, our system offers unparalleled versatility.
Whether you’re at home, in the office, or on-the-go, simply pair our system with any water dispenser for instant refreshment. Plus, with 100% recyclable pods, it’s not just convenient – it’s eco-friendly too.
Peel, pour, and enjoy the Java House experience today!
9:00 – 9:05am (Emmett Robinson Theatre)
Get fired up Dig Nation for the 2025 Dig South Tech Summit!
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“Welcome to the New Frontier”
Stanfield Gray, founder, Dig South
Your Marvelous MCs:
Emmett Robinson Theater: Stacey Bailey, Senior Consultant, The Intention Collective
Recital Hall Juan Garzón, Managing Director, Innovate Charlotte
Black Box Theater: Thomas Heath, Founder & Personal Branding Specialist, Thomas Heath Advisors
9:05 – 9:45am (Emmett Robinson Theatre) Sponsor: Essentially Charleston
Wes Carter, President, Atlantic Packaging; Founder, A New Earth Project
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“We strive to help our customers reduce their packaging footprint through technical optimization while also delivering packaging materials that are circular, effective, and balanced. At Atlantic, we believe the packaging supply chain can evolve to be net positive for our planet. We will lead that effort through life-affirming innovations in packaging. This is who we are.”
Wes Carter
President, Atlantic Packaging
We believe in the interconnectedness of health and sustainability, where fostering healthy individuals, a thriving planet, and a resilient supply chain converge to shape a better future for all.
Atlantic’s Packaging Solution Center is the heartbeat of our advanced approach, where technical skill meets data-driven precision. Our process is a blend of innovation and expertise, guided by engineers working day-to-day with packaging applications that span a massive variety of industries and unique challenges.
Track: Supply Chain, Emerging Tech, Materials Science, Sustainability, Culture
10:00 – 10:25am (Emmett Robinson Theatre)
Sponsor: Gnosis Freight
From Bootstrapping to Private Equity: How to Grow and Fund a Successful Scalable Startup
- Austin McCombs, Co-founder/CEO at Gnosis Freight
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Track: Funding, Supply Chain, LogTech, Emerging Tech, Software, AI
10:00 – 10:25am
(Black Box Theater)
Sponsor: TBA
Beyond Human: Biohacking, Breakthroughs, and the Future of Optimized Health
- Moderator: Nancey Trevanian Tsai, Medical Director, Kandu Health, Clinical Professor (Neurosurgery) MUSC
- Mario Roxas, Director, Research & Development, Thorne Research
- Thomas Cutler, Gentlemen Smugglers
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10:00 – 10:25am (Recital Hall)
Co-Sponsor: Charleston Angel Partners
Wild Pitch, Round 1
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MC: Juan Garzón, Managing Director, Innovate Charlotte
Judges: TBA
Track: Startups, Pitching, Demos, Funding, Scaling
10:30 – 10:55am (Emmett Robinson Theatre) – Sponsor: Spindle
AI: Implications for Business Strategy
Matthew Gough, Managing Partner, Spindle
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As AI continues to revolutionize industries, business leaders are faced with the challenge of adapting existing businesses and products to thrive in an AI-driven world. This panel will explore the profound implications of AI for business strategy, addressing how companies can evolve their operations, reimagine products, and stay competitive in a rapidly changing landscape. Join us as industry experts share insights and actionable advice for leveraging AI to unlock new opportunities and future-proof your business.
Key Takeaways
- Learn how AI can drive innovation, improve efficiency, and create a competitive advantage while effectively managing data as a vital asset.
- Understand the ethical implications of AI, strategies for building trust, and its impact on workforce dynamics.
- Gain actionable insights to adapt your business and integrate AI seamlessly into your strategy for future success.
Track: AI, Business Strategy
10:30 – 10:55am
(Black Box Theater)
Sponsor: EveryPoint
How Goods & Humans Flow Around the World & What Anyone Selling a Physical Product Should Know About Supply Chain
- David Boardman, CEO, EveryPoint
- Baron Jordan, Chief Product Officer, Supply Chain at CONA Services, A Coca-Cola System IT Services Company
- Jason Williamson, Executive Director, VP Strategic Clients Group, Oracle
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Track: Business, Supply Chain, Inventory Management, Merchandising, Transportation, Innovation
Track: TBA
10:30 – 10:55am (Recital Hall) Co-sponsor: Charleston Angel Partners
Wild Pitch, Round 2
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MC: Juan Garzón, Managing Director, Innovate Charlotte
Judges: TBA
Track: Startups, Pitching, Demos, Funding, Scaling
11:00 – 11:25am (Emmett Robinson Theatre)
Sponsor: Pollen Social
Tech Trek: Navigating Digital Marketing to Attract Today’s Traveler
- Moderator – Michael Gasser, Co-owner, Squeeze Marketing
- Barbara Skidmore, Owner/Influencer, Blushingalpacas
- Wes Loman, Owner/Influencer, The Salty Golfer
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Moderator – Michael Gasser, Co-owner, Squeeze Marketing
Barbara Skidmore, Owner/Influencer, Blushingalpacas
Wes Loman, Owner/Influencer, The Salty GolferThis session explores how businesses can leverage digital strategies to engage modern travelers. It highlights the importance of personalized content, social media, SEO, and data-driven insights to enhance customer experiences. The panel discusses emerging technologies like AI, chatbots, and automation in travel marketing, emphasizing the role of mobile-first strategies and influencer partnerships. It also covers the significance of user-generated content, real-time engagement, and multi-channel marketing to build brand loyalty. By adopting these tactics, businesses can effectively reach and convert today’s digitally savvy travelers.
Key Takeaways:
Personalization is Key – Tailor content and offers based on traveler preferences and behavior to enhance engagement.
Leverage Social Media & Influencers – Utilize platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to inspire and attract travelers.
Optimize for Mobile – Ensure seamless experiences with mobile-friendly websites, apps, and booking processes.
Harness AI & Automation – Use chatbots, predictive analytics, and automation to streamline marketing efforts.
Encourage User-Generated Content – Leverage reviews, photos, and videos to build trust and authenticity.
Master Multi-Channel Marketing – Integrate email, SMS, social media, and paid ads for a cohesive strategy.
Emphasize Real-Time Engagement – Respond to inquiries, trends, and feedback quickly to enhance customer experience.
11:00 – 11:25am (Black Box Theater)
Sponsor: Gnosis Freight
New Data & Analytical Approaches to Supply Chain, Tariffs and Global Trade
- G. Michael Rentz, Jr., Chief Revenue Officer, Gnosis Freight
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Melissa Hortman, Ed.D, Technology Strategist for Research, MicrosoftHuong Nguyen, Founder & CEO, Shiloh EventsCarrie Jaquith, Global Head of Digital Product at Abaxx Technologies
11:00 – 11:25am (Recital Hall)
Co-sponsor: Charleston Angel Partners
Wild Pitch, Round 3
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MC: Juan Garzón, Managing Director, Innovate Charlotte
Judges: TBA
Track: Startups, Pitching, Demos, Funding, Scaling
11:30am – Noon (Emmett Robinson Theater)
Sponsor TBA
Powering the Future: The State of Innovation in Energy, Fuel, Sustainability and How it Will Impact Your Business
Moderator:
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11:30am – Noon (Black Box Theater)
Sponsored by The Saulsberry Group
Session Title TBA
Shawn Saulsberry, Owner & CEO, Saulsberry Group
A SBE and DBE certified organization
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11:30am – Noon (Recital Hall)
Sponsor: TBA
Funding from Bootstrap to Angel to Venture to Equity and Beyond
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Track: Funding, Bootstrapping, Grants, Angel, Venture, Private Equity
Noon – 1:15pm
Summit Lunch Break
Excellent options within 2 blocks
1:30 – 1:55pm
(Emmett Robinson Theater)
Sponsor TBA
Keynote: TBA
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1:30 – 1:55pm
(Recital Hall)
Sponsor: Charleston Angel Partners
Wild Pitch, Round 4
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MC: Juan Garzón, Managing Director, Innovate Charlotte
Judges: TBA
Track: Startups, Pitching, Demos, Funding, Scaling
1:30 – 1:55pm
(Black Box Theater)
Sponsor: TBA
Welcome to the Brave New World of Agentic AI
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2:00 – 3:30pm (Room 310, 3rd floor)
presented by EO Charleston
Matthew Pollard Workshop
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Build Your Story Workshop:
What if you could have an instant advantage over all your competition? What if you could quadruple appointments, shorten sales cycles, and skyrocket profits, all through the application of one powerful technique? If you need this kind of edge, “Build Your Story Playbook®” provides the breakthrough you’ve been looking for. Shift away from the uncomfortable bulldog tactics of the past, to a new, relaxed, and scientifically proven methodology that consistently multiplies results, guaranteed.
2:00 – 2:25pm (Emmett Robinson Theater)
Soloinsight Takes the Stage
Carter Kennedy, CEO & Co-founder, SoloInsight
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2:00 – 2:25pm (Recital Hall)
Co-sponsor: Charleston Angel Partners
Wild Pitch, Round 5
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MC: Juan Garzón, Managing Director, Innovate Charlotte
Judges: TBA
Track: Startups, Pitching, Demos, Funding, Scaling
2:00 – 2:25pm (Black Box Theater)
Sponsor TBA
Fireside Chat: The Neuroscience of Psychedelics
Nancey Trevanian Tsai, Medical Director, Kandu Health, Clinical Professor (Neurosurgery) MUSC
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Track: Biohacking, HealthTech, Wellness, Marketing
2:30 – 2:55pm: (Emmett Robinson Theater)
Sponsor: TBA
TBA
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2:30 – 2:55pm: (Recital Hall)
Co-sponsor Charleston Angel Partners
Wild Pitch, Round 5
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MC: Juan Garzón, Managing Director, Innovate Charlotte
Judges: TBA
Track: Startups, Pitching, Demos, Funding, Scaling
2:30 – 2:55pm (Black Box Theater)
Sponsor TBA
How to Know Exactly What Your Customers (and Sales Team) Are Thinking at Any Given Moment: Virtualization Conversations (vCons) will drive the Future of Communications
Thomas McCarthy-Howe, Chief Technology Officer, STROLID, Co-author, vCon Working Group
Jeff Pulver, Chief Evangelist Officer, The vCon Foundation
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3:00 – 3:55 pm (Emmett Robinson Theatre) Sponsor: QuicksortRx
Fast-Growth Founder’s Dilemma: Knowing When and How to Scale
Jonathan Yantis, Co-founder & CEO, QuicksortRx
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3:00 – 3:25pm (Black Box Theater)
How to Build & Lead Badass Tech Teams (Whether You’re a Woman or Not!)
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3:00 – 3:25 pm (Recital Hall)
Is My AI Legal?: Why You Shouldn’t Deep Fake it Until You Make it
The Regulatory Environment in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, including Trademark & Copyright Law, Cybersecurity & Privacy
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3:30 – 3:55pm (Recital Hall) Sponsor: SCRA
Wild Pitch Finale
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Startups: TBAJudgesBob Quinn, CEO, SCRA
Alex Shtarkman, VP, Revolution Ventures
Jason Williamson, VP, Strategic Clients Group, Oracle
3:30 – 3:55pm (Black Box Theater)
TBA
4:00 – 4:45pm (Emmett Robinson Theater)
Sponsor: EO Charleston
Closing Keynote:
Matthew Pollard, Founder, Rapid Growth® Coach, Bestselling Author of The Introvert’s Edge Series
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Rapid Growth The Lazy Way:
Do you feel you are on an endless hamster wheel, just trying to keep your business going? You provide an amazing product or service, but despite all your efforts and good intentions, your day-to-day is a constant struggle to find interested people, set yourself apart, and make the sale – all while competing against established industry players and dealing with customers who seem to care about only one thing… PRICE. In this game-changing keynote, you’ll walk away with a complete understanding of where you’ve been going wrong, and you’ll know the three instantly-implementable strategies to turn it all around.Track: Business, Rapid Growth, True Differentiation, Niche Marketing, Sales Systematization
Closing Shindig & Charleston Tech Week Finale Tickets
4:30 – 6:00pm
(included with Pollard Workshop ticket and Summit Badge)
BUY TICKETS
“New Frontiers” Shindig: Dig South’s Closing Bash Sponsored by TBA, Hosted by College of Charleston
Buy Guest Tickets HERE – (Included with Summit Badge & Pollard Ticket)
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6:30 – 8:30pm
Separate event at The Harbour Club at Westedge
BUY NOW
Charleston Tech Week “Geekout” Finale
The Harbour Club at WestEdge, 22 Westedge St Suite 700, Charleston, SC 29403
*Tickets are NOT included with Dig South badges and are sold separately. This is a Charleston Tech Week event, Not a Dig South event. Grab your tickets here while they last: BUY NOW
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Straight from the source
Why We Love Dig South Events
FAQs
Sponsor FAQs
Email info@digsouth.com to sponsor Dig South Tech Summit. A limited number of exclusive partnerships are still available and include year-round benefits. Partner with us today for year-round value!
Dig South will register sponsors for the Dig South Tech Summit, May 1-2, 2025, in the Dig Nation member platform. Follow the instructions from the email sent from our team, which includes a unique link to register you and your guest tickets. Sponsors should complete their company profiles and other information asap to maximize the benefits. Email mellonie@digsouth.com for assistance.
2-day badges to Dig South Tech Summit include: May 1 events: Mentor Matchup, Upload Charleston, Benjamin Wallace Author Event; May events: All sessions on the schedule and the New Frontiers Shindig.
View the schedule at digsummit.com for details.
*For year-round Dig Nation membership events, visit digsouth.com/events
Dig South Tech Summit will be held in the Simons Center for the Arts at the College of Charleston. Enter on St. Philip Street between Calhoun and George Streets. The newly renovated Simons Center is a cornerstone for the arts, providing dynamic facilities including an elegant theater, recital hall, black box theatre, dance and sculpture studios, classrooms and the Halsey Institute for Contemporary Art.
Paid parking for the Summit is available in multiple garages, surface lots, and metered spaces around the Simons Center for the Arts. The nearest locations are the garages at 89 St. Philip Street and 34 St. Philip Street. Dig South also encourages using rideshare to attend the Summit.
Yes, you could. But why would you want to miss out on free benefits? The membership is an excellent year-round benefit to attending Dig South Tech Summit at no additional cost, but, we get it, not everyone wants to be listed in a community. Anyway you roll, we’re thrilled to see you at the Summit.
Heck yeah! Important note: Upload Charleston is included with the full ticket to the Summit. Guests who only want to attend Upload Charleston may buy a separate ticket to the event on Thursday, May 1, 5-7pm. Email info@digsouth.com to purchase.
Additional party tickets can be purchased for separate entry to the Upload Shindig for only $50. Email info@digsouth.com. Due to hard costs and capacity, the Summit is unable to accommodate full or single-session passes for guests, including spouses, colleagues, friends or assistants.
Dig Nation members gain access to not only Dig South Tech Summit but also year-round events and a range of excellent benefits, including a curated network, top-shelf content and capital opportunities. Visit dignation.co for benefits and more groovy info about the South’s Tech Tribe.
Badges for Dig South Tech Summit can be picked up on Thursday, May 1, 5:00-7:00pm, at the Upload Charleston Shindig at The College of Charleston President’s House, 6 Glebe Street, Charleston, SC 29401. Or on the day of the Summit, Friday, May 2, 8:00am-5:30pm at the Simons Center of the Arts, located on St. Philip Street between George and Calhoun Streets.
The Dig South “Upload Charleston” event will be held on Thursday, May 1, 5-7pm, at The College of Charleston President’s House – Bishop Robert Smith House, 6 Glebe Street, Charleston, SC 29401.
The oldest building on the College of Charleston campus, the President’s House was the site of the school’s first classes. Today this handsome Georgian mansion with the garden around it serves as the President’s House; it was also the home of the College’s first president over 200 years ago.
The land on which it stands was granted in 1672 to one of the colony’s original settlers, John Coming, whose name is remembered in nearby Coming Street. In 1698, his widow Affra Harleston Coming donated 17 acres of the land to St. Philip’s Anglican Church. The church soon after built a parsonage for its ministers about a block south of this site (approximately where Memminger School stands today).
Around 1770, as this area, known as Harleston Village, was developed, St. Philip’s decided to erect “a new parsonage house” with “a garden, orchard and pasturage,” and received approval and funding from the Royal legislature. A “brick building 48 by 44” with four main rooms on the main floor, two larger ones in the front, smaller ones in the rear, with “Kitchen and other Offices underneath” was agreed upon, with minister Robert Smith and contractor Daniel Cannon empowered to sort out the details. Construction had yet to begin by May of 1774, and although the details are vague, it is likely that the house was finished by 1778. For years, the house was dated “circa 1770.”
The agenda and session schedule will be available in 3 locations:
- Website (limited). Visit the digsouth.com/techsummit website to view a limited, abbreviated agenda. You will not have access to the full Dig Nation member community until you are registered and have a ticket to Dig South Tech Summit. Purchase at dignation.co
- Dig Nation Community (full access). If you are registered and already in the Dig Nation member community, visit dignation.co to view the full Dig South Tech Summit agenda and connect with attendees, sponsors and speakers, and receive your year-round benefits.
- Mighty Networks App (mobile). If you are registered and in the Dig Nation network, download the Mighty Networks app to access the Dig South Tech Summit agenda and network mobile view, and stay connected year-round to the Dig Nation community. The Dig Nation member network will be associated with the email you used for registration.
Dig South will record video and audio portions of most of the sessions and events for our Dig Nation member platform and other Summit marketing channels. With 30+ speakers we may not capture every session in its entirety or provide video files to speakers. Speakers are welcome to self-record the session, or we can connect you to a freelance videographer who can record the event for a fee.
Attendee FAQs
Buy tickets today at dignation.co.
Registering for Dig South Tech Summit is easy and includes a major bonus – year-round membership to Dig Nation: The South’s Tech Tribe. Dig South hosts additional talks, webinars, and happy hours plus event collaborations with Harbor Entrepreneur Center, CRDA and other prominent organizations. The networking is superb. Share your expertise and gain significant knowledge and know-how from fellow members. View benefits and register for Dig South Tech Summit today.
In addition to all Summit sessions on May 2, tickets to the Summit include the following. Additional tickets can be purchased at dignation.co.
> Upload Charleston Shindig, Thursday, May 1, 5-7pm, at The College of Charleston President’s House Courtyard at 6 Glebe Street, Charleston, SC 29401. The President’s House is located two blocks from the Summit venue in the Simons Center for the Arts.
>New Frontiers, Friday, May 1, 4:30-5:30pm. This is the Dig South Tech Summit closing bash. Two sponsorships are available.
>Year-round Dig Nation membership events. View at digsouth.com/events.
Paid parking for the Summit is available in multiple garages, surface lots, and metered spaces around the Simons Center for the Arts. The nearest locations are the garages at 89 St. Philip Street and 34 St. Philip Street. Dig South also encourages using rideshare to attend the Summit.
Dig South Tech Summit will be held in the Simons Center for the Arts at the College of Charleston. Enter on St. Philip Street between Calhoun and George Streets. The newly renovated Simons Center is a cornerstone for the arts, providing dynamic facilities including an elegant theater, recital hall, black box theatre, dance and sculpture studios, classrooms and the Halsey Institute for Contemporary Art.
Yes, you could. But why would you want to miss out on free benefits? The membership is an excellent year-round benefit to attending Dig South Tech Summit at no additional cost, but, we get it, not everyone wants to be listed in a community. Anyway you roll, we’re thrilled to see you at the Summit.
Heck yeah! Important note: Upload Charleston is included with the full ticket to the Summit. Guests who only want to attend Upload Charleston may buy a separate ticket to the event on Thursday, May 1, 5-7pm. Email info@digsouth.com to purchase.
Additional party tickets can be purchased for separate entry to the Upload Shindig for only $50. Email info@digsouth.com. Due to hard costs and capacity, the Summit is unable to accommodate full or single-session passes for guests, including spouses, colleagues, friends or assistants.
Dig Nation members gain access to not only Dig South Tech Summit but also year-round events and a range of excellent benefits, including a curated network, top-shelf content and capital opportunities. Visit dignation.co for benefits and more groovy info about the South’s Tech Tribe.
Badges for Dig South Tech Summit can be picked up on Thursday, May 1, 5:00-7:00pm, at the Upload Charleston Shindig at The College of Charleston President’s House, 6 Glebe Street, Charleston, SC 29401. Or on the day of the Summit, Friday, May 2, 8:00am-5:30pm at the Simons Center of the Arts, located on St. Philip Street between George and Calhoun Streets.
The Dig South “Upload Charleston” event will be held on Thursday, May 1, 5-7pm, at The College of Charleston President’s House – Bishop Robert Smith House, 6 Glebe Street, Charleston, SC 29401.
The oldest building on the College of Charleston campus, the President’s House was the site of the school’s first classes. Today this handsome Georgian mansion with the garden around it serves as the President’s House; it was also the home of the College’s first president over 200 years ago.
The land on which it stands was granted in 1672 to one of the colony’s original settlers, John Coming, whose name is remembered in nearby Coming Street. In 1698, his widow Affra Harleston Coming donated 17 acres of the land to St. Philip’s Anglican Church. The church soon after built a parsonage for its ministers about a block south of this site (approximately where Memminger School stands today).
Around 1770, as this area, known as Harleston Village, was developed, St. Philip’s decided to erect “a new parsonage house” with “a garden, orchard and pasturage,” and received approval and funding from the Royal legislature. A “brick building 48 by 44” with four main rooms on the main floor, two larger ones in the front, smaller ones in the rear, with “Kitchen and other Offices underneath” was agreed upon, with minister Robert Smith and contractor Daniel Cannon empowered to sort out the details. Construction had yet to begin by May of 1774, and although the details are vague, it is likely that the house was finished by 1778. For years, the house was dated “circa 1770.”
Speaker FAQs
Please apply here to speak at Dig South Tech Summit. Speakers are selected on a rolling basis through January 31, 2025 or until sessions are full. Apply today, slots fill up quickly. Sponsors and members are given priority consideration.
Speaker amenities include the Speaker Green Room (located behind the Emmett Robinson stage), which speakers may visit anytime during the Summit to use the co-working space outfitted with refreshments and a concierge. Speakers may also attend all events throughout the Summit.
Speaker badges to the Summit include:
> Upload Charleston Shindig, Thursday, May 1, 5-7pm, at The College of Charleston President’s House Courtyard at 6 Glebe Street, Charleston, SC 29401. The President’s House is located two blocks from the Summit venue in the Simons Center for the Arts.
>Dig South Tech Summit closing bash: New Frontiers, sponsorship is available.
>Year-round Dig Nation membership events. View at digsouth.com/events
Paid parking for the Summit is available in multiple garages, surface lots, and metered spaces around the Simons Center for the Arts. The nearest locations are the garages at 89 St. Philip Street and 34 St. Philip Street. Dig South also encourages using rideshare to attend the Summit.
Stages will be equipped with a tech producer, LCD screen, confidence monitor, lectern and microphones.
Yes, speakers may use Keynote or Powerpoint presentations. It is not required but if a speaker plans to use a Keynote or Powerpoint deck, it should be created in 16:9 ratio and emailed to the Executive Producer, production@digsouth.com, by EOD Friday, April 25 , 2025. Dig South Tech Summit can also provide a template slide and logo in advance by request.
Speakers can expect 300–350 for mainstage presentations and 40-75 people for breakout sessions. Dig South strongly encourages promoting your session in advance in social media and through the Dig Nation app to increase attendance.
Dig South will register speakers for (1) badge for the Dig South Tech Summit, May 1-2, 2025. Speakers will have full access to the Dig Nation member platform up until one week following the Summit. They will then be able to purchase a year-round membership should they so choose.
Speakers will receive confirmation via email with instructions that will send a link to their self-managed speaker profile within the Dig Nation member platform. Speakers should add their headshots, bios and relevant links asap to encourage attendance for their session and benefit from additional networking.
IMPORTANT: assistants are welcome to manage speaker profiles; however, they must log in using the email address the speaker registered with in the platform. Speaker profiles cannot be managed using more than one email address.
Dig South Tech Summit will be held in the Simons Center for the Arts at the College of Charleston. Enter on St. Philip Street between Calhoun and George Streets. The newly renovated Simons Center is a cornerstone for the arts, providing dynamic facilities including an elegant theater, recital hall, black box theatre, dance and sculpture studios, classrooms and the Halsey Institute for Contemporary Art.
No. But you’ll miss out on all of the excellent year-round benefits. Not only do you receive a ticket to Dig South Tech Summit when you join Dig Nation, you will also have access to a fantastic network of innovators, plus meetups and other great benefits. Visit digsouth.com/events for details.
Yes, you could. But why would you want to miss out on free benefits? The membership is an excellent year-round benefit to attending Dig South Tech Summit at no additional cost, but, we get it, not everyone wants to be listed in a community. Anyway you roll, we’re thrilled to see you at the Summit.
Heck yeah! Important note: Upload Charleston is included with the full ticket to the Summit. Guests who only want to attend Upload Charleston may buy a separate ticket to the event on Thursday, May 1, 5-7pm. Email info@digsouth.com to purchase.
The Dig South “Upload Charleston” event will be held on Thursday, May 1, 5-7pm, at The College of Charleston President’s House – Bishop Robert Smith House, 6 Glebe Street, Charleston, SC 29401.
——————-
The oldest building on the College of Charleston campus, the President’s House was the site of the school’s first classes. Today this handsome Georgian mansion with the garden around it serves as the President’s House; it was also the home of the College’s first president over 200 years ago.
The land on which it stands was granted in 1672 to one of the colony’s original settlers, John Coming, whose name is remembered in nearby Coming Street. In 1698, his widow Affra Harleston Coming donated 17 acres of the land to St. Philip’s Anglican Church. The church soon after built a parsonage for its ministers about a block south of this site (approximately where Memminger School stands today).
Around 1770, as this area, known as Harleston Village, was developed, St. Philip’s decided to erect “a new parsonage house” with “a garden, orchard and pasturage,” and received approval and funding from the Royal legislature. A “brick building 48 by 44” with four main rooms on the main floor, two larger ones in the front, smaller ones in the rear, with “Kitchen and other Offices underneath” was agreed upon, with minister Robert Smith and contractor Daniel Cannon empowered to sort out the details. Construction had yet to begin by May of 1774, and although the details are vague, it is likely that the house was finished by 1778. For years, the house was dated “circa 1770.”
Powered by Dig South, Dig Nation is the South’s Tech Tribe. Dig Nation members gain access to not only Charleston AI Summit but also year-round events and a range of excellent benefits, including a curated network, top-shelf content and capital opportunities. Visit dignation.co for benefits and more groovy info.
Badges for Dig South Tech Summit can be picked up on Thursday, May 1, 5:00-7:00pm, at the Upload Charleston Shindig at The College of Charleston President’s House, 6 Glebe Street, Charleston, SC 29401. Or on the day of the Summit, Friday, May 2, 8:00am-5:30pm at the Simons Center of the Arts, located on St. Philip Street between George and Calhoun Streets.
Startup Wild Pitch FAQs
Please apply here to join Wild Pitch at Dig South Tech Summit on May 2, 2025. Companies focused on emerging technologies such as generative AI, sustainable energy, mobility, and SaaS platforms, plus other innovative solutions will be selected and notified by February 1, 2025. Space is limited. Apply today.
Stages will be equipped with a tech producer, LCD screen, confidence monitor, lectern and microphones on the mainstage. The sidestage does not require a microphone.
Yes, startup pitchers may use Keynote or Powerpoint presentations. It is not required but if a pitcher plans to use a Keynote or Powerpoint deck, it should be created in 16:9 ratio and emailed to the Executive Producer, production@digsouth.com, by EOD Friday, April 25, 2025. Dig South Tech Summit can also provide a template slide and logo in advance by request.
Pitches will be presented tournament style with 16 companies presenting over 4 sessions, four at a time. For the first round of pitches, pitchers can expect 40-60 attendees. The finals will include the 4 winners of the previous rounds and will be held on the mainstage in front of an audience of 300–350 attendees.
There is no cost to pitch at Dig South Tech Summit. Pitch teams will receive two comped tickets to the full Summit. If an individual pitcher is also a speaker or panelist they do not receive an additional comp ticket. Additional tickets can be purchased at dignation.co.
Registering for Dig South Tech Summit is easy and includes a major bonus – year-round membership to Dig Nation: The South’s Tech Tribe. In addition to our marquee event for 2025, Dig South hosts additional talks, webinars, and happy hours plus event collaborations with Harbor Entrepreneur Center, CRDA, and other prominent organizations. The networking is superb. You can share your expertise and gain significant knowledge and know-how from fellow members along the way. To view benefits and register for Dig South Tech Summit, visit dignation.co today.
In addition to all Summit sessions on May 2, tickets to the Summit include the following. Additional tickets can be purchased at dignation.co.
> Upload Charleston Shindig, Thursday, May 1, 5-7pm, at The College of Charleston President’s House Courtyard at 6 Glebe Street, Charleston, SC 29401. The President’s House is located two blocks from the Summit venue in the Simons Center for the Arts.
>New Frontiers, Friday, May 1, 4:30-5:30pm. This is the Dig South Tech Summit closing bash. Two sponsorships are available.
>Year-round Dig Nation membership events. View at digsouth.com/events.
Dig South Tech Summit will be held in the Simons Center for the Arts at the College of Charleston. Enter on St. Philip Street between Calhoun and George Streets. The newly renovated Simons Center is a cornerstone for the arts, providing dynamic facilities including an elegant theater, recital hall, black box theatre, dance and sculpture studios, classrooms and the Halsey Institute for Contemporary Art.
Dig South will register pitchers for (1) badge for the Dig South Tech Summit, May 1-2, 2025. Speakers will have full access to the Dig Nation member platform up until one week following the Summit. They will then be able to purchase a year-round membership should they so choose.
Speakers will receive confirmation via email with instructions that will send a link to their self-managed speaker profile within the Dig Nation member platform. Speakers should add their headshots, bios and relevant links asap to encourage attendance for their session and benefit from additional networking.
IMPORTANT: assistants are welcome to manage speaker profiles; however, they must log in using the email address the speaker registered with in the platform. Speaker profiles cannot be managed using more than one email address.
Paid parking for the Summit is available in multiple garages, surface lots, and metered spaces around the Simons Center for the Arts. The nearest locations are the garages at 89 St. Philip Street and 34 St. Philip Street. Dig South also encourages using rideshare to attend the Summit.
Yes, additional tickets to the Upload Charleston event on Thursday, May 1, 5-7pm, can be purchased by emailing info@digsouth.com.
Powered by Dig South, Dig Nation is the South’s Tech Tribe. Dig Nation members gain access to Dig South Tech Summit, year-round events and a range of excellent benefits including a curated network, top-shelf content and capital opportunities. Visit dignation.co for benefits and more groovy info.
Badges for Dig South Tech Summit can be picked up on Thursday, May 1, 5:00-7:00pm, at the Upload Charleston Shindig at The College of Charleston President’s House, 6 Glebe Street, Charleston, SC 29401. Or on the day of the Summit, Friday, May 2, 8:00am-5:30pm at the Simons Center of the Arts, located on St. Philip Street between George and Calhoun Streets.
The Dig South “Upload Charleston” event will be held on Thursday, May 1, 5-7pm, at The College of Charleston President’s House – Bishop Robert Smith House, 6 Glebe Street, Charleston, SC 29401.
The oldest building on the College of Charleston campus, the President’s House was the site of the school’s first classes. Today this handsome Georgian mansion with the garden around it serves as the President’s House; it was also the home of the College’s first president over 200 years ago.
The land on which it stands was granted in 1672 to one of the colony’s original settlers, John Coming, whose name is remembered in nearby Coming Street. In 1698, his widow Affra Harleston Coming donated 17 acres of the land to St. Philip’s Anglican Church. The church soon after built a parsonage for its ministers about a block south of this site (approximately where Memminger School stands today).
Around 1770, as this area, known as Harleston Village, was developed, St. Philip’s decided to erect “a new parsonage house” with “a garden, orchard and pasturage,” and received approval and funding from the Royal legislature. A “brick building 48 by 44” with four main rooms on the main floor, two larger ones in the front, smaller ones in the rear, with “Kitchen and other Offices underneath” was agreed upon, with minister Robert Smith and contractor Daniel Cannon empowered to sort out the details. Construction had yet to begin by May of 1774, and although the details are vague, it is likely that the house was finished by 1778. For years, the house was dated “circa 1770.”
The Dig South Tech Summit agenda and session schedule will be available in 3 locations:
- Website (limited). Visit the charlestonaisummit.com website to view a limited, abbreviated agenda. You will not have access to the full Dig Nation member community until you are registered and have a ticket to the Charleston AI Summit. Purchase at dignation.co
- Dig Nation Community (full access). If you are registered and already in the Dig Nation member community, visit dignation.co to view the full Charleston AI Summit agenda and connect with attendees, sponsors and speakers, and receive your year-round benefits.
- Mighty Networks App (mobile). If you are registered and in the Dig Nation network, download the Mighty Networks app to access the Charleston AI Summit agenda and network mobile view, and stay connected year-round to the Dig Nation community. The Dig Nation member network will be associated with the email you used for registration.
Dig South will record video and audio portions of most of the sessions and events for our member platform and other Summit marketing materials. With 30+ speakers we may not capture every session in its entirety or provide video files to speakers. Speakers are welcome to self-record the session, or we can connect you to a freelance videographer who can record the event for a fee.
Additional party tickets can be purchased for separate entry to the Upload Shindig by emailing info@digsouth.com. Due to hard costs and capacity, the Summit is not able to accommodate full or single-session passes for guests, including spouses, colleagues, friends or assistants.
Speakers, pitchers and session moderators are responsible for all of their costs related to travel, hotel, ground transportation, and incidentals associated with participation in Dig South Tech Summit.
Paid parking for the Summit is available in multiple garages, surface lots, and metered spaces around the Simons Center for the Arts. The nearest locations are the garages at 89 St. Philip Street and 34 St. Philip Street. Dig South also encourages using rideshare to attend the Summit.
Dig South General FAQ
Founded in 2012, Dig South is the South’s Innovation Hub. We connect executives, entrepreneurs, experts, investors and founders through the Dig Nation membership. Dig South focuses on AI and other emerging technologies, business growth, sales and marketing, and innovation culture. Dig South produces Dig South Tech Summit, the Dig Nation member community, and year-round events and programs. Learn more at digsouth.com.
Dig South connects leading global brands to the South’s most scalable startups year-round. We provide the contacts, content, and capital opportunities companies need to succeed through in-person and online experiences, particularly our flagship event: Dig South Tech Summit and monthly “Rise & Grind” meetups at The Harbor Entrepreneur Center.
Dig South Tech Summit will be held in the Simons Center for the Arts at the College of Charleston. Enter on St. Philip Street between Calhoun and George Streets. The newly renovated Simons Center is a cornerstone for the arts, providing dynamic facilities including an elegant theater, recital hall, black box theatre, dance and sculpture studios, classrooms and the Halsey Institute for Contemporary Art.
Paid parking for the Summit is available in multiple garages, surface lots, and metered spaces around the Simons Center for the Arts. The nearest locations are the garages at 89 St. Philip Street and 34 St. Philip Street. Dig South also encourages using rideshare to attend the Summit.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. We greatly appreciate reposts and tags when you see Dig South and Dig South Tech Summit in your feed. Be sure to use #DigSouth #DigSouthTechSummit #DigNation in your posts. A brand kit is available at digsouth.com under “About” on the main menu.
Dig South Tech Summit is the South’s Premier Tech Summit. The Summit presents 100+ executive-level speakers from leading global brands, fast-growth startups, and top investors. Since 2012, Dig South Tech Summit has welcomed thousands of attendees to Charleston, a culinary mecca and Condé Nast Traveler’s top destination for over a decade. Visit digsouth.com for details.
For the last 12 years, Dig South has welcomed more than 12,000 attendees and 1000 speakers from the world’s leading brands, including Netflix, Oracle, Hubspot, Facebook, TikTok, Magic Leap, Bonobos, Instagram, Red Hat, CNN, Coca-Cola, Jet, Casper, BuzzFeed, IBM, X/Twitter, Re/Code, WSJ, The New York Times, Forbes, Adobe and many more plus the South’s hottest companies. Notable speakers have included Gary Vaynerhchuck, Vox Chairman and CEO Jim Bankoff, Jet CEO Liza Landsman, Kabbage and Roadie Co-founder Mark Gorlin, Kickstarter CEO Yancy Strickland, Essentialism author Greg McKeown, Atlanta Hawks CMO Melissa Proctor, Bonobos CEO Micky Onvural, VF Brands Innovation Officer and hundreds more.
Dig Nation is the South’s Tech Tribe powered by Dig South. Dig Nation provides the contacts, content and capital opportunities members need to succeed. Visit dignation.co for benefits and details. Join today to grab your ticket to Charleston AI Summit.
Dig South is the nexus of emerging tech and culture in the South. We believe the best way to promote innovation across the region is to invite global brands, execs, founders, investors and experts from beyond the region to connect, collaborate and do business with leading brands and startups based in the South. It’s a global economy and we engage in the global conversation on innovation.
In 2011, Stanfield Gray attended the AdAge Digital Conference in NYC. Connecting with tech executives and experts from Silicon Valley, NYC, Boston and other major tech hubs, he left inspired but frustrated that the same opportunities to work at the highest levels in digital technology and other creative industries were scarce in the South.
Why should the region’s top talent continue to leave the region? If someone chooses to go, good for them. Could be a smart move. But what if the best and brightest could launch, grow and scale global tech companies HQ’d in the South? Michael Dell (Dell Computers), Ted Turner (CNN), Ben Chestnut (Mailchimp) and Tim Sweeney (Epic Games) are proof that it can be done.
Driven to build a stronger innovation economy for the region and, more specifically, his two young kids, Gray and his wife, Sunny, launched Dig South in 2012 as the first Tech Summit dedicated to elevating the region’s digital economy and building opportunities for the next generation of founders, entrepreneurs and tech talent.
Officially, Dig South was born on July 4, 2012. Bootstrapping, the DIG Team rallied the southeastern community behind the idea and launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise a small fund to launch Dig South. Held April 12–14, 2013, at the College of Charleston in Charleston, SC, the first Dig South Interactive Festival drew 454 paid attendees with more than a thousand guests passing through the DIG Trade Show, nightly shindigs, Space Walk and other free events. The Summit grew considerably each year, experimenting with NFT galleries, Bitcoin ATM machines, pitch events, hackathons, demo days and other programs.
To date, Dig South has welcomed more than 12,000 attendees and 1000 speakers from the world’s leading brands, including Oracle, Salesforce, IBM, Instagram, Facebook, Jet, Casper, BuzzFeed, Twitter, Re/Code, WSJ, The New York Times, Forbes, Adobe and many more plus the South’s hottest companies, including Red Hat, Roadie, Kabbage, Blackbaud, Terminus, Benefitfocus, CNN, Coca-Cola, BoomTown, Atlanta Hawks and many more. Visit digsouth.com for details.
Stanfield Gray is the founder and CEO of Dig South and a lifelong practitioner of innovation in the South. Gray was named one of Time magazine’s “31 People Changing the South” and one of South Carolina’s “50 Most Influential Business Leaders” by SC Biz magazine. A Liberty Fellow in the Aspen Global Leadership Network, he is a graduate of the University of South Carolina-Honors College and University of Mississippi’s MA program in Southern Studies. Featured on the cover of the issue, Gray was named one of “Charleston’s 50 Most Influential” by Charleston Business magazine in 2017, 2018 and 2019, twice named one of Charlie magazine’s “50 Most Progressive,” and named a “Rock Star” award finalist by the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce. Gray has been a featured speaker at the Collision Conference Global Ecosystem Summit in New Orleans, the Southern C Summit, and numerous other events. Also a songwriter and musician, Gray currently performs in the band, The Speed of Sound (S.O.S.). For further details, visit his LinkedIn profile.
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