New SCRA members include provider of sleep pods for soldiers

South Carolina Research Authority’s newest members stretch from the foothills to the coast, offering products from digital platforms to sleep containers for war fighters.

Bellwether Biotech, CADmore, Caridea Therapeutics, Connexus, Chipp, FeatherPMS, Sleep Pods and Sustainable Materials Technologies were accepted as South Carolina Research Authority member companies, according to a news release. Bellwether Biotech, MyUI.AI, NeuroHope Therapeutics and ThreatCaptain received new grant funding.

All SCRA member companies receive coaching and access to SCRA member benefits and startup resources, can apply for grant funding, and have the potential to be considered for investment from SCRA’s investment affiliate, SC Launch Inc.

Sleep Pods was accepted as an SCRA member company. The Charleston-based company provides secure, modular, containerized sleep environments that integrate ballistic protection, acoustic isolation, HVAC, biometric monitoring, and artificial intelligence-driven sleep optimization. These systems address critical sleep deprivation among warfighters and first responders, improving readiness, safety and mission success in high-threat environments.

Bellwether Biotech was accepted as an SCRA member company and received a $25,000 startup grant. The Charleston-based biotech company is dedicated to building advanced preclinical research tools with a special focus on ultrasound and neuroethology platforms. Its mission is to create paradigm-shifting devices that bring high-end research capabilities into routine laboratory environments.

CADmore, the Columbia-based 3D design and engineering firm that transforms concepts from rough sketches or scans into manufacturable CAD files, is a new member. The company serves industries ranging from aerospace to consumer products. CADmore provides a streamlined, on-demand design service to help businesses and innovators move smoothly from idea to production.

Caridea Therapeutics was accepted as an SCRA member company. The Charleston-based biotechnology company is developing next-generation cell therapy platforms designed to harness the immune system for therapeutic use. Its mission focuses on creating novel, advanced cell-based treatments aimed at transforming how complex diseases are addressed.

Connexus, another new SCRA member company, is a Murrells Inlet-based startup that developed a real estate procurement and operations platform that centralizes vendor databases, contract management, scope-of-work creation, benchmarking and RFP processes into a single AI-enabled system. The company helps property owners and operators streamline procurement and contract workflows while driving cost savings, compliance, and operational efficiency across real estate portfolios.

Chipp is a Greenville-based company that offers a no-code platform that enables businesses to build, brand and deploy custom AI agents trained on their own knowledge. These agents can be used for customer support, internal team assistance, lead qualification and content automation.

FeatherPMS was accepted as an SCRA member company. The Charleston-based company provides an all-in-one property management software platform designed for vacation rental and hospitality operators. The system unifies listings, reservations, guest communications, revenue management and maintenance into a single platform.

MyUI.AI received a $25,000 academic startup grant. The Simpsonville-based information technology startup enables people with disabilities to interact with customized digital interfaces rather than default, potentially inaccessible ones. Its cloud-based system uses artificial intelligence to adapt the digital interfaces of consumer appliances, kiosks, and compatible system-to-system or cloud-based devices to the specific interaction needs of people with disabilities.

NeuroHope Therapeutics received a $50,000 federal matching grant. The Greenville-based life science company developed an innovation that uses nanotechnology for combinatorial drug and gene delivery. The initial application focuses on regeneration and repair of the central nervous system.

Sustainable Materials Technologies was accepted as an SCRA member company. The Spartanburg-based startup develops bio-based, drop-in alternatives to specialty chemicals, enabling formulators to replace non-renewable additives with high-performance, low-carbon options.

ThreatCaptain received a $50,000 demonstration grant. The Greenville-based information technology startup offers a financial cyber-risk tool designed for managed service providers. The company focuses on bridging the gap between executive leadership and security teams to strengthen cybersecurity through strategic alignment and informed decision-making.

Grant funding is made possible in part by SCRA’s tax credit program, the Industry Partnership Fund, and other contributions that support South Carolina’s innovation economy. Contributors to the Industry Partnership Fund receive a dollar-for-dollar state tax credit, the release said.

South Carolina Research Authority was chartered in 1983 by the state of South Carolina as a public nonprofit corporation.