SCRA awards grants, adds 7 tech members

Four Palmetto State technology companies have received new grant funding from the South Carolina Research Authority, while seven additional firms have joined the organization as member companies.

Chipp, Sentec, Atapic and Tada AI were awarded grants through SCRA’s startup and acceleration programs. SCRA made the announcement this week.

Greenville-based Chipp received a $50,000 acceleration grant for its no-code platform that enables businesses to build and deploy custom AI agents trained on their own data for customer support, internal assistance, lead qualification and content automation.

Sentec, also based in Greenville, secured a $25,000 startup grant. The company manufactures highly configurable sensors, pressure transducers and strain gauges designed for precise measurement in demanding industrial and high-temperature environments, serving sectors including oil and gas, automotive, aerospace and defense, and chemical processing.

North Charleston-based Atapic received a $25,000 startup grant for its AI-powered lead generation platform, which helps coaches, consultants and service businesses identify high-intent prospects by analyzing digital signals and public data, delivering actionable contact lists and supporting outreach workflows.

Rock Hill-based Tada AI was awarded a $25,000 startup grant for its intelligent automation platform that uses artificial intelligence to eliminate manual data entry and streamline payroll, human resources and back-office operations by extracting and validating information from emails, documents and spreadsheets.

In addition to the grant recipients, SCRA accepted seven new member companies: Crystal-XG, Cuffway, InfauxTech, Ohmiq, PostPixel, Renoverse AI and Vet Media Group.

Clemson-based Crystal-XG uses machine learning to predict optimal crystal growth conditions, helping researchers and industry partners accelerate material synthesis while reducing trial and error and waste.

Cuffway, headquartered in Elgin, is developing a real-time automated system that continuously regulates endotracheal tube cuff pressure to reduce intubation-related injuries and improve patient outcomes in healthcare settings.

InfauxTech, a Clemson University spinout, is building advanced analytics and AI-driven tools to detect and analyze coordinated fraudulent behavior across digital platforms, helping organizations identify hidden influence networks and defend against information threats.

Charleston-based Ohmiq is developing patented ohmic heating solutions that use electrical conduction to heat water and other materials with speed and energy efficiency, supporting industrial cost reduction and sustainability efforts.

PostPixel, based in Lexington, offers an AI-powered marketing automation platform tailored to home service businesses, enabling users to generate and manage digital marketing campaigns from a single dashboard.

Mount Pleasant-based Renoverse AI has created an AI-powered renovation planning platform that centralizes communication and workflow collaboration among homeowners, architects and builders to streamline complex projects.

Vet Media Group, headquartered in Piedmont, operates an AI-powered veterinary eLearning portal that provides continuing education, live surgical events and an on-demand library supported by an AI-driven research tool.

All SCRA member companies receive coaching, access to startup resources and eligibility to apply for grant funding, as well as potential consideration for investment from SCRA’s affiliate, SC Launch Inc.

“We welcome these new member companies and congratulate those that received funding,” SCRA interim President and CEO Bill Kirkland said in a news release.

Grant funding is supported in part by SCRA’s tax credit program, the Industry Partnership Fund and contributions aimed at strengthening the state’s innovation economy. Contributors to the fund receive a dollar-for-dollar state tax credit, and the funding provided to member companies is intended to generate economic impact and job creation across South Carolina.