SCRA: South Carolina Research Authority · 2 days ago
Program Manager - Upstate
Greenville,SC,US
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
7+ years expThe South Carolina Research Authority is focused on driving innovation in South Carolina's economy. The Program Manager will manage partnerships with local colleges and universities, oversee grant programs, and support academic and non-academic startups to enhance economic development within the state.
Enterprise SoftwareManufacturingInformation TechnologyLife Science
Responsibilities
Manages grant programs that address technology development, commercial viability, and business growth needs of academic startups
Manage a regional caseload of academic and non-academic startups
Works with technology transfer offices to identify and support technology development with commercial potential
Assist startups with identifying a pathway that leads from lab to market
Screens prospective high-tech/high-growth academic and non-academic startups for membership; present candidates at appropriate SCRA meetings
Reviews pitch decks and conducts initial screening calls with entrepreneurs
Ensures relevant company data on member companies is accurately captured and presented
Manages tracking of prospective and existing member and portfolio companies, including investment metrics
Assists with company management to develop relevant company milestones and utilize relevant resources and grant programs to assist company to achieve these results
Reviews client company milestones for investment readiness and recommends actions leading to preparation for internal and external grant awards
Reviews and recommends client companies for possible direct investments from SC Launch, Inc
Assists in preparation for companies entering investment due diligence, term sheet negotiations and funding, review of company financials, forecasts, valuations, and capitalization tables
Supports entrepreneurs in the pre-funding and post-funding stages for grant investments
Supports due diligence process for assigned accounts for potential SC Launch Inc. equity investments
Participates in strategic planning on future funds including fundraising strategies with the investment managers
Identify business development stage, monitor progress, and assess needs/obstacles to company maturation
Align resources, funding, and other support towards completing milestones that gain traction towards commercialization
Identify and provide guidance on internal and external sources of dilutive (e.g., angel investment, venture capital) and nondilutive funding, including federal agencies (e.g., SBIR and STTR funding), and SC Launch Inc
Cultivate regional relationships with key external stakeholders: entrepreneurial support organizations, industry partners, subject matter experts, and the investment community for the benefit of resource enablement for academic and non-academic startups
Collaborate across the organization to complete multifunctional tasks, including investment due diligence, engaging our resource network, continuous improvement for the organization, and fundraising via the Industry Partnership Fund
Leads multifunctional teams when called on to do so
Represent SCRA and SC Launch in public forums and outreach engagements, and at relevant events in support of regional and local startup ecosystems as well as participation in organizations, conferences, presentations, committees, and boards as directed by Director, SC Launch
Continues professional development in technology transfer, business coaching, and venture investing
Other duties as assigned by the Regional Investment Manager
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree, master's preferred
7-10 years' experience in various capacities
Experience with technology transfer at academic research institutions, entrepreneurial support organizations, and venture capital
Experience working with technology startups
Understanding of early-stage business development milestones and key activities
Competence in managing complex technical programs and/or projects
Ability to clearly communicate orally and in writing; prepared to make presentations
Collaborative mindset internally and externally with a variety of stakeholders
Dedicated to strong customer engagement; understands needs/solves problems
Accepts accountability for individual goals, as well as shared outcomes
Adheres to schedules and deadlines
Demonstrates the highest level of integrity and initiative
Strong competency in computer applications, including MS Office Suite and MS Dynamics
Ability to travel in-state principally and, if necessary, work some extended hours in support of program objectives
Preferred
Technical experience in one of our technology sectors, preferred: - Life Sciences, Advanced Materials, Advanced Manufacturing, Information Technology, Agricultural Technology, Advanced Energy, etc
Company
SCRA: South Carolina Research Authority
Chartered in 1983 by the State of South Carolina as a public, non-profit corporation, SCRA is accelerating technology-enabled growth in research, academia, entrepreneurship and industry.
11-50 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageTotal Funding
$0.75MKey Investors
"US Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administation"
2019-02-05Grant· $0.75M
Leadership Team
Matthew Bell
Director, SC Launch Program
Recent News
UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL
2026-02-04
SCRA: South Carolina Research Authority
2026-01-23
2026-01-07
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