Organization · Grant Maker
SC Small Business Development Centers
SC Small Business Development Centers (SC SBDC) is a network of 21 centers in South Carolina that provides free consulting and educational programs to support entrepreneurs in starting and growing businesses.
Overview
What SC Small Business Development Centers does
What SC Small Business Development Centers is
SC Small Business Development Centers (SC SBDC) is a network of 21 centers in South Carolina that provides free consulting and educational programs to support entrepreneurs in starting and growing businesses.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports grantor and community capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Grant Maker
- Structured capabilities
- Grantor · Community
- Last reviewed
- April 13, 2026
Official channels
Find SC Small Business Development Centers elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
SC Small Business Development Centers as a grantor
Grant thesis
The SC SBDC is dedicated to supporting small businesses in South Carolina through consulting, educational programs, and specialized resources.
Focus narrative
The SC SBDC focuses on assisting small businesses across various sectors and stages of development. They provide one-on-one consulting for business planning, financial management, and marketing strategies. Their educational programs cover essential topics such as starting a new venture, financing options, and social media. Additionally, they offer specialized programs in agribusiness, cybersecurity, government contracting, and international trade.
Value and support
Beyond funding, the SC SBDC adds value through personalized consulting, educational resources, and specialized programs tailored to the unique needs of small businesses, ensuring they have the tools and knowledge to succeed.
Grant economics
- Dilutive
- No
- Nonprofit only
- Yes
Availability
- Application state
- Accepting
Eligibility and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed · Seed+
- Audience
- Founders
- Inclusion focus
- veteran
- Regions
- United States
Process and recipient context
Application process
The SC SBDC offers free consulting services and low-cost seminars to entrepreneurs. Interested individuals can reach out via email or phone to schedule a consultation. The organization also provides access to various resources and educational programs designed to help small businesses thrive.
Recipient context
Since 2006, the SC SBDC has assisted over 6,000 clients annually, helping to start more than 500 new ventures and generating over $383 million in capital formation. They have facilitated over $1 billion in government contracts for small businesses in South Carolina.
Capability profile
SC Small Business Development Centers as a community
Community overview
The South Carolina Small Business Development Centers (SC SBDC) is a statewide organization that has been assisting entrepreneurs for over forty years. Established as part of a pilot program in 1979 and becoming part of a nationwide initiative in 1980, the SC SBDC is based in Columbia, South Carolina, and operates 20 area centers throughout the state. The organization provides free consulting, low-cost seminars, and resources to help small businesses start and grow.
Community focus
The SC SBDC focuses on supporting small businesses across various sectors and stages of development. Their services include one-on-one consulting for business planning, financial management, and marketing strategies, as well as educational programs covering topics such as starting a new venture, financing options, and social media. They also offer specialized programs in areas like agribusiness, cybersecurity, government contracting, and international trade.
Member value
Members benefit from free consulting services, low-cost seminars, and access to a wealth of resources designed to help small businesses thrive. The SC SBDC has assisted over 6,000 clients annually, helping to start more than 500 new ventures since 2006 and generating over $383 million in capital formation.
Membership
- Recorded members
- 6,000
- Pricing models
- free
Format and cadence
- Modality
- in-person
- Schedule
- rolling-admissions
- Commitment
- light
Availability
- Membership state
- Accepting
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders · Students
- Benefits
- mentorship, network-access, and grant-funding
- Program types
- community and bootcamp
- Selection criteria
- open
- Regions
- United States
Community activity
Events and activity
The SC SBDC hosts various educational programs and seminars, including webinars on topics such as agribusiness and cybersecurity. They also provide resources and updates through news articles on their website.
Notable members
Key team members include Don Francis (Founder & CEO), Ashley Jones (Tec), Scott Bellows (Government Contracting Consultant), Brent Hoover (Business Consultant), Martin Goodman (Area Manager and Business Consultant), Paul Featheringill (USC Region Director), Dick Brabham (Business Consultant), Robert Jones (Business Consultant), and Scott Poole (Government Contracting Consultant).
Common questions
What to know about SC Small Business Development Centers
Upseed classifies SC Small Business Development Centers under the Grant Maker organization type. Its current public profile includes grantor and community capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
April 13, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.