Charleston Tech Week Reinforced What I’ve Always Believed About South Carolina’s Tech Future

By Jamie DeMent, Director of SC Tech, SC Competes

One of my favorite parts of this job is getting to spend time with the people who are as passionate as I am about South Carolina’s future.

Last week, SC Competes hosted the SC Tech cluster Palmetto Tech Showcase at Alhambra Hall in Mount Pleasant as part of Charleston Tech Week. More than 115 attendees joined us, representing technology companies, startups, investors, state agencies, students, educators, and economic developers from across the state.

The evening featured seven company demonstrations, plenty of networking, and a thoughtful fireside chat with Charleston-based startup and cybersecurity experts, JT White and Ken Bible. The technologies on display were impressive, showing the diversity of our entrepreneur community – from life sciences to hospitality to manufacturing process improvements, the talent we have right here in SC is incredible. 

After talking my way around the room of exhibitors and guests, what stood out to me most were the conversations about talent development (especially in the age of AI), community building, and what it will take to ensure South Carolina remains competitive in an increasingly technology-driven world.

As I drove home, I found myself thinking less about any single company or technology and more about the bigger picture.

South Carolina is at an important moment.

We Have to Keep Our Builders Here

One of the strongest themes from the fireside chat was the importance of supporting entrepreneurs and startup founders.

JT and Ken spoke candidly about a challenge we’ve all seen: talented founders launch companies in South Carolina, gain traction, attract investment, and then find themselves pulled elsewhere as their businesses grow.

That should concern all of us. Not because we want to limit opportunity, but because we know South Carolina has the talent, creativity, and ambition needed to build great companies right here.

The question is whether we’re building the ecosystem to support them.

Founders need more than capital. They need mentors. They need networks. They need customers, champions, and communities that help them navigate the inevitable challenges that come with building something new.

One of the reasons events like Charleston Tech Week matter is because they create those connections.

Charleston Matters, But So Does the Rest of South Carolina.

Charleston has earned its reputation as one of the Southeast’s leading innovation hubs, and Charleston Tech Week continues to showcase the incredible momentum happening in the Lowcountry. We selected Ken and JT as speakers because we wanted to showcase why these two nationally recognized talents have chosen to live, work, and build in Charleston, SC. Of course, at this particular event, in a beautiful ballroom overlooking the ocean, on a cloudless summer evening, with pimento cheese and hot crab dip on our plates and the sounds of the marsh birds in the background, it wasn’t a hard lifestyle to sell. 

But one thing I appreciated hearing from both JT and Ken was their emphasis on the entire state. Neither wants to see only Charleston succeed, they want to see South Carolina succeed.

I couldn’t agree more.

At SC Tech, we have the privilege of working with leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, and innovators from every corner of the state. Whether I’m in Charleston, Greenville, Columbia, Myrtle Beach, Rock Hill, or somewhere in between, I consistently meet people who are passionate about solving problems and creating opportunities for others.

If we continue investing in talent, supporting entrepreneurs,strengthening our networks, and embracing innovation across industries, South Carolina can become a place where great ideas don’t just start—they stay, scale, and thrive.

Thank you to all who helped make Charleston Tech Week happen! It is initiatives like these that remind us of how much momentum and that we have the right people here to grow South Carolina into an even more competitive destination for a multitude of technology-enabled industries.