Led · Equity · Feb 2026

QWERKY AI is a Columbia-based startup focused on optimizing large language models so enterprises can maintain high performance without the usual spikes in compute expense, energy consumption, and infrastructure commitments. The company has assembled a portfolio of protected intellectual property that spans proprietary processes and an entire family of custom AI models tuned for efficiency. Its core platform targets cost-reduction and speed improvements, and the team has already demonstrated real-world application through a partnership with Inbox Beverage to build an AI-powered container and beverage design system. QWERKY AI augments its technical depth through participation in the NVIDIA Inception Program, NVIDIA DGX Cloud Innovation Lab, and Microsoft for Startups, giving it access to advanced hardware, cloud credits, and go-to-market support. The startup opened its headquarters last summer and positions itself at the forefront of South Carolina’s emerging deep-tech corridor, aiming to spur local talent development in artificial intelligence. While revenue and user metrics have not been disclosed, recent external funding highlights growing investor confidence in the company’s efficiency-first approach to AI deployment.

Participated · Seed · Nov 2025

SiteLabs provides technology that turns independent pharmacies into local hubs for preventive care and clinical research. Its platform enables in-pharmacy screenings for diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, cancer and other conditions, while also linking eligible patients to relevant clinical trials. By generating new revenue streams for pharmacies and expanding access to diagnostics, the company aims to lower costs and improve patient outcomes in underserved communities. The team blends expertise across pharmacy, healthcare, marketing and technology and is led by CEO Darren Schaupp. With its recent seed capital, SiteLabs plans to expand operations and accelerate product development. The company positions itself as a partner to independent pharmacies, addressing critical gaps in care and advancing population health.

Led · Equity · May 2024

PulManage’s platform advances care for chronic lung diseases by remotely connecting patients with healthcare providers to confirm diagnoses and enhance care management. The product includes patient-facing mobile apps that monitor and record lung function and provide real-time feedback via an online dashboard for researchers and clinicians. The company’s stated mission is to improve management of conditions such as COPD, cystic fibrosis, asthma, and other chronic lung diseases and to reduce misdiagnosis. PulManage has matured through the SC Launch Program and has received multiple grants and investment support from the South Carolina Research Authority. It has been invited by Amazon Web Services Life Sciences to represent its product at the AWS Life Sciences Annual Summit and will attend the International BIO convention as part of the South Carolina delegation. The company is based in Columbia, South Carolina.

Led · Equity · Feb 2024

Viatec provides plug-and-play electronic power-take-off systems and auxiliary electrification solutions, marketed under products such as SmartPTO, SmartPX, and SmartAPU. Its offerings aim to lower fuel and maintenance costs, reduce emissions, and create a clean, quiet worksite. Viatec also builds systems to eliminate diesel idling in large vehicles — including EMS trucks — and to maintain power and temperature in tractor-trailer driver cabins. The company was awarded a $300,000 investment by SC Launch, the South Carolina Research Authority’s investment affiliate, announced Feb. 21. Viatec became an SCRA member in 2017 and an SC Launch Inc. portfolio company in 2018 and has previously received a $25,000 project development fund grant, a $46,000 demonstration grant, and $450,000 in SC Launch investments. SCRA’s president said Viatec is positioned for continued growth in the auxiliary power industry. Viatec develops, patented and commercialized technology that electrifies utility and vocational vehicles to provide auxiliary power for zero-emissions worksites. Its flagship product is the SmartPTO electric power take-off system. The company was founded in 2015 and is led by President and CEO Mark Ferri. Viatec is based in Greenville, South Carolina. It closed a Series B funding round in 2022 (amount undisclosed). The company intends to use the funds to scale production and make its offering more widely available to electric utility and other customers.

Led · Equity · Nov 2023

Pixlmob operates a software platform that connects photographers and videographers with verified editors who provide image and video enhancements to improve quality and visibility. The platform also lets editors sell their services, attract customers, and get paid via a secure payment portal. Pixlmob offers verified editors available 24/7, a post-production workflow with messaging capabilities, and tools to track progress. The company said it will use the recently awarded funds to continue to grow the business. Pixlmob became an SCRA Member Company in July 2022 and previously received a $50,000 acceleration grant from the same program.