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College of Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina·University
At a glance
Indexed programs
6
6 currently active
Top direct funding
No direct cash prizes indexed
Equity
No equity on indexed programs
Program mix
5
Pitch Competition · Central Hub · Student Org
Research verdict
Research in progress.
Programs to explore
Compare funding, equity, and timing before you apply.
6 programs indexed
Pitch Competition
AI Innovation Challenge
Pitch CompetitionAlso: CofC AI Innovation Challenge
—
funding range
- Last activity
- 2025-11-20
- Participants
- Undergraduate Students
- Verification
- Verified
Palmetto Pitch Competition
Pitch CompetitionAlso: Palmetto Pitch
—
funding range
- Last activity
- 2026-07-01
- Participants
- Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students
- Verification
- Verified
Known startups and winners
Competition winners and notable student ventures from our research.
Classmate
$2,500
prize won
College of Charleston · AI Innovation Challenge
Academic platform venture; College of Charleston AI Innovation Challenge 2025 second place ($2.5K).
Dorsal Bracelets
College of Charleston · Center for Entrepreneurship
Bracelet brand; College of Charleston alumnus Chad Ross '18.
Jyve Technologies
College of Charleston · Center for Entrepreneurship
Retail workforce platform; College of Charleston alumnus Brandon Brooks '15.
NEXO
$1,500
prize won
College of Charleston · AI Innovation Challenge
Drug detection device venture; College of Charleston AI Innovation Challenge 2025 third place ($1.5K).
NOLO
$1,000
prize won
College of Charleston · AI Innovation Challenge
Wellness mocktails venture; College of Charleston AI Innovation Challenge 2025 audience favorite ($1K).
PollPit
College of Charleston · Impact X
Community discussion app; College of Charleston Impact X new venture course project.
Project HAB
$5,000
prize won
College of Charleston · AI Innovation Challenge
Algal bloom prediction venture; College of Charleston AI Innovation Challenge 2025 first place ($5K).
Tallo
College of Charleston · Center for Entrepreneurship
Talent marketplace platform; College of Charleston alumnus Brandon Brooks '15 (also Jyve Technologies).
TrashForce
College of Charleston · Center for Entrepreneurship
Waste management venture; College of Charleston alumnus Kenneth Ridgell '14 (Ridge Media LLC).
Wonder
Grand prize
placement
College of Charleston · Impact X
Smart baby mattress pad venture; College of Charleston Impact X Demo Day winner.
College of Charleston
Center for Entrepreneurship
College of Charleston's entrepreneurship ecosystem is centered on the Center for Entrepreneurship in the School of Business, led by Director Dave Wyman. The center offers an entrepreneurship major and minor, runs the Impact X new venture course (UN SDG-aligned, $10K+ Demo Day), hosts the weekly Great Entrepreneur Speaker Series, and coordinates multiple pitch competitions.
Known Startups
- Project HAB — AI Innovation Challenge 2025 first place ($5K)
- Classmate — AI Innovation Challenge 2025 second place ($2.5K)
- NEXO — AI Innovation Challenge 2025 third place ($1.5K)
- NOLO — AI Innovation Challenge 2025 audience favorite ($1K)
- Wonder — Impact X Demo Day winner (smart baby mattress pad)
- PollPit — Impact X community discussion app project
- Tallo — Alumnus Brandon Brooks '15
- Jyve Technologies — Alumnus Brandon Brooks '15
- TrashForce — Alumnus Kenneth Ridgell '14 (Ridge Media LLC)
- Dorsal Bracelets — Alumnus Chad Ross '18
Key Details
- Central Hub: Center for Entrepreneurship (School of Business, Director Dave Wyman)
- Academic: Entrepreneurship major and minor, open to all majors
- Student Funding: $10K+ Impact X Demo Day, $10K AI Innovation Challenge, Palmetto Pitch (cash prizes)
- Living-Learning: Entrepreneurship LLC for first-year Honors students (HONS 205 + HONS 390)
- Notable Alumni: Kenneth Ridgell '14 (Ridge Media/TrashForce), Brandon Brooks '15 (Tallo/Jyve Technologies), Chad Ross '18 (Dorsal Bracelets)
Assessment
Tier 3 (medium confidence) — Small but active ecosystem centered in the School of Business. The Impact X course with semesterly Demo Day ($10K+ prizes) is the flagship program, and the AI Innovation Challenge ($10K, 70 teams in 2025) shows growing momentum. Multiple pitch competitions provide non-dilutive funding. No incubator/accelerator building, no student venture fund, no dedicated co-working space for entrepreneurs, and no formal tech transfer/commercialization office for student ventures. The ecosystem relies on course-based experiential learning rather than dedicated physical infrastructure.
News & articles
6 news articles and official sources documenting entrepreneurship programs, winners, and activity at College of Charleston.
6 sources
News & articles(1)
AI Innovation Challenge Showcases Students' Entrepreneurial Spirit
The College Today (CofC News)
The College Today (CofC News)
AI Innovation Challenge Showcases Students' Entrepreneurial Spirit
URL: https://today.charleston.edu/2025/12/11/ai-innovation-challenge-showcases-students-entrepreneurial-creativity Captured: 2026-07-01 College Today news article covering the Fall 2025 AI Innovation Challenge, organized by the Founders Club and Center for Entrepreneurship. 70 teams submitted, 7 finalists pitched to 12 judges. Total $10K prize pool.
Read on The College Today (CofC News)
Official sources(5)
College of Charleston Center for Entrepreneurship
College of Charleston School of Business
College of Charleston School of Business
College of Charleston Center for Entrepreneurship
URL: https://charleston.edu/school-business/centers-initiatives/center-entrepreneurship/index.php Captured: 2026-07-01 The Center for Entrepreneurship homepage at the College of Charleston School of Business, serving as the central hub for entrepreneurship activity. Covers the center's mission, the entrepreneurship major/minor, Impact X course, Great Entrepreneur Speaker Series, and student experience opportunities.
Read on College of Charleston School of Business
College of Charleston CougarConnect
Founders Club - CougarConnect
URL: https://cougarconnect.cofc.edu/organization/foundersclub Captured: 2026-07-01 The Founders Club is a student organization for entrepreneurship at the College of Charleston, offering networking, coaching, and resources. Co-organized the AI Innovation Challenge in Fall 2025.
Read on College of Charleston CougarConnect
Impact X - New Venture Modeling Course
College of Charleston School of Business
College of Charleston School of Business
Impact X - New Venture Modeling Course
URL: https://charleston.edu/school-business/centers-initiatives/center-entrepreneurship/impactx.php Captured: 2026-07-01 Impact X is the New Venture Modeling course aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals. Students form sustainability-focused startups, pitch at semesterly Demo Day for $10K+, and retain IP. Features mentors, cross-training in design/business/tech.
Read on College of Charleston School of Business
Great Entrepreneur Speaker Series
College of Charleston School of Business
College of Charleston School of Business
Great Entrepreneur Speaker Series
URL: https://charleston.edu/school-business/centers-initiatives/center-entrepreneurship/index.php Captured: 2026-07-01 Details about the Great Entrepreneur Speaker Series, hosted weekly by the Center for Entrepreneurship. Every Thursday, entrepreneurs and business leaders speak to inspire students.
Read on College of Charleston School of Business
Center for Entrepreneurship Student Experience
College of Charleston School of Business
College of Charleston School of Business
Center for Entrepreneurship Student Experience
URL: https://charleston.edu/school-business/centers-initiatives/center-entrepreneurship/student-experience.php Captured: 2026-07-01 The Student Experience page details all extracurricular entrepreneurship opportunities including the Entrepreneurship Living Learning Community (E-LLC), Impact X Demo Day, Universal Design Competition, Palmetto Pitch Competition, AI Innovation Competition, and Founders Club.
Read on College of Charleston School of Business
This profile lists 6 programs for College of Charleston. Some details may be outdated until a director verifies them.
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