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USC among 50 Grant Recipients totaling $36.5 million for Build to Scale program

The U.S. Economic Development Administration today announced the 50 organizations that will share in grants totaling $36.5 million to support programs that fuel innovation and tech-based economic development as part of the Build to Scale program. The 2021 awardees will leverage an additional $40 million in matching funds from a variety of private and public sector sources. SSTI has been a proponent of the Build to Scale program, which had not received any federal appropriations prior to the creation of SSTI’s Innovation Advocacy Council.

The 50 organizations hail from 26 states and include venture development organizations, state agencies, nonprofits, institutions of higher education, and other entrepreneurship-focused organizations. The FY 2021 Build to Scale program was comprised of two competitions –– the Venture Challenge, which leverages regional strengths to accelerate innovation and job creation through high-growth technology entrepreneurship, and the Capital Challenge, which increases access to capital in communities where risk capital is in short supply by providing operational support for early-stage investment funds, angel capital networks, or investor training programs.

The full list of recipients is available here, and SSTI is happy to recognize a number of members among the winners, including:

2021 Venture Challenge Grant Recipients:

  • Arizona Commerce Authority, Phoenix, Arizona, $750,000
  • Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, $657,622
  • Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri, $1.5 million
  • FuzeHub, Albany, New York, $753,546
  • Launch New York, Buffalo, New York, $750,000
  • Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana, $1.5 million
  • Rev1 Ventures, Columbus, Ohio, $1.4 million

2021 Capital Challenge Grant Recipients:

  • TechTown Detroit, Detroit, Michigan, $400,000
  • University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, $400,000

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Tamia Sumpter

Tamia is a driven senior undergraduate Bioengineering student currently enrolled at Clemson University. With a strong foundation in her field, she has honed her skills through hands-on experience in research and development at Eli Lilly & Company. During her time in the ADME department, Tamia contributed significantly by working on siRNAs and their applications in finding In Vitro-In Vivo Correlation (IVIVC). Looking ahead, Tamia has set her sights on a promising career in law. She aspires to specialize in Intellectual Property Law, with a particular focus on serving as in-house counsel for leading medical device or pharmaceutical companies. Her enthusiasm for this role is palpable as she prepares to embark on her legal journey! She is also a proud member of the Omicron Phi chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., PEER Mentor for Clemson PEER/WiSE, and currently serves as the President of Clemson Bioengineering Organization (CBO). With her unique blend of scientific knowledge and legal interests, Tamia is poised to make a meaningful impact in the healthcare and life sciences industries.