This Month's Latest Tech News in Charleston, SC - Saturday May 31st 2025 Edition

This May, Charleston's tech scene saw dynamic growth and innovation, propelled by investments in both talent and technology. The University of South Carolina continued advancing broad access to AI education with faculty workshops and hands-on training in generative AI and ethical policy development, equipping both educators and students for a future where AI is integral to research and the workforce.

For more details, visit the University of South Carolina CIC AI News highlights.

Meanwhile, Charleston Digital introduced the Job Development Incentive, a targeted $1,000 cash payment to small tech startups for each new high-wage job created, seeking to foster local talent retention and bolster startups without imposing capital requirements.

Read the full announcement at Charleston Digital Job Development Incentive.

The region's emphasis on integrating tech advancement with community impact was underscored as major employers like Blackbaud expanded offerings for nonprofit philanthropy, while Ignite Digital Services established its headquarters in Charleston, creating 135 tech jobs and reinforcing the city's technical leadership.

As Ignite's CEO noted,

“The region offers a high quality of life for its residents and attracts a wide pool of technology talent, both of which support the city and our organization's rapid growth.”

Learn more about this development at Ignite Digital's move to Charleston.

Charleston's collaborative ecosystem and new incentives promise continued tech-driven momentum in the months ahead.

Springbot, a longstanding leader in e-commerce marketing automation, has officially relocated its headquarters from Atlanta to Charleston, SC, and relaunched as a full-stack AI-driven marketing and sales enablement platform.

This strategic shift marks the company's evolution beyond its original retail automation focus, now offering three integrated divisions: Springbot Send for AI-powered email marketing, Springbot Studio for digital transformation and branding, and Springbot Labs for intelligent workflow automation.

Under the leadership of CEO Marc Pickren, who recently assumed a majority stake, Springbot aims to accelerate business growth using data-driven tools and metrics, with Pickren stating,

"We're building a company that's faster than the market. When businesses struggle, it doesn't just impact the bottom line - it affects families, communities, and the broader economic fabric."

Springbot's impressive track record includes serving over 22,000 subscribers, partnering with 300+ mid-market and enterprise brands, and executing more than 35,000 digital campaigns.

In just two months post-relaunch, the company is debt-free and profitable, reflecting robust demand for integrated AI solutions. For further insight into their innovative approach and performance metrics, explore Springbot's official announcement on Business Wire's Springbot platform update, a comprehensive breakdown on CB Insights' Springbot company page, and context from the MarTech Edge feature on Springbot's transformation.

With an eye toward expansion beyond Charleston and a strong executive team, Springbot is poised to further shape the region's fast-growing tech sector.

Charleston's technology landscape was in the spotlight as the SC Competes Spring Summit gathered leaders, educators, and students to chart the future of tech and workforce innovation across South Carolina.

This year's event celebrated the launch of the Palmetto AI Pathways Pilot Program, set to bring hands-on robotics and AI-driven technology education to 10 Title I schools - including Charleston's Morningside Middle - for grades 6–9 during the 2025–2026 academic year.

Supported by the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness (SC Competes), IT-oLogy, and the University of South Carolina, the initiative aims to inspire early STEM engagement, expose students to the SC Competes robotic dog “PAL,” and connect classroom learning with real-world technology careers.

As Susie Shannon, President and CEO of SC Competes, stated,

“We are excited to see the reaction from our schools across South Carolina. We are ready to get to work on this first cohort of pilot schools and bring the Palmetto AI Pathways program to many more schools in the coming years.”

At the summit, the Council also announced plans to expand AI curriculum to 30 schools, marking a strategic investment in shaping tomorrow's talent pipeline.

The program highlights the region's commitment to collaborative economic growth and technology leadership, bringing together industry, academia, and government for transformative education.

For more details on participating schools and pilot program goals, visit the official Palmetto AI Pathways announcement, explore event highlights in the SC Competes Spring Summit industry recap, and read the local perspective from Morningside Middle School's news.

School	District
Morningside Middle	Charleston County
Cherokee Charter Academy	Cherokee County
Oakbrook Middle	Dorchester District Two
Black Creek Elementary	Darlington County
Rosemary Middle	Georgetown County
Woodmont Middle	Greenville County
Batesburg-Leesville Middle	Lexington District Three
Branchville High	Orangeburg County
Summit Parkway Middle	Richland District Two
Kingstree Middle Magnet School of the Arts	Williamsburg County

The latest Blackbaud Institute report reveals a landmark moment for nonprofits, with 82% now using AI tools - primarily free, generative platforms for content creation, but also for prospecting and A/B testing.

According to survey data, organizations leading in technology integration are more likely to experience revenue growth: 72% of respondents met or exceeded their fundraising targets, while 44% of those with increased revenue credited adequate resourcing, and 60% believe better training would improve tech utilization.

However, only 14% of nonprofits have formal AI policies in place, exposing a gap in governance as AI adoption accelerates. As Blackbaud's Chief Data and AI Officer, Carrie Cobb, notes,

“We're at a pivotal moment where intentional technology use can create transformative change across the sector.”

A separate 2025 AI Benchmark Report underscores that larger nonprofits adopt AI at twice the rate of smaller ones, and while 85.6% are exploring AI, only a quarter have a formal strategy.

Areas where AI is driving the most interest include grant writing, fundraising optimization, and content marketing - with 60% prioritizing grant writing, 33% using AI for marketing, and 24.6% for grant writing workflows.

The data below summarizes key findings:

Metric	Value
Nonprofits using AI	82%
Nonprofits with AI policy	14%
Fundraisers meeting/exceeding targets	72%
Recommend better training	60%
Suggest improved integration	56%

For deeper insights on fundraising technology trends and implementation challenges, read the full Blackbaud Institute press release.

Charleston is celebrating local talent as Charleston County School District graduate Alyssa Almaguer becomes one of Clemson University's inaugural “Breakthrough STEM Scholars,” a distinction underscoring the rise of AI-focused academic pathways for underrepresented students.

Supported by the CGCS-Bernard Harris Math and Science Scholarship, Almaguer's journey began in the Project Lead the Way program, leading her to major in bioengineering at Clemson with a focus on medical technology and research.

This prestigious scholarship awards four $5,000 grants annually to high-achieving African American and Hispanic students from urban districts, propelling their pursuit of STEM fields and supporting their higher education dreams.

Charleston youth like Almaguer are further empowered by local initiatives such as the K-12 outreach efforts at the College of Charleston, including hands-on summer experiments and company tours through programs like STEM 360, as detailed on the College of Charleston's STEM Outreach page.

Numerous state and regional scholarships, such as those highlighted by the Coastal Community Foundation scholarships for current high school seniors, provide additional financial support for Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester County seniors aspiring to STEM careers.

These combined local, state, and foundation resources are opening new doors for Charleston's emerging STEM leaders - especially those eager to explore AI and biotechnology at South Carolina's top universities.

Christian Geils, Charleston native and the first graduate of the University of South Carolina's new data science major, has charted an exceptional path by merging biology, chemistry, and artificial intelligence in his research.

Beginning as a biology major focused on cancer biology and immunology, Geils pivoted to data science after immersing himself in coding and AI projects under the guidance of faculty from both the sciences and computer science departments.

His interdisciplinary efforts included assisting with AI-driven pathways for synthesizing new chemicals and making artificial intelligence more transparent and trustworthy for fellow researchers.

Advancing his work with a Magellan grant and mentorship from distinguished professors, Geils leveraged machine learning models to help chemists accurately predict properties like solubility and stability in novel materials.

The table below summarizes his academic journey and key achievements:

Milestone	Details
First Data Science Graduate	2025, USC's McCausland College of Arts and Sciences
Research Focus	AI in Biology & Chemistry; Cancer Immunology; Chemical Prediction Models
Key Initiatives	Founded inaugural AI student club; Magellan research grant recipient

Geils encourages peers to embrace opportunities and diverse interests during their academic journeys, advising,

“Try new things, explore your interests, and get involved in as many research and extracurricular activities as you can. USC is a big enough school that you can use its resources and opportunities to pivot your career or future education into whatever direction you like.”

Learn more about his research and the university's evolving STEM pathways on the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences news portal, explore broader 2025 USC News Highlights, and discover how Geils' graduating class is shaping South Carolina's technology future in USC's Class of 2025 celebration coverage.

South Carolina is rapidly cementing its reputation as a cleantech and robotics hub, with nearly $8 billion in capital investments announced over the past two years and a robust pipeline of projects spanning the entire energy storage value chain.

The state's strategic location, favorable business climate, and available incentives are attracting major players such as Cirba Solutions, Albemarle, Redwood Materials, and Envision AESC. According to a comprehensive overview of South Carolina energy storage investments, these projects not only raise South Carolina's energy storage profile but promise thousands of high-wage jobs.

Highlight investments include Cirba Solutions' $1 billion lithium-ion battery recycling campus in Richland County, Albemarle's planned $1.3 billion lithium hydroxide “Mega-Flex” facility in Chester County, and Redwood Materials' $3.5 billion recycling and battery materials operation near Charleston, each creating hundreds to over a thousand new jobs.

Birla Carbon's recent $1 billion graphite facility in Orangeburg County - backed by $150 million in federal funding - further supports domestic battery supply chain security while pioneering a novel low-carbon process that cuts energy use and emissions compared to traditional technology (details on Birla Carbon graphite facility federal investment).

Meanwhile, AESC remains on track with its $1.6 billion Florence battery plant, supplying BMW's EV production and supporting more than 1,600 local jobs, despite some expansion slowdowns.

As reported by the SC Daily Gazette on energy storage sector challenges, South Carolina's energy storage sector is expanding rapidly, underpinned by state and federal support - even as market and policy challenges spur companies to prioritize efficiency, resilience, and local economic impact.

Company	Investment	Location	Project	Jobs Created
AESC	$1.6B	Florence County	Battery manufacturing	1,600+
Redwood Materials	$3.5B	Berkeley County	Battery recycling & materials	1,500
Albemarle	$1.3B	Chester County	Lithium recovery	300
Cirba Solutions	$1B	Richland County	Battery recycling	300
Birla Carbon	$1B	Orangeburg County	Graphite production	124

“South Carolina has worked hard to create a business environment where the electric vehicle industry can thrive... we are proud to have Cirba Solutions as a partner.”

Springbot's relocation of its corporate headquarters to Charleston marks a significant boost to the region's tech talent and job market, aligning with the area's momentum as a burgeoning tech hub.

The company's relaunch as a full-stack, AI-driven marketing and sales platform introduces three new divisions - Springbot Send, Studio, and Labs - each leveraging artificial intelligence to drive business growth and digital transformation.

As CEO Marc Pickren explains,

“We want to help businesses strategically go to market seamlessly and faster with data-driven metrics that yield revenue and positively impact the bottom line.”

Springbot's operations have already served more than 22,000 subscribers, partnered with over 300 mid-market or enterprise brands, and executed 35,000 digital campaigns, and the company enters Charleston's ecosystem debt-free and profitable in its initial months according to their April 2025 announcement.

This expansion is expected to foster local job opportunities and reinforce Charleston's reputation as a magnet for tech talent, especially as the city hosts over 1,100 tech firms across diverse fields, such as AI, cloud computing, and fintech as highlighted by recent industry analysis.

For additional insights into Springbot's growth strategy and its impact on local employment, visit the in-depth feature at Yahoo Finance's article on Springbot's business expansion.

The company's investment directly supports Charleston's rising status as a regional tech powerhouse and model for AI-driven business expansion.

The Blackbaud Institute's latest report, The Status of Fundraising in the AI Era, reveals a significant shift in how Charleston-area nonprofits - and the broader sector - are leveraging technology to boost fundraising outcomes and navigate mounting resource pressures.

According to the report, 82% of nonprofits are now using AI, primarily through free generative platforms for content creation, donor prospecting, and campaign optimization, yet only 14% have formal AI policies to guide ethical and effective use.

As organizations with higher digital maturity experienced greater revenue growth (with 72% meeting or exceeding fundraising targets), the findings underscore a critical need for better training and systems integration; 60% of fundraisers want improved technology education and 56% are pushing for more cohesive tech solutions.

Resource gaps remain a top concern - 44% of growing organizations cited adequate investment as a major driver, while 51% of those with declining revenue blamed insufficient resourcing.

“We're at a pivotal moment where intentional technology use can create transformative change across the sector. We see a lot of potential for organizations to drive real outcomes by investing in AI, building internal expertise, and establishing ethical frameworks that guide its use,”

said Carrie Cobb, Chief Data and AI Officer at Blackbaud.

For an in-depth breakdown, visit the official Blackbaud Institute news release on technology adoption and fundraising revenue, explore the Status of Fundraising in the AI Era report, or review key metrics and recommendations in this highlight of Blackbaud's research on AI and nonprofit growth.

Metric	2025 Reported Value
Organizations using AI	82%
Nonprofits with formal AI policy	14%
Fundraisers seeking more tech training	60%
Met/exceeded fundraising targets	72%
Organizations citing insufficient resources as top reason for revenue decline	51%

South Carolina is taking a major step forward in STEM education with the rollout of new AI and robotics-focused curricula aimed at grades 6 through 12. The Palmetto AI Pathways pilot program will deliver hands-on AI and robotics experiences to 10 selected Title I schools - including Charleston's Morningside Middle and Oakbrook Middle in Dorchester - chosen from more than 35 applicants across the state.

Students will engage with the SC Competes robotic dog and explore coding, robotics, and real-world career pathways shaped by artificial intelligence. One principal shared,

“Our scholars will greatly benefit from this opportunity to access cutting-edge technology that will put them at the forefront of tomorrow's global society.”

Beyond this pilot, a partnership between the University of Florida and the Southern Regional Education Board supports a rigorous, four-course high school AI curriculum tailored for South Carolina's workforce needs, with professional development for teachers and project-based learning as core elements (detailed information on the AI curriculum partnership).

According to the Southern Regional Education Board, South Carolina's 2018 computer science standards explicitly mention AI, and the state is developing comprehensive pathways supported by collaborations with higher education and industry partners (see state policy and standards research by SREB below).

As these programs prepare to launch for the 2025–26 academic year, local leaders and educators are confident this initiative will inspire the next generation of tech professionals and innovators in the Lowcountry and beyond.

Initiative	Scope	Key Partners
Palmetto AI Pathways Pilot	10 schools, grades 6-9 (2025-26 launch)	SC Competes, IT-oLogy, University of South Carolina
High School AI Pathway Curriculum	Four-course sequence, Pilot sites statewide	University of Florida, SREB, SC Department of Education
State Standards & Policy	Explicit AI in 2018 CS standards, Pathway development ongoing	SREB, state government, higher education institutions

Charleston's academic landscape is setting a new benchmark for excellence in artificial intelligence and technology, largely driven by innovative programs at Clemson University.

The university's ambitious Clemson Elevate strategic plan aims to double research output and deliver a top-tier student experience by 2035, emphasizing interdisciplinary strengths in AI, data science, and advanced manufacturing.

Building on these pillars, Clemson's Artificial Intelligence Research Institute for Science and Engineering (AIRISE) unites over 90 faculty across 30 disciplines to accelerate research, education, and workforce development in areas such as advanced manufacturing and biomedical data science.

As part of its commitment to practical, industry-ready education, Clemson has partnered with Coursera to launch South Carolina's first AI-first, fully online Master of Science in Computer Science - admitting students with no application required and incorporating five AI-focused courses designed for working professionals.

This program addresses the region's rising demand for technology talent, preparing graduates for nearly 200,000 open computing jobs in the Carolinas and Georgia.

As Mitch Shue, Executive Director of AIRISE, notes:

“AI is pervasive now, and we have to prepare our students for a different world. Combining all of Clemson's resources in one institute will help us recruit top students and faculty and better compete for federal grants that fund cutting-edge research.”

This coordinated regional focus positions Charleston as a leader in cultivating the next generation of AI and tech professionals.

Charleston's remarkable tech progress and collaborative spirit continue to propel it as a leader in the Southeast's innovation economy. Recent grant funding from the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) supports a diverse set of local startups - from Ripple Two's secure communications solutions to The After Cancer's telehealth platform for survivors, catalyzing both job creation and community well-being, as detailed by SCRA's new grant recipients.

This spirit of giving back is also evident in Charleston's established tech organizations, such as Blackbaud, whose expansion of its JustGiving platform to accept cryptocurrency has helped nonprofits nationwide embrace digital donations - over $1 billion in crypto gifted to causes in 2024 alone, with Blackbaud raising $9 billion for charities since 2000 (read about Charleston tech's community impact).

The ecosystem benefits from a robust support network - accelerators, co-working hubs like the Charleston Digital Corridor, annual events including Charleston Tech Week, and a pipeline of talent from leading universities - underscoring a culture where “tech success and community support go hand in hand.” As summarized by Stanfield Gray of Dig South:

“Dig South is fired up to collaborate with this alliance... We invite businesses and the public to help unite the tech ecosystem.”

The city's accessible infrastructure, thriving mentorship opportunities, and targeted incentives (such as CDC's Job Development Incentive) create an optimal environment for both entrepreneurs and established firms (explore the city's innovation ecosystem).

With growing investments, a focus on equity, and deep community ties, Charleston is poised to set the standard for balanced, sustainable tech leadership in the years ahead.