CDC Tech Life Podcast Episode 45 Features Catch Talent Founder and CEO, Christina Lock

Episode 45 of the Charleston Digital Corridor Tech Life podcast features Christina Lock, CEO of Charleston-based Technology Recruiting company Catch Talent. Christina returns to the show to talk about the growth of Catch Talent, her journey as an entrepreneur and various ways she's impacting Charleston's Tech and Entrepreneur communities.

This episode is sponsored by Charleston County Economic Development Department. They're dedicated to recruiting new business, growing existing industry and improving Charleston's business climate.

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Medical University of South Carolina’s Community-Centric Innovation District: A collaborative regional effort

The Medical University of South Carolina is spearheading a groundbreaking initiative to develop an innovation district in Charleston, a visionary project designed to stimulate regional growth and academic and clinical excellence and position the area as a nexus of medical and technological advancement. This endeavor extends beyond the construction of buildings and infrastructure; it is about cultivating an ecosystem where innovation thrives and benefits the entire community.

Insights from thriving innovation districts

MUSC's dedication to this project's success is reflected in its leadership's comprehensive research and strategic planning. The project team, led by chief real estate officer Jessica Paul; chief innovation officer Jesse Goodwin, Ph.D.; and chief strategy and external affairs officer Caroline Brown, conducted interviews and investigative visits to learn more about renowned innovation districts.

These districts included uCity Square and the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center in Philadelphia, Arizona State University's Innovation Zones, UC Davis Aggie Square, University of Maryland BioPark, University of Pittsburgh's Innovation District, Washington University Cortex Innovation Community, NC State Centennial Campus in Raleigh and the American Tobacco Campus in Durham and Research Triangle Park.

In some cases, stakeholders representing South Carolina's economic development and life sciences sectors accompanied MUSC team members to provide additional perspectives. These visits provided invaluable insights and lessons to guide Charleston's innovation district development.

"uCity Square in Philadelphia showcased a mature model of an innovation district's potential to transform a city," said Paul. "Our visit focused on understanding the tangible impacts of such a district over a decade, particularly in terms of community engagement and economic revitalization. This site visit was influential in shaping our vision for MUSC's Innovation District."

"Launching a project of this scale requires extensive research to gain an understanding of best practices and success stories," said Brown. "Of course, every city is different, but there are so many helpful nuggets and lessons learned to pick up from our peers. Talking with and visiting innovation districts across the country provided insight into what will best fit our city and our region. Guided by this knowledge, we will move forward into the next phase of planning for an innovation district in Charleston, with collaboration at the forefront of our work."

Community engagement

The Innovation District initiative is a regional endeavor by SC Bio, the Economic Leadership Council of the Charleston Regional Development Alliance (CRDA), the Zucker Institute for Innovation Commercialization and the SC Department of Commerce, with MUSC assuming a leadership role.

Community engagement extends beyond institutional collaboration. A key takeaway from the Philadelphia visit was the inclusion of local stakeholders and residents in shaping the district's growth. This community-centric approach is at the heart of MUSC's Innovation District strategy.

Economic impact and sustainable development

The Innovation District is projected to have a substantial economic impact on the region. By creating a space that attracts high-tech industries, nurtures startups and harnesses the intellectual capital of local universities, the district is poised to become a significant economic engine. The focus is on generating high-value jobs, stimulating local businesses and attracting further investment to the area.

Charting the course for the future

As MUSC helps to define the concept of an innovation district on the peninsula of Charleston, the insights gained from thriving districts across the country underscore the project's potential to be a transformative force for the city. The pillars of this initiative are the integration of community feedback, strategic partnerships with institutional stakeholders and a steadfast commitment to smart, intentional growth.

"Our visits to Philadelphia, Raleigh and Durham were invaluable in demonstrating what is achievable and the challenges we may encounter," said Goodwin. "Each district we explored had its unique characteristics but all shared a common thread in their ability to harness the power of collaboration and community engagement to fuel innovation and growth."

As MUSC embarks on this exciting journey, the community-centric Innovation District stands as a beacon of potential, promising to elevate the city's economic landscape while fostering a space where innovation can flourish for all. This initiative is not merely about building a district; it's about laying the foundation for MUSC's future and setting a new standard for how cities can integrate technology, health, education and community to drive progress and shared prosperity.

Gigpro Closes $16 Million Funding Round Led By Foundry

Gigpro, the Charleston, South Carolina-based on-demand labor marketplace for the hospitality industry, said it has closed a $16 million Series A funding round led by Foundry, with participation from Stage 1 Ventures and existing investors Stage 2 Capital and Detroit Venture Partners.

Officials said the milestone marks a significant step forward in Gigpro's mission to revolutionize the gig economy by connecting businesses with skilled independent professionals efficiently and seamlessly.

In just three years, Gigpro has distinguished itself as the leading labor marketplace dedicated to the hospitality industry.

In 2023, Gigpro was named Fastest Growing Company in South Carolina in Integrated Media Publishing's annual rankings of South Carolina-headquartered companies.

Officials said the infusion of capital will enable Gigpro to expand its platform and enhance its technological capabilities, while continuing to provide value to both businesses and gig workers.

"We are thrilled to have the support of such esteemed investors who share our vision for the future of work," said Samuel Mylrea, CEO and founder of Gigpro. "This funding will allow us to empower more hospitality professionals, further advance our leading technology platform, and continue to provide exceptional service."

Officials say Gigpro addresses one of the most pervasive challenges in the hospitality industry: labor. This sector faces significant hurdles –- 79 percent of restaurants experience staffing shortages according to the National Restaurant Association.

Additionally, the hospitality industry consistently sees employee attrition rates near 100 percent –- twice the national average.

Meanwhile, 67 percent of hospitality professionals report difficulty making ends meet every month.

The officials said Gigpro's labor marketplace addresses these problems head on, empowering businesses and hospitality professionals to connect in real time, solving the businesses' labor gap while providing additional income and career opportunities to hospitality professionals.

Camgian Awarded $55 Million Army Air & Missile Defense Contract

Camgian Corporation announced today that it has been awarded a $55 million contract by the Army to develop advanced kill chain automation technologies for the Army's Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) systems. This contract will support the development of innovative approaches to improve sensor survivability and reduce warfighter cognitive overload.

Under this contract, Camgian will utilize its Reactor(r) kill chain automation platform and expertise in machine learning and software engineering. The goal is to deliver new automated capabilities that will significantly improve the effectiveness of the Army's existing air and missile defense systems against rapidly evolving aerial threats. Key focuses include enhancing the resilience of sensor and effector networks in contested environments and automating critical decision-making processes to increase the speed and accuracy of threat engagement.

"Winning on today's battlefield is about closing kill chains faster than our adversaries," said Camgian CEO and Founder Dr. Gary Butler. "This contract affords us the opportunity to work closely with the Army's IAMD community to deliver new capabilities that enable our warfighters to fight at machine speed."

Kevin Martin, Camgian Product Technical Manager, added, "We are excited to bring our innovative approaches to the forefront of the Army's IAMD mission. Our goal is to enhance sensor survivability and streamline the kill chain process, providing the Army with faster and more reliable decision-making capabilities. This project represents a significant step forward in modernizing our defense infrastructure."

Jeff Freeman, Camgian VP of Government Business Development, stressed, "This was the largest competitive contract awarded to the company to date, providing a significant strategic growth opportunity in the Aviation and Missile Defense Market. The multi-year period of performance provides the company with the flexibility to support various requirements and end users."

The contract will see Camgian working closely with the Army to develop and deploy these advanced solutions over the next several years. This effort aligns with the Army's broader modernization strategy, which aims to integrate next-generation technologies to maintain a tactical edge on the battlefield.

Episode 44 Features Jesse Goodwin - Chief Innovation Officer - MUSC Office of Innovation

Episode 44 of the Charleston Digital Corridor Tech Life podcast features Jesse Goodwin, the Chief Innovation Officer for MUSC's Office of Innovation. Jesse talks about her experiences with the Charleston Tech and Entrepreneur communities, the formation of the Office of Innovation at MUSC and their initiative to create a Life Sciences Innovation Corridor in Downtown Charleston.

This episode is sponsored by Charleston County Economic Development Department. They're dedicated to recruiting new business, growing existing industry and improving Charleston's business climate.

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Google Sets Groundbreaking Date For 2 SC Data Centers As Tech Giant Focuses On AI

Internet giant Google will break ground next month on a pair of data centers in Dorchester County in what's expected to be a significant investment in infrastructure to support its artificial intelligence efforts and other computing services. Read more: