South Carolina Business Accelerator

Applications for the 2026 cohort are now open!

APPLY NOW

ABOUT THE SCBA PROGRAM

Formerly the Minority Business Accelerator (MBA), the South Carolina Business Accelerator program was born from the Greenville Chamber’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiative to advance economic inclusion in 2012. In 2021, a generous grant from Bank of America expanded the MBA program statewide. This program is led by the Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville Chambers, with individual programs held in each of the 3 markets.

The South Carolina Business Accelerator supports and scales high-potential, qualified businesses by providing targeted training, access to business coaches, and access to large corporations. Participants leave the program with a three-year Strategic Growth Action Plan to guide their development.

MISSION
The SCBA's mission is to help accelerate the development of high-potential qualified businesses and to strengthen and expand the regional minority entrepreneurial community.

STRATEGY
The SCBA delivers on its mission by using a two-pronged strategy: improving the readiness of local qualified businesses to serve as effective engines for economic development, and engaging the corporate community to more effectively utilize these businesses through local supplier diversity efforts. Both actions are essential for improving the overall economic base of Upstate South Carolina.

2024 SCBA Cohort

Guillermo Avila, 365 Digital Technologies

Rebecca Coates, Point Source Environmental

Rachel Epps, Arts in Motion

Emilio Garcia, Boundify

Kiko Salazar, Tangible

Nekita Sullivan, Yoga therapy Bar

Lynn Walker, New Trendz Barbering Academy

Mac Wilkes, Legacy Transport Services

2024 SCBA Coaches

James Bennett, Upstate Home Care

Andy O'Mara, Sidewall Pizza

Elizabeth Rasor, Denver Downs Properties

Jensine Reeder, The Source Unlimited

Taryn Scher, TK PR

Ebony Sullivan, Cassy Electric

Jennifer Sutton, BRIGHT Marketing & Orange WIP

Tina Zwolinski, skillsgapp

2024 SCBA Financial Coaches

Telena Bolding, Adili Accounting Services

Rich Cleys, Cleys Association

Bill Robinson, Gosnell Menard Robison Infante