Columbia, – Catalyst Labs announced today that it will host the South Carolina AI Showcase & Community Meetup on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, from 4 pm to 6 pm at the NEXT Innovation Center located at 411 University Ridge, Greenville, SC 29601. The showcase is presented in partnership with the Benedict College Statewide Investment Accelerator (BCSIA), NextGEN, and Build Carolina. The event will highlight South Carolina–based artificial intelligence startups and the broader ecosystem that supports them. Attendees can expect live demonstrations from local AI companies, a panel discussion on the state of South Carolina’s AI ecosystem, and ample time for networking and connection.
“The Benedict College Statewide Investment Accelerator is proud to collaborate with dynamic ecosystem builders, such as Catalyst Labs, in the area of technology and innovation, utilizing cuttingedge tools such as AI in order to help earlystage founders build to scale,” said Dr. Millicent B. Lann, program director of the BCSIA. Lann leads the accelerator’s efforts to provide diverse South Carolina founders with capital and mentorship and notes that since the accelerator’s inception in 2023 it has supported more than 20 earlystage founders.
“AI is evolving faster than most people realize, from how consumers engage with it to how founders can build with it” said Shondra Washington, CEO and Co-Founder of Catalyst Labs. “The pace of change is exciting, but it also means we have to be intentional about how we incorporate AI into our new ideas. We believe those conversations need to start in community. That’s why we’re hosting the AI Showcase. At Catalyst Labs, collaboration always comes before competition. Collaboration starts by creating space for connection, conversation, and shared learning.”
“This event is about more than just showcasing new technology—it’s about spotlighting the incredible people building that technology right here in South Carolina,” said Build Carolina CEO Lelia King. “At Build Carolina, we focus on developing and supporting that talent every day, and we’re proud to see so many of our state’s founders and technologists leading the way in AI. The future of tech isn’t somewhere else—it’s being built in our communities, by our people.”
About the South Carolina AI Showcase & Community Meetup
This is the first event of its kind focused specifically on South Carolina’s AI founders. The evening program is designed to give AI entrepreneurs a platform to demonstrate their technologies and to facilitate connections among founders, investors, technologists, and community members.
The showcase will feature:
- Showcasing South Carolina AI startups, giving earlystage companies an opportunity to demonstrate their products and gather feedback.
- Panel discussion on South Carolina’s AI ecosystem, a moderated conversation with ecosystem builders and investors exploring the state’s strengths and opportunities.
- Open networking and connection, time for attendees to meet one another and discuss potential collaborations.