Events

  Richland Library's Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EiR) presents Every Business is a Story (The Business of Creativity - Part 1) on Tuesday, August 18th beginning at 6:00PM. EiR Thaddeus Jones will work with participants to identify their ideal customer, define the problems they solve, and craft a compelling business story that resonates with potential clients.  Attendees will leave with a customer profile, revised business messaging, and a polished elevator pitch. For more information and to register, click HERE to...

Richland Library's Business and Careers presents Legal Aspects of Starting a Small Business on Wednesday, September 16th beginning at 6:00 P.M. at the Richland Library Auditorium! USC's School of Law Professor Benjamin Means will equip participants with an understanding of the legal foundations and first steps for starting a small business.  For more information and to register, click HERE to go to the Richland Library webpage!

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is hosting a Lender Matchmaker event in Newberry, SC on Wednesday, September 23rd! Join SBA for this special event to meet one-on-one with multiple SBA lenders and resource partners.  Pitch your request in private in a "speed dating" format.  For more information and to register, click HERE to go to SBA's registration page!

Harlem's Closet, Columbia's Buy • Sell • Trade sneaker and streetwear destination, will celebrate its five-year anniversary on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at 514 Gervais Street, Suite B, Columbia, SC 29201. The community is invited to come out, pull up, and celebrate five years of Harlem's Closet — five years of sneakers, streetwear, and the culture that built it. “Five years in and we're just getting started,” said Kenneth...

The Richland County Office of Small Business Opportunity (OSBO) will be hosting the 8th Annual THRIVE 10X: Small Business Tradeshow & Forum on Tuesday, September 29th beginning at 8:00am at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center! Experience a high-energy trade show where entrepreneurs, small businesses, workforce partners, corporate partners, government agencies, creative artists, technology innovators, and business resource organizations come together to connect, inspire, collaborate, and propel our economy forward! For more information and to register, click HERE...

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is hosting a Lender Matchmaker event in Greenwood, SC on Wednesday, September 30th! Join SBA for this special event to meet one-on-one with multiple SBA lenders and resource partners.  Pitch your request in private in a "speed dating" format.  For more information and to register, click HERE to go to SBA's registration page!

The Unpacked Leadership Conference returns to Columbia on Friday, October 2nd at the Richland 2 Institute of Innovation (R2i2) beginning at 9:00AM. This year's keynote speaker is Lieutenant General (Retired) Milford H. Beagle, Jr.  Registration is open and early bird registration ends on July 17th!  For more information and to register, click HERE to go to the Unpacked Leadership Conference registration page!

Chase for Business will be hosting the Power of Capital workshop at their Harbison Chase Branch on Wednesday, October 7th beginning at 6:00 P.M. The purpose of this workshop will serve as an opportunity for Chase to introduce Chase's new executive coaching session through Chase for Business Coaching for Impact program to launch November 2026.  Also, this program is designed to help business owners navigate their entrepreneurial journey and fuel the growth of their business. For more information...

The South Carolina Small Business Development Center (SC SBDC) will be hosting the 5 Tips to Improve Your Website Performance workshop on Tuesday, October 13th beginning at 11:00AM. During this in-person event, SC SBDC will explore five practical ways to improve your website's performance, attract more customers, and convert more visitors into clients.  For more information and to register, click HERE to go to SBDC's webpage!

SCORE of the Midlands presents Nonprofit Series Part 9: How to Write a 2-Page Grant Proposal on Tuesday, October 20th beginning at 10:00AM. This online event will assist non-grant writers create a mini proposal and to avoid the common mistakes of writing a proposal.  For more information and to register, click HERE to go to SCORE's webpage!

The South Carolina Small Business Development Center (SC SBDC) will be hosting the Opportunities 2026 Procurement Conference on Tuesday, October 27th beginning at 8:00AM in Charleston, SC! This conference is designed for well established businesses who will learn how to market and sell effectively to government organizations and large corporations!  Representatives from federal, state & local organizations along with representatives from private corporations such as BMW, Fluor, and Mercedes Benz will be in attendance. Registration is now...

The South Carolina Department of Commerce is hosting Ready, Set, Supply! Unlocking Capital, Contracting, and State Resources on Thursday, November 5th in York County! Through this event, participants will: Learn what lenders look for and how to secure small business financing. Navigate local and state resources for business growth. How to position your business for the competitive landscape. For more information and to register, click HERE to go to the SC Department of Commerce webpage!