Beaufort, SC Coworking Offices & Tech Incubator

USCB wins $1M NSF Engines Development Award for Maritime Cybersecurity

**Press event: **2 p.m. June 9 at the USCB Cybersecurity Lab, 1100 Boundary St., Beaufort. Learn more about the University of South Carolina Beaufort's new NSF grant. USCB representatives and elected officials will speak at this press conference.

(Bluffton, South Carolina), May 17, 2023 - The University of South Carolina Beaufort has been awarded $1 million from the U.S. National Science Foundation's Regional Innovation Engines, or NSF Engines, program.
USCB is among more than 40 teams across the U.S. to receive one of the first-ever NSF Engines Development Awards, which will help partners collaborate to create economic, societal and technological opportunities for their regions.

USCB, together with 12 partners, will use the grant funds to plan for the South Coast Regional Innovation Engine, which will conduct research to understand vulnerabilities, interdependencies, and risks in the regional maritime ecosystem and develop technologies to enhance safety and security. Enhanced cybersecurity education and workforce development programs, experimentation, investment, and commercialization of products with regional and national impacts are the ultimate goals.

"The real strength of the proposal is in its partnerships spanning industry, higher education, and government agencies. The transformational power and scope of the NSF Engines grant is immense," said USCB's Chancellor Al M. Panu.

Collectively, South Carolina's port and maritime transportation system represents 10% of the state's economy and includes ports, ships, shipping lines, cargo, people, inland waterways, intermodal transfers and other elements.

The NSF Regional Innovation Engines program is a new initiative and USCB is the lead agency for this grant. Its partners are: University of South Carolina (Columbia); Clemson University; South Coast Cyber Center; The Citadel; South Carolina State University; SC Research Authority; SC Ports Authority; Palmetto Tech Bridge/Naval Information Warfare Center, Atlantic; SC Council on Competitiveness; SCCyber; Technical College of the Lowcountry; Savannah River National Laboratory; American Bureau of Shipping; Fathom5 LLC; Alerion Capital; and Material Capital Ventures.

"Intense collaboration and interdisciplinarity are needed to solve our most complex problems. The NSF Engines grant addresses head-on critical needs in maritime cybersecurity facing the state and beyond," said USCB Provost Eric Skipper, who is heading the grant.

Information security expert Rick Siebenaler of Hilton Head Island, SC is the project's CEO. COO is Warren Parker, Chairman of the South Coast Cyber Center.

The NSF Engines Developmental Awards are planning awards. They help organizations create connections for regional research partnerships and within two years prepare strong proposals for becoming future NSF Engines. These Engines can receive up to $160 million to positively impact regional economies, accelerate technology development, advance national competitiveness, and create local, high-wage jobs.

Contact: Carol Weir, Senior Director of Communications, University of South Carolina Beaufort Phone: (843) 707-6115 Email: weirc@uscb.edu

Beaufort Digital Corridor Welcomes Three New Board Members

Beaufort, SC, May 1, 2023 – The Beaufort Digital Corridor (BDC) is pleased to announce the appointment of three accomplished professionals to its board of directors. Joining the BDC board are Jason Loia, Jeannine McConnell, and Chris Robinson. Their expertise and dedication to the tech industry will greatly contribute to the BDC's mission of fostering innovation and driving economic growth in Beaufort.

Jason Loia brings extensive experience in entrepreneurship and technology to the BDC board. With over 20 years of game production and publishing experience, Loia has served in various C-Level roles in Silicon Valley startups. His role on the BDC Board of Directors includes advising startups on growth and monetization, as well as providing executive coaching for up-and-coming entrepreneurs. Loia's visionary leadership and strategic thinking will undoubtedly prove invaluable to the BDC as it continues to support Beaufort's digital economy.

Jeannine McConnell has a four-decade tech career, spanning from software development patents to strategic global leadership roles. McConnell's most recent responsibilities included leading a global team of technologists and strategic partners at ServiceNow. With expertise in technology innovation, consultative leadership, and cultural change, McConnell is uniquely qualified to support the organization in navigating future challenges. She is a contributing leader to the BRM Institute™, holds certifications from PMI™ and IIBA™, and is a certified OKR Coach and an ECHO Listening™ coach.

Chris Robinson, a visual artist and Emeritus Professor at the University of South Carolina, brings a wealth of knowledge in the role of science and technology in contemporary culture. Robinson's research has explored the use of computers and 3D imaging in the arts, as well as the impact of nanotechnology. His cross-disciplinary initiatives and experience in arts and sciences make him a valuable addition to the board.

"We are delighted to welcome Jason Loia, Jeannine McConnell, and Chris Robinson to the Beaufort Digital Corridor's board of directors," said Jess O'Brien, Executive Director of Beaufort Digital Corridor. "Their exceptional backgrounds and commitment to entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation align perfectly with our mission. We are confident that their expertise will help us continue our journey towards transforming Beaufort into a hub for tech entrepreneurship."

The addition of these three accomplished professionals to the BDC board of directors further strengthens the organization's ability to drive innovation and foster economic growth in Beaufort. Their unique perspectives and industry insights will undoubtedly contribute to the strategic initiatives and programs aimed at promoting the success of digital technology ventures in the region.

About the Beaufort Digital Corridor:

The Beaufort Digital Corridor is a community-driven initiative to attract, nurture, and promote Beaufort's knowledge economy. Focusing on technology and entrepreneurship, the BDC provides a platform for digital technology startups and established companies to thrive, collaborate, and innovate. By offering infrastructure, mentorship, and educational opportunities, the BDC supports the growth of the local tech ecosystem and positions Beaufort as a premier destination for tech-driven businesses.

For more information, please visit www.beaufortdigital.com.

Media Contact: Jess O'Brien Beaufort Digital Corridor Phone: (843) 470-3506 Email: jess@beaufortdigital.com

City of Beaufort Sponsors Scholarships to Train Future Cybersecurity Professionals

Beaufort, SC - Beaufort Digital Corridor is excited to announce that the City of Beaufort has sponsored a limited number of scholarships for their comprehensive Cybersecurity Certificate prep course for COMPTIA Sec+. This self-paced, online program is designed for adults and recent graduates interested in pursuing a career in cybersecurity. The course covers all topics required for the Sec+ certification exam, with weekly office hours available for additional support.

Register Now

To make this program accessible to all, the City of Beaufort has sponsored a limited number of free scholarships. The deadline for submission is May 15th, so interested individuals are encouraged to apply now.

"As we continue on our path to becoming a cyber security center of excellence here in the Lowcountry, it's important to invest in training and development at every level," said Mayor Stephen Murray. "Helping to fund these scholarships is an important part of growing our next generation of cyber security experts."

"Our program provides a flexible and comprehensive training experience that empowers students with the skills they need to succeed in the cybersecurity industry," said Jess O'Brien, Executive Director of Beaufort Digital Corridor. "We are grateful to the City of Beaufort for their support, which enables us to offer free scholarships to those who need them."

This program is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in pursuing a career in cybersecurity. Don't miss out on this chance to gain valuable skills and knowledge. Apply now by visiting the event page at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cybersecurity-certification-course-comptia-sec-prep-tickets-621952636077.

About Beaufort Digital Corridor

The Beaufort Digital Corridor (BDC) is a 501(c)(6) community-sourced tech incubator focused on creating a business, education, and attractive social environment for tech entrepreneurs and tech-related companies. The BDC provides training programs that help build an educated workforce and funnel students into higher education pathways and is a partner of the South Coast Cyber Center. For more information, visit www.beaufortdigital.com.

A peek behind the curtain at USC Beaufort’s new cybersecurity lab

BEAUFORT –- There's little clue that the nondescript building at 1100 Boundary St. is home to a new, state-of-the-art cyber lab that's providing University of South Carolina Beaufort students experience working with the latest cybersecurity technologies.

Given the nature of the classes taking place inside, the building's incognito appearance seems appropriate.

Late last month, USCB hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the lab and recognize participation of the city of Beaufort, the South Coast Cyber Center, the Beaufort Digital Corridor and the U.S. Department of Defense in making the facility a reality.

Brian Canada, chair of the USCB Department of Computer Science and Mathematics, told The Post and Courier the first objective of the lab was to raise the profile of the Computer Science Department on the school's Beaufort campus. But it's also expected to play a more broad role in region's development as a hub for cybersecurity expertise.

"The idea was to create an ecosystem, not just in terms of minds, but also in terms of physical space that would be centered in Beaufort," Canada added.

When the doors to the lab were opened, visitors had a chance to see the unique aesthetic that was employed in the design of the facility. Hardware is mounted in open racks, and what seems like miles of cables are visible as they snake through the room. Nothing is hidden.

"The industrial look of the room design not only supports courses in advanced network security, but it also evokes a sensibility of the kinds of covert operations and investigations like you might see on TV shows like "24" and "The Blacklist" that might take place in repurposed, old buildings," said USCB Chancellor Al Panu, who added that there's no other lab like it on any other USCB campus.

When university officials first toured the structure two years ago, the intent was to determine if it could support a lab and the necessary technology. The building was last home to Bridges Preparatory School, which has since moved to a larger facility on Robert Smalls Parkway. The Boys and Girls Club occupied the space before that. It's choice as a location for a modern, high-tech lab was not immediately obvious.

Canada acknowledged the facility was a little rough at first glance, but had potential.

A working design emerges

He credits Matt Heightland, the school's director of Information Technology, with developing the lab's floor plan and the use of rack-mounted hardware in the lab itself.

"As soon as I saw the workup, I thought this was going to be a really special space' Canada said. "There's really nothing like it anywhere else that I've seen."

According to Canada, the university was after an industrial design that would mesh with the older building. They eschewed the clinical, sterile look that many similar facilities, particularly in the academic world, employ.

The city and the feds chip in

The South Coast Cybersecurity Center reports a need for 300,000 cybersecurity professional in the United States. With a growth rate of 32 percent annually, it's the fastest-growing profession in the country.

Beaufort City Manager Scott Marshall said the city's participation is part of a concerted effort to give local students an opportunity to fill those openings.

The city of Beaufort purchased the building and surrounding property for $2.3 million at the end of 2021, and has entered an agreement to lease the building to the school.

"Providing space to USCB to support an emerging cyber security education program helps to bridge the gap between the demand for cybersecurity professionals and the number of available and qualified cybersecurity experts," Marshall said.

A $1.3 million grant provided by U.S. Department of Defense Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation to the school and the South Coast Cyber Center provided much of the funding to outfit the lab with the latest hardware and software.

Moving forward

Currently, USCB offers a concentration in cybersecurity to its 60 information science and technology majors, and graduated its first students with a cybersecurity concentration this past fall. The number of students declaring the concentration is growing, Canada said, and the school is likely to discuss creating a cybersecurity major at some point in the future.

In the immediate future, the school is pursuing opportunities in a growing specialization, maritime cybersecurity.

"USCB is going to be collaborating with other institutions throughout the state on advancing research to support anomaly detection in maritime cybersecurity," Canada said.

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USCB Student-led Team Claims Victory at Techstars Startup Weekend Beaufort 2023

Beaufort, South Carolina - Beaufort Digital Corridor's Techstars Startup Weekend event, held on March 24-26, 2023, was a resounding success. The event brought together students, teachers, entrepreneurs, designers, developers, and other professionals to collaborate and develop new startup ideas. Over the course of the weekend, teams worked tirelessly to create innovative solutions to modern problems, resulting in the development of several promising startups.

First place was awarded to Garnish, an app that generates AI optimized restaurant menu photos for Food Delivery apps like GrubHub to improve user submitted photos, user experience and to increase ROI for restaurant sales. The proposed app would leverage the latest in AI technology to produce stunning images of restaurant dishes, ensuring that users get the best possible visual representation of what they're ordering. The Garnish team's dedication and hard work resulted in a well-deserved victory and promises to shake up the food delivery industry. Garnish was led by University of South Carolina Beaufort student and artist Tatiana Zalapskaia who shared her thoughts on the event, saying "I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with such a talented team and showcase our innovative solution. It's an honor to have been recognized by the judges and I'm excited to continue developing Garnish to revolutionize the food delivery industry. I had no previous experience, but we made a killer pitch thanks to the mentorship of people who have started international companies before. I'm humbled and honored that these people offered me their expertise and believe in my idea. If you're an idea person, if you crave something bigger, if you want to change your community for better, I feel that Techstars is for you."

Coming in a close second was the team led by Technical College of the Lowcountry professor Angel Kern, who pitched "Cyber Hygiene", a cyber security related SaaS that would target banks for consumer cyber hygiene check-ups. In today's digital age, cyber security is more important than ever, and Cyber Hygiene offers a valuable solution to an urgent problem. With a dedicated team of professionals and innovative technology at their disposal, Cyber Hygiene is poised for success.

"We are thrilled with the success of this year's Techstars Startup Weekend event," said Beaufort Digital Corridor Executive Director, Jess O'Brien. "The level of talent and creativity on display was truly inspiring, and we're excited to see what these startups will achieve in the future."

About Beaufort Digital Corridor:

The Beaufort Digital Corridor is a community-sourced initiative to attract, nurture, and promote Beaufort's technology and knowledge-based economy. Beaufort Digital Corridor connects and promotes the region's tech economy through an array of programs, events, and other resources designed to help entrepreneurs and businesses grow and thrive.

For more information, please visit www.beaufortdigital.com.

JUICE Names Ryan Jones as CEO

JUICE, an award winning, full-service, integrated digital marketing agency focused on maximizing ROI for clients across customer acquisition, ecommerce, and lead generation campaigns, is pleased to name Ryan Jones the CEO of the company. ​​

"As JUICE continues to work with brands that are dealing with complex challenges across digital advertising channels, it was important that we continue to bolster our executive talent," says co-founder Troy Osinoff.

In his more than 20-years of experience in the digital marketing arena, Ryan, a Clemson University graduate, has held senior-level positions with various digital marketing agencies, most recently serving as VP of Client Success at JUICE.

Ryan's steady leadership and results-driven vision for the company will guide JUICE through the next phase of its growth. Throughout his long and successful career, one thing has remained constant – the need to solve a business problem. Whether refining e-commerce strategy, focusing on SEO and SEM for lead generation, or leveraging the full range of marketing tools to generate a buzz, Ryan's approach to digital marketing is always customized and targeted to achieve the client's desired outcome.

"In the literal sense, juice is refreshing and energizing. I feel like that also represents the team at JUICE. While our focus as an agency is client growth, we are also a team laser-focused on client success and the overall experience we're providing to our clients. Having a clear understanding of the difference between satisfaction and success helps guide everything we do, with the latter always being the end goal. We need to make sure the JUICE is always worth the squeeze." he says.

About JUICE

Founded in 2017, JUICE is an Inc. 5000 ranked, award-winning industry leader in results-driven growth strategy development, social advertising, search engine marketing, organic search ranking, and lead generation. JUICE focuses on building scalable, efficient campaigns that drive results.With offices in New York and Miami, the company has quickly become an industry leader in results-driven growth strategy development, social advertising, search engine marketing, organic search ranking, and lead generation. Clients such as About Face, Belgian Boys, Buzzfeed, CAMP, Kenneth Cole, Paris Hilton, Vivvi, and many more have partnered with JUICE to achieve their growth goals and scale their businesses profitably.

To learn more, please visit www.thinkjuice.com or follow the agency on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Taylor Baldwin

taylor.baldwin@thinkjuice.com

(212) 688-3683