South Carolina the only southeastern State to sign a bilateral research and development agreement with Israel with a built in funding mechanism. In October, the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) and MATIMOP signed a unique agreement to develop bilateral economic relations. They agreed to identify, qualify and finance South Carolina and Israel entities to collaborate in industrial R&D projects. Requests for proposals are now being accepted.

SCRA provides funding and direct access to a pool of more than 500 South Carolina-based start-up companies who have applied for assistance through the SC Launch program and to a state-wide database of established companies. SCRA also provides "Innovation Centers" close to South Carolina's research universities. MATIMOP provides a complementary Israeli database and "on-demand" partner matching services.

Participants:
Dirk Brown, Executive Director, Faber Entrepreneurship Center, University of South Carolina
William Kirkland, Executive Director, Office of Economic Engagement & USC/Columbia Technology Incubator, University of South Carolina Bill Mahoney, CEO, SCRA
Russ Keller, Vice President, SCRA
George Patrick, Deputy Secretary, South Carolina Department of Commerce
Moderator: Morris Ellison, Partner, Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice