CYP NEWS BLOG

Young professionals come to Charleston for sun, sand, surf, and a paycheck. Click here to read the full article.

Charleston, a travel destination that enjoys top billing from taste-makers, Charleston attracts a well-educated and wealthy crowd from all over the country. As a result, entrepreneurs catering to them - such as those in financial planning, interior decorating, and catering - thrive.Full Article

The 2008 New Ideas for a New Carolina statewide business idea contest has been receiving many great submissions since the contest opened in late January. Open to all South Carolina residents at least 18 years old, dreamers and would-be entrepreneurs have until May 1 to enter for the chance to win seed money and access to FastTrac programs to make their business idea a reality. Entries can be submitted at www.newideassc.com

Don't miss your opportunity to shine, enter TODAY: To date, close to 60 ideas have come in from around the state, the majority from the Charleston metro area. Upstate and Midlands folks - don't miss out on an opportunity to share that great idea!

We got great prizes in store for this year's winners: Prizes for the 2008 contest will be awarded at the ThinkTEC Innovation Summit June 4 in Charleston in the categories of Engineering, Information Technology, BioScience, Environmental Sustainability and a Wild Card category. There will be one $5,000 Grand Prize, four $2,500 First Place Winners and five $1,000 Runners-Up. Winners will also receive a scholarship to FastTrac entrepreneurial training programs and the Grand Prize winner will have access to a Dream Team of Mentors to help cultivate the idea. The Dream Team consists of business leaders throughout the state, representing a variety of disciplines, who have committed to giving counsel to New Ideas for New Carolina winners. Ideas are judged by South Carolina leaders from angel capital groups, businesses, non-profits, government entities and educational institutions. Winners are chosen based on the idea’s viability, innovation/vision and profit/revenue potential.

About New Ideas for a New Carolina: An idea out of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce to promote the FastTracSC program, New Ideas for a New Carolina and the 2008 contest is powered by New Carolina - SC's Council on Competitiveness and its partners: FastTracSC, ThinkTEC, InnoVenture, NEXT, the Florence Chamber of Commerce and SCLaunch!, the contest's main sponsor, and a number of other state and local organizations with a shared vision for a brighter future for South Carolina www.newideassc.com

Today it is easier than ever for you and your friends to communicate and stay connected online. Guess what? That means potential employers and clients also have that same ease in seeing what you're up to. Be proactive and manipulate that Google search to make them see what you want them to see online with these few steps.Read More