2018
Annual
Report
Thank You!
To all Digital Corridor members, partners, investors, volunteers
and supporters...
The Digital Corridor's annual wage survey amongst its member companies has consistently shown not only continued growth, but a substantial improvement over the region's average compensation.
CharlestonWorks.com is a web directory provided by the Digital Corridor since 2010. The goal of this initiative is to showcase and map the complete and ever-expanding picture of tech and tech-related companies in the Charleston region, not just CDC member companies.
COMMUNITY
We have been honored to host some outstanding companies at our Flagship spaces over the years. Most have gone on to "graduate" after revenue growth, staff additions and capital investment. We are looking forward to see what 2019 brings for our current group of resident companies!
CAPITAL
Digital Corridor member companies have to date raised a staggering $1.8 billion, and that's just those we were able to verify. This includes grants, angel/VC/private equity investments, acquisitions, mergers and IPOs. 2019 looks to be the year we crest $2B!
The iFiveK, held annually since 2007, has become THE social & networking event for tech companies in the Charleston area. Companies sponsor teams of up to 300 runners and vie for the coveted SPIRIT award going to the team displaying the most energy, flair & creativity.
Progress, growth, recognition
HAVE A LOOK AT OUR YEAR IN REVIEW
NUMBERS & HIGHLIGHTS
Beginning with the 2012 initial deployment at Marion Square Park in downtown Charleston, a total of 12 public parks now boast free, fast WiFi. The Charleston Free WiFi initiative augments and testifies to the strong and burgeoning tech community in our city. Special thanks to our WiFi sponsors and partners: Google, City of North Charleston, Speedwell Foundation and Charleston Parks Conservancy.
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INSIGHTFUL INTERVIEWS WITH CHARLESTON TECH LEADERS
LEADERSHIP PROFILES
2018 saw us receive unanimous BAR approval for the new Charleston Tech Center at Morrison and Conroy Streets in downtown Charleston. Ground-breaking scheduled for this spring 2019.
NOW RETIRED
NOW OPEN!
OPENING Q3 2020
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CHARLESTON CONTINUES TO BE RANKED IN TOP US CITIES
ACCOLADES
BEST PERFORMING CITIES
BEST SMALL CITIES IN
THE US
#1
TALENT
SPACES
50 BEST PLACES TO LIVE IN AMERICA
#25
Mount Pleasant
Charleston
#16
Charleston/North Charleston
THE WORLD'S TOP 15 CITIES
THE USA'S
TOP 15 CITIES
#1
Charleston
#10
Charleston
AMERICA'S BEST SMALL CITIES
#4
Charleston
TOP 10 CITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
#6
Charleston
BEST PLACES TO START A CAREER
#4
Charleston
MOST
PROSPEROUS
CITIES USA
#3
Charleston
TOP 100 BEST PLACES TO LIVE IN THE USA
#27
Charleston
BEST CITIES IN THE USA
#11
Charleston
The months-long filming and production of our new promotional video highlighting Charleston and it's diverse & vibrant tech companies was finally completed to the theme Our Time is Now.
Kirk King
Chairman, CDC Foundation
Ernest Andrade
CDC Executive Director
2018 really zipped by and it only feels like yesterday that we were reflecting on the accomplishments and growth of 2017. And although that year and the years prior saw measurable and remarkable expansion of Charleston's tech community, I truly feel that 2018 was a demonstrably standout year in our foundation's history.
For me, three events highlight a remarkable year. First, the completion of the "Our Time is Now" promotional video after months of filming and production. Second, the retirement of our two long-serving Flagship spaces and the opening of the new Flagship Bridge. And finally, the unanimous official BAR approval of the new Charleston Tech Center and future home of the CDC. Each of these milestones was enormously gratifying and really highlights for me how far Charleston's tech community has come and has yet to go and the large part the Digital Corridor has played in driving it forward.
I am truly honored to serve as Chairman of the CDC Foundation Board alongside our other terrific board members, Ernest, and the great staff and partners who work with us. I would like to sincerely thank all of our members and partners for a terrific 2018 and look forward to another significant bar-raising year in 2019.
The end of a year and the start of the new year is when I feel like I finally lift my head up and take stock of where we have been, where we are and where we're headed. During the year for me is a heads-down, seemingly non-stop beehive of activity. But anyone who knows me, understands that's just how I am calibrated, probably incorrigibly so.
2018 was no exception, but I do feel like the net-net of progress over the year was a few levels over and above past years. It was bittersweet to part with Flagship & Flagship 2 after spending the last 11 years in those facilities. But we were delighted and excited to make the move to our new 15,000 SF interim facility we've dubbed Flagship – Bridge on Meeting Street so that we can continue to serve our members with affordable, flexible workspaces.
2019 will be more hustle and bustle, much of it surrounding the ground-breaking and construction kickoff of the gorgeous first-of-its-kind Charleston Tech Center on Morrison Drive, the future home of Flagship 3 and the CDC. Thank you for your support, your energy, your inspiration and your drive to succeed. Let's keep it going folks!