2019
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
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.
Expansion. Elevation. Distinction.
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.
20
19
INSIGHTFUL INTERVIEWS WITH CHARLESTON TECH LEADERS
LEADERSHIP PROFILES
2019 brought the ground-breaking and start of construction for the Charleston Technology Center
in downtown Charleston. The entire 2nd floor will be Flagship3, a state-of-the-art 18,000SF co-working facility and the new home of the
Digital Corridor!
UNDER CONSTRUCTION!
20
19
CHARLESTON CONTINUES TO BE RANKED IN TOP US CITIES
ACCOLADES
BEST SMALL CITY IN THE WORLD
BEST CITY
IN AMERICA
#1
TALENT
BEST US CITIES TO START A BUSINESS
#7
Charleston
Charleston
#1
Charleston
FIVE CITIES TO WATCH IN 2020
WHERE JOBS WILL BE IN 2020
#5
Charleston
#1
Charleston
BEST CITY
IN THE WORLD
#12
Charleston
BEST PLACES TO LIVE IN AMERICA
#7
Charleston
BEST TECH CITIES FOR GENDER INEQUALITY
#6
Charleston
TOP BOOMTOWNS IN AMERICA
#8
Charleston
TOP BOOMTOWNS IN AMERICA
#3
Mount Pleasant
BEST CITIES FOR A STAYCATION
#6
Charleston
Our 2018 promotional
video, titled Our Time is
Now, which highlights
Charleston and it's
diverse & vibrant tech
companies wins
at the 2019 SEDC
Annual Conference in
New Orleans!
Kirk King
Chairman, CDC Foundation
Ernest Andrade
CDC Executive Director
It’s once again time for us to ever so briefly pause and look at the
year behind us. Although we’re typically averse to looking back, it’s
important to review what has transpired and what was accomplished in
2019; and yes, even the decade preceding.
At the outset of 2019, we were looking particularly forward to a major
milestone in the history of the Charleston Digital Corridor- the
groundbreaking of the Charleston Tech Center, which is the future home
of the CDC. Well, the groundbreaking indeed happened with much fanfare
and now, after only months, the imposing steel frame of the
one-of-a-kind structure is already stretching into the sky while
revitalizing an area of our community.
What we weren’t expecting was another completely new facility to join
the Flagship family legacy. And yet, as I write this note, the
Flagship-WestEdge is just days away from opening its doors to growing
tech & life science companies in need of high-quality, flexible
workspace.
This year’s report, along with all those in the preceding decade, show
without a doubt that the CDC is and has been instrumental to the rapid
and remarkable growth of Charleston’s tech economy. I’d like to thank
our director, Ernest Andrade, and his remarkable staff for the dogged
and unceasing dedication to making Charleston’s tech community better
year over year - 2019 certainly being no exception. Now we face forward
again and eagerly anticipate all that the year and decade ahead have in
store. Happy New Year!
Phew! 2019 was quite a workout, but I’m feeling the really good kind of
sore. I’m really proud of what the Corridor has accomplished this past
year (and decade) and even more gratified with the stellar accolades the
Charleston region is receiving, thanks in large part to the success of
our tech community.
When I think of the high points of 2019, the CTC ground-breaking has to
be our biggest and proudest achievement to date. The toil and tears it
took to get there only made it that much sweeter. But haven’t many of
you heard me say that I must be a glutton for punishment? So when the
request came to lead the buildout and management of yet another tech and
life-sciences focused facility at the City’s behest, I said, “Yeah sure,
no problem!” Cue the brand new 8,000sq.ft. Flagship-WestEdge, which will
open shortly – and is already at near full capacity.
But the Digital Corridor is and always has been about much more than
Spaces and I’m pleased with our continual growth and accomplishments in
the areas of Community and Talent over the last year and decade as well.
To that point, stay tuned for the imminent launch of the CDC Diversity
Initiative, our new capital campaign, with an initial goal of raising
$100,000 to further support the growth and diversity of our tech
community. I’ll be in touch personally with many of you to give further
details, make the case and an appeal for your investment in the cause.
As a community, we’ve made major strides and I am confident that
together, we can do more. I truly wish to thank you for your steadfast
support of what we do and certainly for all that you do as well to
enrich this terrific community. Let’s roll!
& decade!
^
SPACES
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.
The Digital Corridor was asked by City Council to manage a 4th-floor,
8,000 square foot co-working space at the brand new 22 WestEdge. Located in downtown Charleston in the Medical District, Flagship
WestEdge is ideally and exclusively positioned for tech and life sciences
companies.
NOW LEASING!
Although it is only a temporary home, it has served us, our residents and
the Charleston tech community extremely well. Hard to believe we've
already passed the one year mark – and we're excited to see what year two
has in store!
CELEBRATING ONE YEAR!