Discovering Hidden Gems of Innovation and Technology

The April 2014 [Dig South ][0] interactive festival provided solid proof that Charleston is indeed a technical hub on a national level. Charleston hosted many established and several startup digital companies from the Charleston region as well as from afar during Dig South's conference and expo. Attendees were Dig Nation members and learned more about the growing digital presence in the Silicon Harbor.

The highlight of the conference for many was the WildPitch Accelerators event. This forum provided a platform for innovators to pitch their ideas competing for investment capital. The witty marketing preview proclaimed "scrappy startups do epic battle for prizes." And did they ever! The presenters were polished and compelling as they pitched their creative ideas and business plans. Winning presenter Krissa Watry of [Dynepic ][1] and a graduate of the Harbor Accelerator wowed the audience with her toy box of animated SensiBots.

Mount Pleasant's [Harbor Accelerator ][2] also facilitated a session of pitches from its first graduating class. Patrick Bryant and John Osborne are the Harbor Accelerator's co-founders and proudly introduced the presenters, which included Snapcastr, Tarian Orthotics, Engineered Marine Coatings, Trilogyz, Bublish, and Fieldinc.

Attendees were rewarded with passionate deliveries, many with brilliant closers such as Courtland White's Trilogyz and his Rootz wireless headsets which was "Earth without art is just 'eh'."

Their new products are ready for market and the future looks bright for these startups with Charleston ties. Two other startups were graduates of the Harbor Accelerator and made their pitches in the WildPitch event: Dynepic and Eatabit. Charleston is innovative and creative, and her accelerator programs are boosting startups.

"Here's the Future and Power of Connected Data" presented by Lisa Maki, co-founder & CEO of [PokitDok ][3] , was a pleasant surprise. Who knew that PokitDok has a large office in Charleston and a corporate history that spans years back? Co-founders Maki and Ted Tanner, Jr. previously created BeliefNetworks which was acquired by Charleston's own [Benefitfocus ][4] . Charleston has many hidden gems of innovation and technology, and many of us were introduced to them through Dig South.

One item worth noting shared by Maki in her presentation was that the talent and workforce PokitDoc has hired in the Charleston area are hardworking and excellent. This was a welcome observation, given her impressive experience working in Silicon Harbor and leading technology companies. It was encouraging to those of us who lead technical staff in Charleston. Additionally, many companies that attended Dig South provide technical solutions and contract personnel to businesses and government. Charleston is workforce-ready for innovation, technology and digital excellence.

In addition to the Harbor Accelerator, [SPARC Ventures ][5] and the [Iron Yard ][6] are instrumental in bringing startups to life. More entrepreneurial and accelerator programs were hinted at during the conference and will be unveiled in the upcoming months. Stay tuned as Charleston produces more technology and digital startups.

The conference closing session with Yancey Strickler, CEO of [Kickstarter ][7] , was the capstone event. Strickler delivered candid remarks about his Kickstarter journey with his partners, Perry Chen and Charles Adler. His reflections were humble, and he shared credit with others for Kickstarter's success. He smiled broadly when sharing his thoughts about the companies that had copied the Kickstarter model, even copying Kickstarter's website materials intact. He seemed genuinely happy to have met the Japanese founder of a similar startup, a beneficiary of Kickstarter's efforts. He received satisfaction knowing that startup companies were being funded and reaping benefits in Japan.

Strickler encouraged those with ideas and startups not to worry about being copied. It was refreshing to hear a central theme of sharing and collaboration at the conference be substantiated by a startup with experience and much at risk. When technologists share and collaborate, it makes us stronger as a whole. Strickler fully engaged the audience and ruled Dig Nation for the last hour of the conference.

Stanfield Gray, founder of Dig South, and his leadership team are to be commended for the high quality event in only its second year. Tune into Dig South via social media to continue receiving announcements of movers and shakers in the Charleston digital community.

The tipping point for creating a Silicon Harbor has occurred, and Charleston is truly the destination for a cross-pollination of technology, music, arts, innovation and accelerators. Congratulations, Dig South, you have arrived!

Pam Everitt is the CIO at the SC State Ports Authority in Charleston, SC. Her digital presence is PamEveritt.com and @Pam_Everitt.

[0]: /cp/The April 2014 Dig South interactive festival provided solid proof that Charleston is indeed a technical hub on a national level. Charleston hosted many established and several startup digital companies from the Charleston region as well as from afar during Dig South’s conference and expo. Attendees were Dig Nation members and learned more about the growing digital presence in the Silicon Harbor. [1]: http://www.dynepic.com/ [2]: http://www.theharboraccelerator.com/ [3]: https://pokitdok.com/ [4]: http://www.benefitfocus.com/ [5]: http://www.sparcedge.com/ [6]: http://theironyard.com/ [7]: https://www.kickstarter.com/