Frequently Asked Questions
What does USC businessLINK do?
USC businessLINK brings together five USC economic development and
research resources important to the business and economic development
communities, and provides these communities immediate access to these
services these resources can provide. No delays, no hassles, no red
tape.
What are these five resources that make up USC businessLINK?
The USC Small Business Development Center, the USC Center for
Manufacturing and Technology, the USC Columbia Technology Incubator, the
USC Industry Contracts Unit, and the USC Intellectual Property
Office.
How does USC businessLINK benefit the business and economic
development community?
Historically, working with USC has been a complicated process, but USC
businessLINK offers one point of contact, making it simple to get
information or assistance from USC. This assistance can range from
developing a basic business or finance plan to solving productivity and
capacity utilization issues, developing a technology business start-up,
outsourcing expensive research and development, or licensing inventions
and innovations.
Does USC businessLINK provide money to start or expand a business?
No, USC businessLINK is not a bank or venture capital firm. What USC
businessLINK can do is assist an entrepreneur or business in developing
a financial plan or proposal to present to a bank or venture capital
firm
OK, then why should businesses use USC businessLINK?
USC businessLINK provides fast and easy access to exceptional
consulting, world–class research capabilities, and turnkey licensing
that can produce cost efficiencies that increase speed to market and
return on investment.
How does USC businessLINK work?
Just call toll-free 1-866-756-2883 or “click on” www.USC
businessLINK .com to begin putting USC’s business and economic
development resources to work for your company or organization.
Why is USC offering USC businessLINK to the South Carolina’s
businesses?
USC is committed to making it fast and easy for business people (and
the state’s economic developers) to access resources, faculty, and
research facilities as part of the University’s mission to promote
economic growth and social improvement in South Carolina.
How does USC businessLINK benefit USC faculty?
In two ways. First, USC businessLINK provides University faculty a
unique opportunity to apply research and consultation skills to today’s
business challenges and consequently, increase the competitiveness of
South Carolina’s business environment. Second, USC businessLINK provides
faculty an exceptional avenue for garnering sponsored research
opportunities or launching their own businesses.
Who’s spearheading the resources available through USC businessLINK?
Jim Brazell at the USC Small Business Development Center (supported
by John Lenti and the Frank L. Roddey Small Business Development Center
of SC), Gail Shurling at the USC Center for Manufacturing and
Technology, Joel Stevenson at the USC Columbia Technology Incubator,
Brandi Boniface at the USC Industry Contracts Unit, and Lisa Rooney in the USC Intellectual Property Office.
Who’s in charge of USC businessLINK?
Tony Boccanfuso, director, Research and Economic Development, University
of South Carolina.
What kinds of research capabilities can USC businessLINK provide?
USC businessLINK can provide the state’s business community
immediate access to faculty and graduate students with expertise and
experience in research areas from business administration to
electro-chemical engineering (including fuel cells), biomedical science,
nanotechnology, environmental science, opto-electronics, and other
disciplines.
Why was USC businessLINK created?
USC businessLINK was created as part of the USC’s efforts to enhance
public-private partnerships, bolster economic development, strengthen
community relations, and increase external funding.
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