Make Startups

04/23/2026

We're excited to support this initiative!

The South Carolina Research Authority today announced the launch of a statewide network of Innovation Hubs designed to accelerate investment and strengthen South Carolina’s emerging technology ecosystems in key regions across the state.

04/21/2026

Sometimes the next opportunity is right across the line.

State lines. Rivers. Regions.

The ecosystems that grow fastest may be the ones that collaborate most.

One of many insights from our 2026 State of the Industry Report.

Read the full report, 🔗 in bio.

04/20/2026

There’s a point in building something where the reality sets in.

It’s harder than you thought it would be.

More pressure. More responsibility. More at stake.

John Dearie shares what that looked like building the Center for American Entrepreneurship and why, despite that (or maybe because of it), it’s still been the most rewarding work of his career.

04/12/2026

She almost lost the business.

Moved too fast.
Got in over her head.
Everything was on the line.

So she slowed down, trusted her instincts, and did whatever it took to figure it out.

Sometimes the answer isn’t something new.

It’s going back to what you already know.

04/05/2026

Most founders hear “no” and move on.

But most of the time, it just means not right now.

The ones who keep people in the loop
Keep sharing progress
Keep building the relationship

Are usually the ones who get the opportunity later.

04/01/2026

The strongest part of any ecosystem isn’t capital.

It’s the founders.

Resilient.
Adaptable.
Still building.

The question is whether the system is built to support them.

Read the full report 🔗 in bio!

03/29/2026

Every founder has been there. At that point where you're pounding the pavement and people are asking "Why would you do this?" the truth is, entrepreneurship is a Leap of Faith.

Hopefully, if you're struggling right now, hearing Darlisa's story can help you keep faith.

03/24/2026

We’re launching a new YouTube series called Founder Stories.

Each video captures a single moment. The point where a founder realizes their business might actually work.

Our first story comes from Andy Stoll.

03/03/2026

We’re excited to share that the Make Startups Institute won a Meta Data Center Community Action Grant to support and map the Aiken Startup Ecosystem!

We’re thrilled to announce the 2026 Meta Data Center Community Action Grants recipients!

Through our Data Center Community Action Grants program, Meta provides funding for nonprofits and schools to support the long-term vitality of Aiken County. We fund projects that address critical community needs by putting technology to use for community benefit, enabling people to build strong, sustainable communities and improving local science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) education.

Congratulations to the 2026 Aiken Data Center grant recipients and a big thank you for your impactful work:

Aiken Center for The Arts
Aiken County Public School District
Aiken Elementary School
Aiken Land Conservancy
Aiken Senior Life Services
Chukker Creek Elementary School
Family YMCA of Greater Augusta
M'Aiken Magic Robotics Team
Make Startups Institute
Ridge Spring-Monetta Middle/High Ridge Spring - Monetta High DECA Chapter
South Carolina Bluebird Society
United Way of Aiken County, Inc.
University of South Carolina Aiken Ruth Patrick Science Education Center

Learn more about the grant recipients http://datacenters.atmeta.com/2026Recipients

02/17/2026

No mentors.
No magic.

Disney learned that the hard way.

Jeremy Mace connects the dots between animation legends and startup survival in this Ideas Worth Championing talk.

🎥 in B!o