What Boyd Innovation Center does

The Boyd Innovation Center (BIC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit coworking space and tech startup hub located at 711 Saluda Avenue in the Five Points neighborhood of Columbia, South Carolina, operating as a registered DBA of GrowCo Columbia, Inc. The organization serves tech startup founders at all stages, from ideation through scaling, alongside remote workers, freelancers, and small growth teams seeking a professional workspace and community. Its product surface spans three pillars: tiered physical workspace memberships ($50/mo community member up to $500+/mo private offices), event and meeting space rentals (Lounge, Main Hall, and conference rooms at hourly/daily rates), and structured startup programs. The core program is Launchpad COLA, a 12-week tech incubator operated in partnership with Launchpad, complemented by ColaStarts (accelerator), Startup Sprint, and a recurring event calendar (Tech Beans weekly, Silicon Swamp Tech Meetup monthly, Tech on Tap, and Advisor Fridays mentorship).

BIC's underlying technology is deliberately lightweight: it does not develop proprietary platforms. Its community engagement runs on Circle, a third-party digital community platform that keeps members connected outside the physical space, while day passes and meeting room reservations are handled through the third-party CoWorks (CoworksApp) booking platform. Events integrate with Google Calendar and ICS feeds. The technology stack is functional, not differentiated, and BIC's competitive position rests on community curation and institutional partnerships rather than technology. Governance is provided by a five-person Board of Directors (Tracy Dunn, Lanford Holloway, Joe Wilczewski, Andrew Daniel, Melissa Pegus), with Executive Director Sam Herskovitz and Program Manager Dana Watkins leading day-to-day operations.

The business model is hybrid. Recurring revenue comes from tiered monthly subscriptions ($50–$500+) and event space rentals. As a 501(c)(3) organization, BIC also accepts tax-deductible donations through a dedicated portal (give.boydinnovation.org), with the Boyd Foundation serving as the primary financial backer. Distribution is direct via the website and in-person tours, supported by community-led and event-driven go-to-market motion. Formal partnerships with the City of Columbia, the South Carolina Department of Commerce, and the Boyd Foundation embed BIC in regional economic development infrastructure, while a job board and internships program extend the service surface into a founder-to-talent marketplace.

Name

Boyd Innovation Center

Legal name

GrowCo Columbia, Inc.

Website

https://boydinnovation.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Boyd Innovation Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit coworking and tech startup hub in Five Points, Columbia, SC, offering tiered memberships ($50–$500+/mo), event space rentals, and structured incubator programs serving tech founders, freelancers, and growth teams in the Midlands region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Incubator and Coworking Space

NAICS

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Venture Creation Centers (EDAHAHAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Corporate Venture Studios & Incubators (Build/launch ventures) (FSANAHAC)

Keywords

• Coworking space
• Startup incubation
• Tech entrepreneurship programs
• Event space rentals
• Private office leasing

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Monthly subscription revenue from coworking and office memberships, ranging from $50/month community memberships to $500+/month private offices. Multiple tier structure allows revenue scaling as members grow and upgrade.
2. Event & Meeting Space Rentals: Hourly and daily rental of event spaces including Lounge ($150/hr), Main Hall ($200/hr), and conference rooms. Generates revenue from both members (discounted) and external bookings.
3. Donations & Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the BIC receives tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations supporting its mission to build Columbia's startup ecosystem.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Boyd Innovation Center operates a coworking space, private office rentals, and event space in Columbia, SC, paired with a portfolio of structured startup programs (Launchpad COLA 12-week incubator, ColaStarts accelerator, Startup Sprint) and recurring community events (Tech Beans, Silicon Swamp Tech Meetup, Tech on Tap, Advisor Fridays). As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, it provides physical workspace, mentorship access, and a digital community platform (Circle) for tech founders across multiple stages from ideation through scaling.

Product overview

Boyd Innovation Center operates as a coworking and startup ecosystem with three core pillars: physical workspace (coworking memberships and private office rentals), meeting/event space rentals, and startup support programs. The workspace offerings range from $50/month community memberships to $500+/month private offices, with tiered plans providing escalating access to shared spaces, meeting rooms, and amenities. The programs portfolio includes Launchpad COLA (a 12-week tech incubator run in partnership with Launchpad), ColaStarts accelerator, and recurring events (Tech Beans, Silicon Swamp Tech Meetup, Tech on Tap, Advisor Fridays). A digital community platform (Circle) extends member engagement beyond the physical space. The organization is structured as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, officially registered as GrowCo Columbia, Inc.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ColaStarts: Startup program that helps founders launch their startups with pitch training, mentorship, and community connections.
• Launchpad COLA
• Startup Sprint
• Tech Beans
• Advisor Fridays
• Tech on Tap
• Silicon Swamp Tech Meetup

Products and services

• Coworking & Membership Flexible coworking workspace and membership program offering tiered access levels from Community Member ($50/mo) to Cowork Unlimited ($179/mo). Includes access to shared spaces, meeting room hours, kitchen amenities, WiFi, printing, office supplies, and access to the BIC digital community platform.
• Office Rentals Private, furnished office spaces available for rent starting at $500/month with flexible month-to-month terms (60-day notice required). Includes business mailbox, additional conference room hours, and all dedicated desk perks. Designed for growth founders with teams, satellite offices, and industry innovation teams.
• Event & Meeting Space Rentals Rental of event and meeting spaces including the Lounge (capacity 100, $150/hr), Main Hall (capacity 150, $200/hr), Large Conference Room (capacity 16, $75/hr), and Small Conference Room (capacity 8, $50/hr). Evening and weekend rentals available at 30% discount for members.
• Launchpad COLA A 12-week tech incubator program designed to help founders build, launch, and scale tech startups. Operated in partnership with Launchpad. The program culminates in a pitch night where cohort graduates showcase their companies.
• ColaStarts Startup accelerator program that provides mentorship, pitch training, and community connections. Participants learn to pitch, gain access to mentors, and receive support to launch startups with paid customers.
• Startup Sprint Intensive startup program helping entrepreneurs rapidly develop and validate their business ideas through focused workshops and mentorship.

Quantifiable outcome

• $25,000 in non-dilutive funds received by one participant through ColaStarts and accelerator program
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core, regional and minor.

• City of ColumbiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal government partner supporting the tech startup ecosystem in Columbia, SC. Partner logo appears on BIC website indicating formal partnership for regional economic development.
• LaunchpadcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPowers the Launchpad COLA 12-week tech incubator program in partnership with the BIC. Manages the accelerator program curriculum, mentorship matching, and cohort operations. Fall 2025 Pitch Night showcased 19 startups with 170 attendees.
• South Carolina Department of CommerceregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerState economic development agency partner supporting tech entrepreneurship in South Carolina. Partner logo appears on BIC website indicating alignment with state economic priorities.
• The StartupverseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStartup investor directory partner providing visibility and connections to startup investors in the ecosystem.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/in/samherskovitz

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Boyd Innovation Center