South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA)

Fueling South Carolina’s Innovation Economy

On August 6, 2020, Don Herriott, SCRA Board Chairman presented an overview of  SCRA at the Greater Island Council of Hilton Head Island and Bluffton monthly general meeting of members.

About SCRA

South Carolina Research Authority is accelerating technology-enabled growth in research, academia, entrepreneurship and industry.

Chartered by the state of South Carolina in 1983, South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) is a public, non-profit corporation that fuels South Carolina’s innovation economy.

SCRA remains self-sustaining through contributions to the Industry Partnership Fund (IPF), income generated from tenants in our facilities and the proceeds from the sale of our government contracting affiliate, ATI.

About SC Launch, Inc.

Established in 2006, SC Launch, Inc. is an independent, non-profit corporation affiliated with SCRA, which provides loans and investments to selected South Carolina-based companies participating in the SC Launch Program.

SCRA VISION

Our vision is for South Carolina to be a top innovation destination.

About Don Herriott

Don Herriott is a small business owner, has worked as an executive with SYNTEX and is a former president and CEO of Roche Carolina.

Don has spent much of his career with Roche, including terms as President & CEO of Roche Carolina as well as the Head of Global Chemical Manufacturing where he helped develop a $600 million pharmaceutical manufacturing investment. In 2004 he was named head of Roche Global Chemical Manufacturing and CEO of Roche Carolina and was responsible for the operations at its manufacturing sites in S.C., Colorado, Switzerland, Ireland, Mexico, Austria and Germany.

Following his retirement from Roche, he was named director of the University of South Carolina’s economic development function, Innovista Partnerships, in 2010 and served in that capacity until 2013.

Currently, Don owns multiple businesses in the upstate. Some of his many civic contributions include serving on the Executive Committee of the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness, Past Chairman of South Carolina Chamber Commerce and founding Chairman of The School Foundation. He chaired the Governor’s Task Force on Education and Workforce Development, which led to the passage of the 2005 Education and Economic Development Act.

You can view, download or print the report by clicking below:

SCRA Overview