$30K PowerUp Winners Announced!

$30K PowerUp Winners Announced!

The winners of the inaugural $30K PowerUp Competition for startup businesses were announced at a reception on Nov. 20, 2023, in Greenville.

The $30K PowerUp was hosted by Integrated Media Publishing (publisher of Greenville Business Magazine, Columbia Business Monthly, and Charleston Business Magazine) in partnership with entrepreneur and author Erik Weir.

MethodbrPerformance Labs, a Greenville-based company that helps athletes take their skills to the next level, took first place, receiving $15,000.

Thebrsecond-place finisher was Simplicity Community Pharmacy, based in Columbia, which aims to take care of patients’ health care needs in addition to filling prescriptions. Simplicity Community Pharmacy received $10,000.

The Reading HQ, based in Greenville, received $5,000 as third-place finisher. The company offers a supplemental reading program to help children achieve reading success.

The competition kicked off in January, and more than 40 companies submitted applications to be considered. Twenty-one finalists were featured in Greenville Business Magazine, Columbia Business Monthly, and Charleston Business Magazine over the course of the year.

A panel of judges selected the three winners after a round of interviews with each of the finalists.

Weirbrcongratulated the winners as the checks were presented.

“Sixty-threebrpercent of all jobs created in America come from small businesses,” Weir said. “It was a tough competition, and you all did fantastically.”

Other sponsors were Evette Embroidery; Goodwill Industries of the Upstate/Midlands South Carolina; and Kim Lahey & Killough Law Firm.