Beaufort, SC Coworking Offices & Tech Incubator

Beaufort's Lowcountry Games Presenting at Telfair Museums

Lowcountry Games, a local game development studio and Beaufort Digital Corridor member company, is excited to announce the launch of its newest project "CHATCITIES": a website where players can craft interactive stories. This follows the success of last year's Quiet on Set, a murder mystery game that thrilled audiences. Specializing in conversational AI, the studio empowers players to craft interactive, immersive worlds.

What is AI and Why Does It Matter?
AI, or artificial intelligence, is like giving computers a little bit of "human-like" thinking so they can help us in creative and practical ways. In our games, AI makes it possible for characters to feel more alive–-they can chat with you, react to your choices, and even surprise you with their responses.

"This is storytelling reimagined," says Tatiana Tatum, the artist on the project. "AI improvises in conversation so each player will have a unique experience."

Lowcountry Games will debut this project at the PULSE Art + Technology Festival at Savannah's Telfair Museums on January 18, 2025. Admission to the museum is free from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and artist presentations, including Lowcountry Games' showcase, will take place from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

The PULSE Art + Technology Festival is a yearly celebration of innovation in the arts, held at Telfair museum's Jepson center. For more information about the project, visit Bit.ly/chatcitiesrpg.

About Lowcountry Games
Based in Beaufort, SC, Lowcountry Games has been at the forefront of using AI-driven characters in game development. Led by California transplant Jason Loia and nurtured by Beaufort Digital Corridor, Lowcountry Games has been the training grounds for Media Arts USCB students with their annual internship program.

Contact:
Jason Loia
Lowcountry Games
jason@loia.com

Beaufort Digital Corridor Foundation Announces 2025 Open Board Meeting Schedule

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
**January 8, 2025

Beaufort Digital Corridor Foundation Announces 2025 Open Board Meeting Schedule

BEAUFORT, S.C. –- The Beaufort Digital Corridor Foundation (BDCF) is pleased to announce its schedule of board meetings for 2025, with the first meeting on Friday, January 10th, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. The meeting will take place at the Beaufort Digital Corridor, located at 500 Carteret Street, Suite D, Beaufort, SC 29907, in the Landing Pad Hargray Conference Room upstairs.

These meetings are free and open to the public, providing an opportunity for community members to engage with the Foundation's leadership and contribute to its mission of advancing education and workforce development in technology.

Public Participation

Public questions and comments are welcome. To participate, attendees must register by the Monday prior to each meeting by emailing info@beaufortdigital.com with their name, email address, and comment topic. Registered speakers will have up to three minutes to share their remarks during the designated public comment portion at the end of each meeting. The Board Chair may, at their discretion, grant additional time for topics that align with the organization's strategic goals and current business.

Future Meeting Dates

Board meetings will take place on the second Friday of each month from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at the Beaufort Digital Corridor, with the exception of a summer recess during June and July, when no meetings will be scheduled unless published otherwise.

The Beaufort Digital Corridor Foundation is dedicated to fostering economic growth and opportunity in Beaufort through technology education, workforce development, and mentorship programs. Community input and collaboration play a key role in achieving these goals, and the Foundation encourages public participation at its meetings.

For more information, visit beaufortdigital.com or contact Jess O'Brien at jess@beaufortdigital.com.

Media ContactJess O'BrienExecutive DirectorBeaufort Digital Corridor Foundation843-470-3506jess@beaufortdigital.com

New Acrobat for Nonprofits Offer Empowers Global Organizations to Drive Greater Impact

SAN JOSE, Calif. –- Nov. 21, 2024 –- Adobe (Nasdaq: ADBE) today announced Acrobat for Nonprofits, a new global offering that will significantly expand nonprofits' ability to streamline document and business processes and scale their impact with donors, volunteers and the communities they serve. This builds on the Adobe for Nonprofits offering, including Adobe Express, the create-anything app that helps nonprofits quickly and easily tell their stories, inspire action and advocate for change with standout content.

Like all businesses, nonprofits today need a modern workflow to operate efficiently, engage their audiences and achieve their missions. However, they do not always have the resources or expertise to adopt the tools they need. With the launch of Acrobat for Nonprofits, more organizations than ever before can access the most comprehensive set of document and e-signature tools in an easy-to-use interface, making it simple to manage contract and agreement workflows and create engaging educational and fundraising assets –- from annual reports, contracts and grant submissions to brochures and white papers.

With Adobe Acrobat Pro, nonprofits can also grow their digital presence in meaningful ways:

**Increasing Visibility and Awareness: **Your nonprofit needs to clearly convey its mission, vision and impact to educate the public and attract attention to your cause. Highlighting stories, statistics and recent projects helps establish credibility and raise awareness, which are easy to share with Acrobat's PDF creation and editing tools.

**Fundraising and Donations: **Encourage the community to contribute to your nonprofit by creating stunning, downloadable PDFs that you and your supporters can share online and print out for easy distribution.

**Engaging and Expanding the Community: **Building a sense of community is essential for nonprofit work. Creating PDF newsletters, volunteer sign-up sheets that can be e-signed and other downloadable, sharable materials engages visitors and keeps them connected to your cause.

**Showcasing Transparency and Impact: **Donors want to know how their contributions are used. Share your nonprofit's financial information, impact reports and updates on ongoing projects as PDFs, which makes it easy for visitors to search for the news and numbers they want to know more about. This transparency builds trust with the community your nonprofit depends on.

**Providing Resources and Education: **Educating the public and providing resources to their communities helps nonprofits stand out. Use Adobe Acrobat Pro to create and edit PDF articles, downloadable guides and event information resources on related services, support networks, and advocacy groups.

Advocacy and Calls to Action: Nonprofits can leverage their websites, social media channels and email lists to rally support for specific initiatives, legislative changes and community actions. By providing tools for advocacy, like petitions that can be e-signed and downloadable PDF contact forms for legislators, your nonprofit's digital network can mobilize your supporters for important causes.

As part of this initiative, Adobe is offering the pro version of Adobe Acrobat –- the product most requested by nonprofit organizations –- for just $15 per user per year, which represents a 94% annual savings off the regular price.

Adobe for Nonprofits: Supporting Global Organizations with Industry-Leading Technologies

For decades, Adobe has been empowering nonprofits at the forefront of social change, marshalling its philanthropy, strategic partnerships, employee efforts and innovative products in service of organizations worldwide with resources to address today's most urgent needs. The Adobe for Nonprofits initiative harnesses the company's industry-leading creative and document management solutions, expert support and training resources to help global organizations modernize their content creation and business operations. Adobe Acrobat for Nonprofits is the most recent addition to the program, which also includes free access to Adobe Express Premium and discounted rates for Adobe Creative Cloud.

Global Nonprofits Partnering with Adobe to Enhance Their Impact

Some of the world's leading nonprofit organizations power their business and content operations with Adobe technologies. Following are just a few examples of how they are leveraging Adobe technologies to drive positive change:

• Using Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Express to create compelling fundraising content, manage client information, document important fundraising commitments and design engaging educational and campaign assets.
• Using Adobe Acrobat to manage confidential information and agreements, and create grant requests and fundraising collateral.
• Leveraging Adobe Acrobat to send and manage contracts to onboard new staff members, volunteers and program participants, review and send invoices from community partners as well as edit and share fundraising documents.
• Using Adobe Acrobat for organizing storyboard sequences and filming release forms when creating promotional materials.
• Creating educational and social content that engages audiences and brings awareness to nonprofits' important causes.

Take advantage of an Acrobat Pro account, which Adobe offers to nonprofit leaders for only a $15 vetting fee per license!

About Adobe

Adobe is changing the world through digital experiences. For more information, visit www.adobe.com.

(c) 2024 Adobe. All rights reserved. Adobe and the Adobe logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

December Newsletter

Dear Friends of the BDC,

As the season of connection and celebration begins, I want to reflect on the heart of everything we do: our community. Together, we're making strides in turning Beaufort into a thriving hub for innovation and technology. Every small step–-whether running a 5K, mentoring a startup founder, or simply showing up–-has helped shape the vibrant ecosystem we're building.

Now, we're thrilled to invite you to the BDC's Annual Town Hall and Holiday Party, where we'll celebrate our shared successes and look ahead to the exciting initiatives on the horizon for 2025.

This festive evening is your opportunity to:

• Hear updates about our progress and future plans, including the launch of new programs like Founder Institute, a SC state-wide tech accelerator program lead by the Beaufort Digital Corridor Foundation.
• Meet the BDC team, board members, and community leaders shaping Beaufort's tech future.
• Share your ideas and ask questions during an interactive Town Hall.
• Connect with peers over food, drinks, and holiday cheer.

RSVP NOW

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Your Input Shapes Our Future

While we celebrate, we're also reflecting on how we can grow stronger together. Our Annual Impact Survey is one of the most powerful ways for you to shape the BDC's future. Your insights help us tailor programs, secure funding, and tell the story of Beaufort's tech growth to the world.

But here's the thing: last year, only one voice spoke up. Imagine the power of hearing from our entire community. We need your voice–-because together, we're unstoppable.

Click here to take the survey (it takes just 5 minutes!)

By completing the survey, you're ensuring that your ideas and needs are at the forefront of our 2025 plans. And as a thank-you, everyone who fills out the survey by December 31, 2024, will be given a $5 gift card to City Java.

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Let's Keep Building Together

This is more than a celebration; it's a moment to strengthen the bonds that make Beaufort's tech community so unique. Whether you join us for the party, complete the survey, or simply reach out with an idea, your participation matters.

Let's close this year strong and set the stage for an even brighter 2025–-together.

With gratitude and holiday cheer,

Jess O'Brien

Executive Director at Beaufort Digital Corridor

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READ FULL NEWSLETTER HERE > 

Beaufort Digital Corridor Announces Partnership with World’s Largest Pre-seed Accelerator

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Dec. 5, 2024) – The Beaufort Digital Corridor has been selected to lead the South Carolina chapter of the Founder Institute, the world's largest pre-seed accelerator. This program is designed to help early-stage entrepreneurs launch and scale tech companies and will now be available to South Carolina's startup community.

The initiative aims to strengthen South Carolina's entrepreneurial ecosystem by providing founders with access to global resources, expert mentorship, and a structured curriculum focused on building scalable business models.

"This is a transformative opportunity for our local entrepreneurs," said Jess O'Brien, Executive Director of the Beaufort Digital Corridor. "By partnering with the Founder Institute, we're equipping Beaufort's founders with the tools and support they need to succeed and compete in a global market."

The Founder Institute operates in over 90 countries and has helped launch more than 7,500 companies that have collectively raised over $1.85 billion in funding. Its structured 14-week program helps early-stage founders validate their ideas, develop scalable products, and prepare for growth and fundraising.

Through this partnership, South Carolina entrepreneurs gain access to a global network of mentors and resources, positioning the state as a hub for innovation and high-growth startups.

Kickoff Events Announced

To celebrate the launch of the Founder Institute South Carolina chapter, the Beaufort Digital Corridor will host several events designed to engage entrepreneurs, investors, and community members:

• Jan. 21, 2025, at 6 p.m. – Meet the South Carolina Startup Ecosystem**
  **Participants will be introduced to South Carolina's entrepreneurial landscape and key players in the ecosystem.
• Jan. 22, 2025, at 8 p.m. – What is the DNA of an Entrepreneur? Insights from 15 Years of Research**
  **Learn what makes successful entrepreneurs thrive, based on Founder Institute's global research and data from over 6,500 startups.
• Feb. 12, 2025, at 6 p.m. – Startup Funding in South Carolina, Featuring Venture South**
  **This session will provide a deep dive into funding opportunities for startups, featuring insights from Venture South, one of the region's leading angel investment groups.
• Feb. 25, 2025, at 6 p.m. – Speed Mentoring: Get Feedback and Network with Top South Carolina Mentors**
  **Connect with experienced mentors for rapid, actionable feedback on your startup ideas and expand your network in the local entrepreneurial community.

Mar. 18, 2025, at 6 p.m. - How to Start a Global Startup from South Carolina**
**Hear candid talks by successful entrepreneurs, sharing best practices, strategies and mistakes to avoid from those who have done it before.**

• Mar. 21-23, 2025 – Techstars Startup Weekend**
  **Join a 54-hour immersive event where entrepreneurs, developers, and creatives collaborate to turn ideas into startups with guidance from experienced mentors.

Applications and Timeline

Applications for the first cohort of the Founder Institute South Carolina chapter will open in early 2025, with the program officially kicking off in April. Additional events and deadlines leading up to the launch include:

• Mar. 9, 2025 – Founder Institute Early Admissions Deadline
• Apr. 13, 2025 – Founder Institute Final Admissions Deadline
• Apr. 28, 2025 – Founder Institute Accelerator Kickoff**

**

Building South Carolina's Tech Economy

The partnership with the Founder Institute offers South Carolina startups a unique opportunity to leverage a proven framework, connect with global networks, and gain the skills necessary to succeed in today's competitive market. The program's focus on early-stage founders fills a critical gap in the state's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.

For more information about the Founder Institute South Carolina chapter or to register for upcoming events, visithttps://fi.co/core.

About the Beaufort Digital Corridor

The Beaufort Digital Corridor is an initiative dedicated to supporting technology entrepreneurs in Beaufort County. Through education, mentorship, and community-building, the organization fosters innovation and helps create a vibrant local economy.

November 2024 Newsletter

Dear Friends of the BDC,

As we move into this season of giving, I want to recognize the incredible impact you've made. Thanks to your support and energy during the Run Forrest Run 5K, we raised approximately $18,000! Because of you, this award will not only strengthen our programs but also nucleate the formation of new initiatives under the BDC Foundation, like Launch Beaufort, our upcoming tech accelerator program designed to ignite local innovation and empower startups, with an exciting launch by the new year. Together, you're helping make Beaufort a thriving tech hub, one step at a time.

With Giving Tuesday coming up on December 3, we're excited to share that there are many ways to continue giving beyond financial support: By showing up to network, mentoring an emerging tech professional, joining our board, or even exploring our part-time coding instructor role, you're building and inspiring our community. Your involvement directly shapes the BDC's future, and it's the heart of everything we do.

Another way to create lasting impact is by completing our annual impact survey. Your feedback guides our initiatives and strengthens our story, allowing us to demonstrate our return on investment to funders and stakeholders. Please take a few moments to fill out the survey by December 31, 2024, so that we can keep serving you better.

Thank you for your commitment to Beaufort's future. Together, we're creating something truly transformative.

With gratitude,

Jess O'Brien

Executive Director at Beaufort Digital Corridor

Download my Digital Business Card

READ FULL NEWSLETTER HERE >