source: The Post and Courier Columbia
COLUMBIA — When Mapquest co-founder Chris Heivly comes to a city seeking his help to attract more fast-growing technology companies, he spends the first 100 days meeting with the founders of area startups.
So far, he’s been in Columbia for more than 100 days and had about 80 meetings — only about 40 of those were with high-tech founders, highlighting the city’s shortage and the work that needs to be done if the Capital City hopes to become a technology-centered entrepreneurial destination.
To be sure, numerous groups and the University of South Carolina have worked on the issue. But in a city this size, which also boasts several colleges and a major university, Heivly estimates there should be closer to 5,500 of these budding founders in the Midlands.