Philippe Barreaud and Kevin Duncan with Big Check on Trade St.

A donation from Countybank Foundation will help startups grow in the Upstate.

Countybank and Greenwood Capital announced a $5,000 donation to Greer Moves, a non-profit that provides grants to graduates of The Platform at Greer’s Bootcamp program.

The Platform is an initiative led by the City of Greer’s Economic Development team designed to grow a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation. The Platform’s Bootcamp is a two-day intensive program for entrepreneurs focused heavily on market validation. All Bootcamp graduates are eligible to apply for a Greer Moves grant.

Kevin Duncan is Countybank’s Greer Market Executive and a board member of Greer Moves. “Countybank and Greenwood Capital's commitment not only reflects their dedication to our shared vision of fostering innovation and growth but also highlights their steadfast belief in the potential of organizations like Greer Moves to make a tangible difference,” Duncan said. “Together, we are building bridges and fostering sustainable development in Greer, empowering our community to thrive and flourish.”

Fifteen startup founders applied for the first round of Greer Moves grants. The organization’s Board of Directors will choose the winners from among the applications and will award up to $25,000 in each grant cycle.

“Greer Moves has a mission to help entrepreneurs and startups establish roots in the city, so we are honored to receive this donation from Countybank,” said Philippe Barreaud of Greer Moves. “This greatly encourages us to keep working with local entrepreneurs to offer assistance.”

Greer Moves will announce its first grant recipients at The Platform at Greer’s May 2 Huddle event, which will feature leaders from the Innovation Team from the South Carolina Department of Commerce. The event is free and open to the public. Get more info and register here.