Carolina Venture Studio
Empowering economic and social impact across South Carolina through the creation and launch of technology startups
Our Mission
To build and launch technology pre-seed startups that focus on South Carolina’s vital commerce sectors, fostering sustainable economic growth and generating quality employment opportunities that support prosperous communities.
By providing strategic mentorship, facilitating access to capiital and building robust ecosystem, we seek to empower a diverse group of entrepreneurs to address significant challenges while creating high-quality businesses and jobs, thereby making a lasting economic and social impact through out South Carolina.
About Us/Our Story
Carolina Venture Studio is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) venture technology studio based in the heart of South Carolina’s Grand Strand. We co-create, launch, scale, and invest in high-growth technology startups by bringing together founders, investors, corporate partners, and world-class operators. Our companies are built to solve real-world problems, many of them co-developed alongside strategic partners.
How we got started
Carolina Venture Studio was created to strengthen South Carolina’s innovation and startup ecosystem. From the beginning, our founding partners recognized a critical need for technology startups that can drive economic diversity and opportunity across communities throughout the state.
After extensive discussion about how best to structure the studio, we made a deliberate choice to launch as a nonprofit corporation. This model allows us to apply a charitable mission from the outset—one focused on building companies that generate lasting economic and social impact for South Carolina.
Our Team
Peter Jordan
President
SaaS, Data Center, Startup Development, Cleantech, AI
Peter is an experienced technology executive, founder and investor who has worked with large public corporations and several high-growth startups. As a Venture Capital Operating Executive, he conducted due diligence and advised portfolio companies on growth, pivots and partnerships. Peter supported fundraising efforts with corporate venture groups and venture capital firms and helped founders achieve product–market fit, build strong partner ecosystems, and develop repeatable sales models—driving significant growth in revenue, profitability, and valuation. Peter has a BA and a BS from the University of Vermont.
Eric Chan
Program Manager
SaaS, Partnerships, Market and Ecosystem development, Mobile, Software
Eric is a seasoned software executive with a particular focus on building teams focused on partnerships and international market development with extensive experience in growing companies in Europe and Asia. In his career, he has worked in a number of industries, including automotive, fintech, mobile/telecom and SaaS. He has also been an entrepreneur and founder with one failure and two exits. Eric also serves as a Mentor/Advisor with several Startup Accelerators, including TechStars, SkyDeck and Blue Startups. Eric has a MS and BS from Carnegie Mellon University.
Gregory Gorman
Partner
Mobile, Telco, Strategic Partnerships, Sports Tech, Industry Consortium
Gregory has extensive work experience with Fortune 1000 companies and international startups. After early roles at HP and Bell Atlantic (Verizon) and five years in government relations at the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), he moved to Silicon Valley in 1999 and founded a global consulting practice supporting mobile and SportsTech startups. Over two decades, he has held executive leadership roles with companies including Nokia, Yahoo! Mobile, Telefonica, AVG Technologies, and InterDigital, focusing on fundraising, business development, strategic planning, and international expansion. Gregory is a Graduate of Catholic University School of Law.
Program Partners
English