//City Joins Strategic Partnership for Entrepreneurship

City Joins Strategic Partnership for Entrepreneurship

The City of Greenville, Greenville County, Greenville Chamber, Furman University and NEXT hosted a joint media briefing to detail major announcements, including: The movement of NEXT’s organizational charter under the Greenville Chamber Foundation, significant financial investment from the Chamber, City of Greenville, and Greenville County, the relocation of several regional economic development offices to their NEXT on Main facility, and the launch of the search for the NEXT CEO.

NEXT will  move its organizational charter under the Greenville Chamber Foundation, opening NEXT up to 501(c)(3) status. By moving to the Foundation, NEXT will gain access to a revised governance model as well as enhanced access to partnerships and resources that will lead to the continued growth of Greenville’s high impact entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Additionally, the City of Greenville and Greenville County announced significant increases in their investment into NEXT.

“Greenville City Council has identified Economic Development as one of the City’s top priorities and has allocated significant resources to achieve its economic development goals,” said Greenville City Manager John McDonough. “ In order to be positioned to innovate and successfully compete in a Global economy we must support talent and entrepreneurial development in a targeted and collaborative way.” 

NEXT also announced that their NEXT on Main facility, located on the 3rd floor of the Bank of America building overlooking ONE City Plaza, will now include offices for NEXT, the City of Greenville’s Economic Development team, and Furman’s Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. 

“Furman is excited to be part of this shared working space with NEXT and the City of Greenville,” said Dr. Elizabeth Davis, president of Furman University. “This is an excellent opportunity for our students, faculty and staff to engage in meaningful work with the city, and to help make Greenville a leading innovation hub in the country. “  

This multi-pronged announcement was closed by Scott Millwood, Founder and CEO of Yesflow and co-founder and current board chair of NEXT. Millwood said  NEXT will begin its campaign to increase its support of regional entrepreneurs, as well as the launch of the search for NEXT’s CEO. 

“Looking to the future, we intend to 3X NEXT, meaning we aim to triple investments and the companies and entrepreneurs served.  We look forward to expanded partnerships with the City of Greenville, Greenville County and Furman University. We are eager to maintain and grow our strategic partnerships with the Greenville Chamber and other Upstate