Mobile Home Sales in Kemper, SC

Cathie Wood, who oversees an estimated $60 billion in assets as the founder and CEO of ARK Invest, made a surprise appearance at St. Petersburg College/Gibbs campus Thursday.

She joined a panel with around a dozen other investors from across the region, state and nation to hear entrepreneurs pitch their companies and ideas. Officials from SPC partnered with Scott Kelly, founder and CEO of Black Dog Venture Partners, to host the college’s first St. Petersburg VC Fast Pitch event.

The participating founders and speakers also came from across the area and country, and Dean Emmanuel Hernandez Agosto told the Catalyst that level of representation typically occurs on university campuses rather than state colleges. He called SPC the “college of the community” and said the event highlighted opportunities for students, 10 of which gave one-minute pitches before the event concluded.

“We are making our way into creating that pathway for growth for our students,” said Agosto. “So, for us, it’s the start of a great relationship to grow those entrepreneurs local to Pinellas County.”

Wood announced a significant plan for the area at the event.

In March, she will present ARK’s “Big Ideas 2023” at the expansive South by Southwest (SXSW) conference in Austin, Texas. Wood noted the nine-day event now includes thousands of musical performances, a film festival, and tech exhibitions to appease sponsors.

She relayed her long-term aspirations to pilot something similar – a South by Southeast – in St. Pete. However, like her investments, it would focus on showcasing disruptive innovation rather than extracurricular activities.

“We’d actually like to flip that around and make this an area where people will want to come to learn,” Wood said. “Not just investors but people from around the world, to learn how their lives are going to change during the next five to 10 years. Our message is ‘get on the right side of change.’ Get your children on the right side of change, and your grandchildren.”

Wood noted the ARK Innovation Center, a startup incubator, will open its doors in the city’s Innovation District sometime this summer. The Tampa Bay Innovation Center (TBIC) will call the facility home, and she expressed her hope that its leadership will change its name to the St. Petersburg Innovation Center.

She explained that her desire for the change is not to compete with Tampa – which has the Embarc Collective incubator – but to differentiate the two cities.

“We want to help serve as a bridge over to Tampa and work together with the Embarc Collective to really make this the new ‘Bay Area,’” Wood added. “You know, San Francisco is beginning to turn a lot of people off.”

Kyle Kemper, chief solutions officer for Sarasota-based RAZE, author and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s half-brother, attended the event. He called the region a burgeoning global innovation hub and said its relaxed live-work-play environment fosters collaboration and creativity.

“And naturally, what occurs when people come together who want to create, a lot of innovation happens,” Kemper said. “The best days are yet to come.”

Presenting companies included:

Spot Social Fitness: The Orlando-based “active lifestyle generator” platform recommends fitness events, activities and people to connect with who share similar interests.

REMware: The Tampa-based company develops sleep diagnostics software and hardware. Its home testing program for sleep apnea includes virtual diagnosis, artificial intelligence scoring of collected data and nationwide coverage by board-certified sleep doctors.

Sober Roots: The St. Petersburg-based hair care startup uses natural ingredients free from alcohol. Its founder, Monica Smith, launched Sober Roots after overcoming addiction and cancer.

MedWatch: Officials with the Las Vegas-based company are developing a non-invasive glucose monitoring watch. Mike Moore, CEO, expects to receive FDA certification within 15 months.

Podetize: Headquartered in Foothills Ranch, California, this company provides marketing, production, syndication and monetization services for podcasts.

Zing Drones: The St. Petersburg-based company offers enterprise-level drone delivery solutions to automate and improve logistics.

Hook Security: Based in Greenville, South Carolina, this psychological and behavioral science startup provides security training to companies.

Tadrus Capital: This Tampa-based capital management firm for institutional and accredited investors offers a fixed 2.5% return by utilizing autonomous mathematical models.

Amplify Capital: Headquartered in New York City, Amplify Capital’s officials seek to identify, acquire and direct operations of privately held e-commerce businesses.

Here are a few items from issues of The Kemper County Messenger from one, five, 10, 25, 50 and 80 years ago.

ONE YEAR AGO

(MAY 20 ,2021)

— The Kemper County Board of Supervisors voted to accept a resolution from the Kemper County School District concerning a $12M bond issue to build a new elementary school. The school district will be allowed to hold a special election on Thursday, August 5, asking voters for permission to use the General Obligation Bonds.

— The Kemper Academy Rams wrapped up their 2021 baseball season with an 11-8 record. The Rams finished tied for first in their district. They advanced to the second round of the state playoffs. Dylan Williamson was selected as District Overall MVP.

FIVE YEARS AGO

(MAY 18, 2017)

— The Kemper County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to contract with Enhanced Environment and Emergency Response Services to remove unknown chemicals in barrels and cans located in the old Alply Building, which is currently owned by the county.

—The Kemper County School Board unanimously voted to accept an Educator in Residence Grant, in the amount of $85,500 between the Mississippi Department of Education and the Kemper County School District during its monthly meeting last Thursday.

— East Mississippi Community College instructor and Honors Program Director Kelly Cantrell has been a named a 2017 Moody Institute Fellow. Cantrell received a $1,000 grant to attend the National Collegiate Honors Council’s 52nd annual conference in Atlanta on Nov. 8-12.

10 YEARS AGO

(MAY 17, 2012)

— The Kemper Academy Board of Supervisors are apparently in the market for a county administrator for the second time this year. County administrator Marcus T. Wilson turned in his letter of resignation — effective immediately — to supervisors Tuesday night.

— East Mississippi Community College’s history-making 2011 football season culminated in grand style with last Saturday night’s national championship ring presentation banquet held in the Lyceum auditorium at EMCC’s Golden Triangle campus.

25 YEARS AGO

(MAY 15 1997)

— Winners of the Mississippi Forestry Commission’s Annual Forest Fire Prevention Poster Contest recently had at Kemper Academy were : Jacklyn Tindal, first place; Kyle Davis, second lace; ad Hannah Luke, third place.

— Mrs. Deloris Jackson Puckett of press proudly represented Kemper County as their nAACP Mother of the Year, 1997, in our State Capitol o Sunday, May 4th.

50 YEARS AGO

(MAY 18, 1972)

— The 1970 Census of Housing counted 3,147 housing units in Kemper County, and 2,280 households had a least one television set, according to the U.S. Bureau of Census. There were 817 housing units with air conditional and 82 with a central system; 1,252 units with a clothes washing machine, 267 with a clothes dryer, and 69 with a dishwasher.

80 YEARS AGO

(MAY 14, 1942)

— Curtis H. Adams, son of Mr. and Mrs. S.G Adams of Dekalb, has been promoted to First Lieutenant of the Tank Destroyer Battalion at Fort Jackson S.c.

— The annual 4-H club purebred pig contest has been completed and the following boys are the winners: David Jones, Porterville; Charles Sciples, Lynville; Dwight Bounds, Moscow; Frank Bethany, Cleveland; Kenneth Weaver, Lynville; Robert Curtis Sanders, DeKalb; Ray Gibson, Damascus; Ole Jones, Cleveland; Mickey Warmack, Moscow; Wayne Allen, Cleveland; and Ted Long, DeKalb.

— The Faculty for the 1942-43 school term at Scooba have been elected as follows: Beginners and first grade, Mr. T.H. Wall; second and third, Mrs. Margie Aust; third and fourth, Mrs. Alma Evans; fifth and sixth, Mrs. Edith Anderson; seven and eight math and science, Mrs. C.E. Crawford, seventh and eight English and history, Mrs. C.E. McBride; high school English and history, Mrs. Esthma Moore, high school math and Science; principal, S.M. Price; and music teacher, Mrs. W.S. Carer.

— James O. Eastland, who served as senator last summer with the interim appointment by Governor Johnson, following the death of Senator Pat Harrison, announced that he is a candidate in the August Primary.

The odds didn’t favor Santa Cruz surfer John Mel, 23, in his Opening Round heat at the World Surf League’s Haleiwa Challenger, at Home in The Hawaiian Islands, on Tuesday.

Odds? Mel didn’t seem to care much about those with beautiful 4-to 6-foot waves pumping off the coast of Haleiwa, Oahu, Hawaii, in event No. 7 of the Challenger Series.

Mel finished second in his 30-minute heat by posting a two-wave score of 12.67. He finished behind Alan Cleland (15.23) of Mexico to advance to Heat 2 in the Round of 64. Cleland and Mel knocked out heralded Hawaii big wave surfer Billy Kemper (10.76) on his home turf, as well as Michael Dunphy (6.33) of Virginia Beach, Virginia.

“I swear, every event I’ve had in Hawaii, I’ve surfed a few events at Sunset and Pipe, I always draw Billy and he smokes me every time,” Mel told the WSL after his heat. “It’s kinda nice to get him back. I definitely look up to him a lot in these kind of conditions, so it was an honor to surf with him out there.

“I was kinda watching what he was doing out there and kinda learning from him. So it was cool to come away beating him and I’m stoked Al took the win. We both got through together. That was sick.”

Kemper tied for 65th place and earned 300 points for his finish. Dunphy, who has posted five top-five finishes in six events on the Qualifying Series this season, including three wins, tied for 73rd place and earned 250 points.

Mel, ranked No. 79 on the 2022 Men’s Challenger Series, goes against No. 8 Joao Chianca of Brazil, No. 9 Ezekiel Lau of Hawaii, and No. 47 Mihimana Braye of French Polynesia in the Round of 64.

Mel said he plans to compete on the Challenger Series full time next season, so he chalked up this week up as important for gaining experience.

“It’s all a learning experience,” Mel said, “so it’s sick to be able to surf really good waves. I haven’t surfed waves this good in a heat ever, I don’t think. It’s a blessing, that’s for sure.”

Santa Cruz’s Nat Young opens in Heat 11 of the Round of 64 against Edgard Groggia of Brazil, Conner Coffin of Santa Barbara, and Kehu Butler of New Zealand.

Boys basketball

Dads Club: The Dads Club Tournament, which features county teams Santa Cruz and Soquel, takes place the next three days at Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium.

In Thursday’s openers, Soquel plays Pioneer at 3:30 p.m., Menlo-Atherton plays Monterey at 5 p.m., Leigh plays Saratoga at 6:30 p.m., and North Monterey County plays Santa Cruz at 8 p.m.

Friday’s consolation semifinals will be held at 4 and 5:15 p.m., and semifinals will be held at 6:30 and 8 p.m.

Saturday’s final round features games at 1, 2:30, 4:15 and 6 p.m.

Girls soccer

Santa Cruz 4, Monte Vista Christian 1: The Cardinals, who have just two returning seniors and five returning players total, prevailed in the teams’ Watsonville Tournament match Tuesday.

Julia Reiland scored for the Mustangs. After gathering a through ball from Audrey Graham, Reiland juked SC’s goalie for an empty net tally.

Goalie Giselle Rocha made 10 saves in her first varsity start.

At Harker 4, Scotts Valley 0: The Falcons were shut out in their nonleague, road match Tuesday in San Jose.

Coaches are encouraged to report scores and highlights to sports@santacruzsentinel.com following games. Please include your name and contact number in the email.

Investors have taken a keener interest in growing South Carolina startups, flooding billions into fledgling companies since 2017 as the Southeast remains a mecca for capital investments.

The region’s traditional “powerhouse” states — Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina — have seen the highest average and largest year-over-year growth in check sizes.

Yet from 2017 to the first half of 2022, startups in other Southeast states, most significantly Mississippi and South Carolina, have seen substantial year-over-year increases, according to a report from Panoramic Ventures.

“Despite a well-documented deceleration of venture investing in the first half of 2022 in the traditional innovation hubs — the Bay Area, New York, and Boston — deal activity in the Southeast is robust and remains relatively fast-paced,” said Mark Flickinger, chief operating officer of the Atlanta-based firm.

“With foundationally sound businesses and sustained investor interest, the Southeast continues to exhibit appreciation across many of the metrics that we track,” Flickinger added.

While the Palmetto State saw about the same number of deals done from 2017 to June 2022 as in the prior five years to 2021 when fledgling companies raised $802 million in capital, a 113 percent increase in check sizes infused $1.6 billion into startups.

South Carolina’s manufacturing and industrial tech retained the top spot for infusion of investor dollars this year with 44 deals worth $598 million. The rapidly expanding Charleston-based solar energy company Palmetto Clean Technology Inc. raised $490 million.

Palmetto began the year with a $375 million investment led by a $220 million contribution from Social Capital, which billionaire venture capitalist and former Virgin Galactic chairman Chamath Palihapitiya founded. The fundraiser was one of the largest for a privately held business in the region.

The company has also drawn investments from actor and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, NBA superstar LeBron James, and musicians Aubrey Graham, a.k.a Drake, and Bono of U2 fame.

“I think these types of investors see what we have seen and been working on since 2009, which is climate change and energy independence is a big problem,” Palmetto CEO Chris Kemper said.

Kemper’s firm is helping fuel the adoption of solar power across the country. It has become a top 10 full-service residential solar company with capital infusions, expanding operations from South Carolina to 25 states, said Jason Conrad, vice president of platform commercialization.

The company also used the capital to build and launch a clean energy platform and other offerings to help retail, financial services, real estate and other industries break into selling clean energy and rooftop solar to their consumers.

In addition to manufacturing and industrial tech, the study found that investors injected the second largest total, $228 million, in 28 exchanges with FinTech startups in the state. And despite having the highest number of deals — 94 — software as a service, SaaS finished third, earning $188 million worth of investments.

Panoramic Ventures designed the report to give investors insight into where companies are getting built and what challenges the founders are facing. The data can help entrepreneurs identify emerging investment trends to help them develop fundraising strategies.

The venture capital firm examined four trends in the Southeast in its 2022 State of Startups in the Southeast report published in October. It found a record-setting trajectory for deployed capital, continued growth in average deal size, new heights in valuations and an evolution in how the industry has come to define investment rounds.

“It’s clear the foundation of the Southeast has been built to weather the ebbs and flows of venture investing, providing an opportunistic hub for entrepreneurs and investors alike,” Flickinger said in a statement.

He added that the region “is no longer an ‘emerging’ venture capital hub just for early-stage companies but rather a mature region with accessible capital for investment-worthy companies across all stages.”

Overall, 10,784 investment deals have delivered $65.9 billion to Southeastern startups since 2017 — $6 billion in capital was deployed across the region in the second quarter, compared to $5 billion at the same time in 2021.

The report found capital deployed increased sixfold from $3 billion in 2012 to $19 billion in 2021, and the average check size increased over 300 percent, from $3 million in 2012 to $13 million in 2022.

NORTHBROOK, Ill., Oct. 11, 2022 – KemperSports announced today that it has been selected to manage four Columbus, Ohio area public golf courses. The company has partnered with the City of Dublin to manage The Golf Club of Dublin and Bayberry Capital to manage New Albany Links and Bent Tree Golf Club. KemperSports has also been retained by New Era Golf to operate Royal American Links. The four facilities mark KemperSports’ expansion into Ohio and give the company a total of 18 new golf and sports facilities management deals this year.

“Ohio and the Columbus area is one the country’s great golf markets, producing some of the world’s greatest players and serving as a host to prestigious events. We recognize this valued heritage, and we are excited to enter its golf scene with these four premier courses,” said KemperSports CEO Steve Skinner. “We look forward to working with the local communities to enhance the golf experience for all participants and to continue to grow the game in the Columbus area.”

According to the National Golf Foundation, the game of golf is growing. In 2021, a record 3.2 million Americans played golf on a course for the first time, which is up 33 percent from just two years earlier, and rounds played nationally finished up 5.5 percent year-over-year. The state of Ohio outpaced the national increase in rounds played by recording a 5.8 percent increase in 2021, a year where there were more than 14.9 million rounds played across the Buckeye State.

KemperSports will focus on elevating the golf, member and guest experience across each of these four premier properties by leveraging its proven experience over more than four decades in managing the country’s top golf courses, private clubs, destination resorts and sports facilities. Built on its passion for the game of golf, KemperSports will bring innovative junior programming and golf instruction initiatives for players of all skill levels. The company will also look to drive community outreach and engagement by revitalizing each facility’s programming calendar and bringing more community events and live entertainment to residents and their families.

For more information about any of the four Columbus-area courses, click the links below:

About KemperSportsKemperSports is a privately held sports, entertainment and hospitality company with headquarters in Chicago and Northbrook, Illinois, and regional offices throughout the U.S. The company manages more than 130 golf courses, private clubs, sports venues and destination resorts nationwide, including world-class properties such as Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Chambers Bay and Streamsong Resort. The KemperSports portfolio also features iconic sports events, such as the Maui Jim Maui Invitational, McDonald’s All-American Games and the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship. For more information about KemperSports, visit www.kempersports.com.