A digital download of the IT workforce
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In honor of National Techies Day, we worked with Jamie DeMent, the Marketing Services Manager for Charleston Regional Development Alliance and Charleston Open Source, to give you a download on the CHS tech scene.

Charleston’s IT workforce has grown 3.5X faster than the U.S.’s since 2010, with the area currently boasting over 300 tech companies with more than 11,000 employees in the tri-county region. The momentum of the growing IT/cybersecurity community supports all the region’s industries– from hospitality to defense to aerospace, automotive, + life sciences.

Through initiatives like Charleston Open Source– a tech talent branding campaign and platform which brings together local developers, designers, entrepreneurs, + tech leaders to collaborate, network, + engage in Charleston’s tech industry– the Charleston region is seeing an increase in diverse career opportunities and is setting itself up to be a tech hub, attracting + retaining tech talent.

Charleston is uploading talent

CHS continues to top national employment rankings:

Ranked 4th for “America’s Biggest Boomtowns”- MagnifyMoney, 2018
Ranked 4th for “Best Place to Start a Career”- Wallethub, 2018
Ranked 4th for “Best midsize U.S. metro for Jobs” - Forbes, 2017
Ranked 3rd for “East Coast Cities Attracting Millennials” - Inc, 2017
Ranked 25th for “Next in RTech” - TechNet 2017

Why Charleston?

Charleston provides people with the opportunity to do innovative work in an inspiring place (hello, beaches).

Additionally, the tri-county works to bolster a collaborative community of entrepreneurs, educators, and fellow tech talent. Those working in the tech industry and organizations, such as the Charleston Digital Corridor and the Harbor Entrepreneur Center, are engaged in creating, scaling, investing, mentoring, and building a supportive environment for tech talent + business.

"You can spend the morning coding on the beach, have a few oysters for lunch, and present your stack in the afternoon." – AJ Richichi, CEO/Founder, Sentio

Speak techie to me

Learn more and stay connected with these local tech, entrepreneurial and IT education resources:

Entrepreneurial:
1 Million Cups | Works with entrepreneurs– providing them with the tools + resources to help start and grow their businesses.
Harbor Entrepreneur Center | Offers workspace to provide entrepreneurs with the resources they need to move their business forward.
Startup Grind | A global startup community designed to educate, inspire, + connect entrepreneurs.
Charleston Regional Development Alliance | An economic development non-profit providing an extensive network of support + resources for both startups and established companies.
Women Entrepreneurs of Charleston | A community platform that connects women entrepreneurs to women experts through monthly live + virtual events.
SCRA - a state-chartered organization that fuels job creation and grows South Carolina’s innovation economy. Through SCRA’s Entrepreneurial Program, SC Launch, early-stage companies are provided mentoring and grants and may be eligible for an investment from SC Launch, Inc.

General #CHSTECH:
Charleston Digital Corridor | A community-sourced initiative to attract, nurture, and promote the region’s tech economy through programs, products, + events.
Dig South | Provides the contacts, content, + capital opportunities companies need to succeed in the South.
Meetup- Charleston Women in Tech | A collaborative effort of Charleston’s women leaders, educators, + tech professionals to support and mentor women of all ages in the technology industry.
Lowcountry Armed Forces Communication and Electronics Association (AFCEA) | Provides engineers, programmers, managers, government officials, + military personnel continuing opportunities to exchange ideas.
Charleston Defense Contractors Association | Advocates defense issues with the community and represents its members with SPAWAR + other government agencies in the area.
Charleston Technology | A community build directory of tech resources.

Tech Education:
Charleston Women in Tech CodeOn | Create free coding labs in underserved neighborhoods– providing technology, internet access, and teachers from Charleston’s top tech talent.
NodeSC | Provides residents with access to free technology classes taught by industry experts who are employed by Charleston-based firms.
SC Codes | Connects South Carolina residents to the education + resources they need to unlock careers in technology.
Jack Russell Software Coding School | A 12-week, immersive “boot-camp” coding program.

Job Opportunities:
Charleston Open Source
Silicon Harbor
Charleston Works

Is there a resource you think should be included on this list? Email: info@charlestonopensource.com