Learn more about the companies who are succeeding in our city, why they choose to do business in Columbia and why they're excited to make it their home.
When Mast General Store was considering Columbia as a possible location for its next store, leadership looked at many aspects that contribute to the success of our other locations in the southeast including a strong organization building momentum in the heart of downtown, recreation and tourism, and quality of life for residents. Those key elements were a part of the fabric of the city. The rivers were being rediscovered as economic drivers – not for their ability to make electricity or to power mills but for recreation. Soda City Market was connecting farmers and artists with a greater community to strengthen ties. The Columbia Museum of Art was fostering an interest in art whether it be the old masters or innovative new approaches from emerging artists. The Riverbanks Zoo brings thousands of visitors from all over the world to our front door steps. And the City Center Partnership was working hard to overcome a perception that there was nothing to do or see in downtown. In the nine years we’ve been on Main Street, we’ve seen even more happen – new festivals and public gatherings, new people eating at restaurants and shopping, and best of all new residents and new businesses moving in regularly. For us, it’s exciting to see more people recognizing the opportunities in the city.
- Jeremy Becraft, General Manager, Mast General Store
Vän Robotics develops smart robots that tutor students and adapt to personal interaction. With grants, seed money and venture capital, Yale researcher Dr. Laura Boccanfuso brought her startup to Columbia, taking advantage of the resources of USC’s technology incubator and a supportive tech and entrepreneurial community.
“Our company thrives in Columbia, S.C. Why? Because there is a growing, influential cross section of leaders in Columbia that is hungry to realize positive economic, social and educational change. That aligns directly with our mission.”
- Laura Boccanfuso, Founder and CEO, Vän Robotics, Inc.
Colonial Life serves 3.7 million people with life, health, accident and other insurance. Now part of the Unum Group, Colonial Life is a cornerstone of Columbia’s strong and growing insurance and technologies cluster, employing more than 1,200 people locally at its company headquarters.
“While Colonial Life has grown over the past eight decades into a national company protecting millions of people, we have had a special relationship and commitment to Columbia since our founding. Colonial Life has been able to recruit and develop outstanding talent from Columbia and throughout the Midlands to help us deliver an unexpected approach to insurance and benefits.”
- Tim Arnold, President and CEO, Colonial Life
A global company with more than 200,000 employees in 40+ countries, Capgemini quickly expanded from that initial acquisition to create its first advanced technology development center, taking advantage of the city’s highly-educated talent pool to fill hundreds of technology positions.
“Capgemini selected The BullStreet District as the site of its latest delivery center partly because of its acquisition of Columbia-based TCube Solutions. BullStreet is the state’s first urban gigabit community in a city that has a growing reputation as an IT hub. We are excited about being a part of the dynamic BullStreet District.”
- Sam McGuckin, Former Executive Vice President & head of Capgemini’s Columbia Delivery Center
“For 18 years in Columbia SC, Rhythmlink International, LLC has designed, manufactured and distributed medical devices that are used to monitor the nervous system in the operating room, emergency department and intensive care units to prevent paralysis and detect other dangerous neural conditions such as strokes and seizures. Our company has been recognized eight times in Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies list and is one the top 100 largest privately held companies in South Carolina. We’ve received recognition 8 years running as one of the best places to work in the State of South Carolina. Rhythmlink is proud to call Columbia, SC home.”
- Shawn Regan, Co Founder and CEO