The USC–Columbia Fuel Cell Collaborative was formed by the University of South Carolina, the City of Columbia, EngenuitySC and SCRA, to position Columbia, S.C., as a leader in hydrogen fuel cell innovation and technology. Its mission is to attract private sector partners, top fuel cell scientists, entrepreneurs, and innovators to the Columbia region to help grow an innovation pipeline from discovery to development to deployment of fuel cell technology.

Accomplishments:
• 2009 Southern Innovator of the Year award – Southern Growth Policies Board -
• 100+ University of South Carolina faculty dedicated to hydrogen and fuel cell research
• Nation’s First NSF Sponsored Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for Fuel Cells
• $50 million in hydrogen and fuel cell investment committed since 2005
• 25+ industry partnership established since 2005
• 20+ hydrogen and fuel cell demonstration projects supported since 2005
• 8 new startup companies established in Greater Columbia region
• 3 landing parties recruited into South Carolina since 2005