Promoting, supporting & connecting Charleston's entrepreneurial community
August 18, 2025
Mabel was searching for the right community partner to debut her new inflatables business, and the NeoHero Foundation Launch Party turned out to be the perfect match. The event takes place Saturday, August 23 at 5 PM at the Hanahan Amphitheatre —and you can already see the collaboration in action in this promo.
Juiced Fuel, founded by Korey McDavid
Juiced Fuel is a veteran-owned, on-demand and subscription-based fuel delivery service that brings gas directly to your parked vehicle. Whether it’s in your driveway, your business fleet, or your boat on a dock, we got you. Founded in the Lowcountry and expanding rapidly, we’re on a mission to offer a safer and convenient alternative to the gas station. Franchises available.
➤Fundraising News: Nonnanest, Inc.
Mini-Pitch: Nonnanest is redefining the baby monitor.
We’re the first to offer real-time, contact-free skin temperature tracking—without wearables or reliance on Wi-Fi. Parents don’t just want to see their baby; they want to know their baby is okay. Nonnanest provides that peace of mind by turning passive monitoring into proactive wellness insights. The idea was born at 3 a.m., when my son woke up crying. The monitor showed me nothing useful—but when I picked him up, he had a 103° fever. That moment revealed a massive gap in today’s products. We’re solving it. We’ve completed our functional prototypes, resolved key design challenges, and are preparing for a limited production run. A strategic PR and influencer campaign is underway to drive early awareness. We believe temperature is just the beginning. With a proprietary sensing approach and an IP strategy in motion, Nonnanest is building a category-defining platform in a $20B+ digital health and infant wellness market. We’re raising capital now to bring our first units to market—and we’re inviting aligned investors to join us on the ground floor of a brand built for scale.
We’re the first to offer real-time, contact-free skin temperature tracking—without wearables or reliance on Wi-Fi. Parents don’t just want to see their baby; they want to know their baby is okay. Nonnanest provides that peace of mind by turning passive monitoring into proactive wellness insights.
The idea was born at 3 a.m., when my son woke up crying. The monitor showed me nothing useful—but when I picked him up, he had a 103° fever. That moment revealed a massive gap in today’s products. We’re solving it.
We’ve completed our functional prototypes, resolved key design challenges, and are preparing for a limited production run. A strategic PR and influencer campaign is underway to drive early awareness.
We believe temperature is just the beginning. With a proprietary sensing approach and an IP strategy in motion, Nonnanest is building a category-defining platform in a $20B+ digital health and infant wellness market.
We’re raising capital now to bring our first units to market—and we’re inviting aligned investors to join us on the ground floor of a brand built for scale.
Ask: Seed funding of $650,000 via SAFE with a $5MM post-funding valuation cap.
Close date: September 30, 2025
Contact: Nathan Overbey, Founder
➤Members in the News
Lesesne Phillips, Founder of Opsana HR
1. What is your startup's elevator pitch?
Opsana HR is a fractional CHRO firm based in Charleston, SC that provides strategic HR services for growing companies.
We partner with funded startups, remote organizations, and small to mid-size businesses to build strong teams, ensure compliance, and maximize workforce potential—without the overhead of a full-time HR department. Our experience spans a range of industries, including technology, government contracting, professional services, hospitality, logistics, and manufacturing.
We believe HR is more than policies, it is about people and performance.
2. What is your ideal customer profile and plan to reach them?
We love working with companies that are in growth mode—businesses looking to build strong, loyal teams, keep great people around, and make sure their HR supports their bigger goals. Our ideal clients want to simplify their HR, stay compliant, and create an environment where employees are engaged, and leaders can really thrive. Whether you need a big-picture HR strategy, help with a specific project, or just someone to call when HR issues pop up, we’re here to help you grow in a healthy, sustainable way.
To connect with these companies, I spend a lot of time at client industry events, meeting decision-makers, and building relationships. I also partner with other service providers, get involved in community events, and make sure to maximize our marketing efforts through the company’s website and LinkedIn page. Ultimately, it’s about being present where our clients are, understanding their needs, and delivering services that create real value and measurable results.
3. What is the next key milestone in your startup's journey?
Our next key milestones are expanding our “HR on Demand” client base and introducing The Opsana HR Report.
With HR on Demand, companies will have a full range of HR services on retainer and tailored to their needs for a flat monthly rate.
The Opsana HR Report in unique in that it offers a straightforward, strategic review for founders, operations leaders, and HR teams, assessing how well their people operations align with business goals. It highlights gaps and risks, identifies strengths and opportunities, and provides a clear roadmap with actionable recommendations to help them move forward with confidence.
4. How can Chucktown Startups and the local startup community best support your startup?
It would be amazing to have a centralized hub where founders can easily find and access resources—everything from funding opportunities like government grants, small business loans, angel investors, and VCs, to professional services such as marketing, finance, legal, IT, and other outsourced support like we offer in HR.
I’d also appreciate knowing which members, both current and new, might be interested in HR so we can connect and collaborate.
Finally, with all the groups and networking events happening in Charleston, I’d love to see a quarterly or semi-annual Chucktown Startups BBQ or social event. It would be a great way to build relationships, share ideas, and celebrate the local startup community together.
5. Wildcard- What else would you like the community to know about you and your startup?
At the end of the day, we’re all about people. We believe real partnerships and honest conversations lead to the best results. Your team is your biggest advantage, and we want to help you build a great one while keeping your business secure every step of the way
August 4, 2025
Miluna TV & Pitch Perfect Coaching by Dr. Miluna , founded by Miluna Fausch, HHCP, Ph.D.
Have you considered telling your story and sharing your brand on TV? WHY Television?
We all know interviews can be a powerful tool to get your message out toward a greater audience, but what’s the science behind it? TV appearances typically last five to seven minutes before fading into obscurity in an archive where no one will ever see it again. Let’s think about this realistically. Could you tell your entire story fairly within five minutes? I know I can’t! That’s why we implemented 30-minute interviews for Miluna TV guests and it never goes to archive.
Over 70 years ago, the first TV talk show aired. America’s been in love with deep and funny conversations between two people ever since. Television creates an emotional connection. By appearing on TV, you immediately bring an exclusivity and cachet to your products, services, and brand.
Streaming TV is the EASIEST way to expand your brand to a global audience and grow your profits. In a nutshell - This is Miluna TV Network. We’re talking about your brand, your message, your expertise, your services being viewed on Roku, amazon fireTV, Apple TV, and the International award-winning Zondra TV Network - leveraging a huge global audience!
And, if you're not confident and compelling on camera now, we will guide you every step of the way! Concierge Camera Ready Media Coaching is available. Reach out to schedule your Complimentary Media Assessment today.
Pratham Parmar, FMVA® , Parmar Accounting Service (Outsourced Accounting and Bookkeeping)
Contact Pratham Parmar at prathamparmar1@outlook.com
Kristin Parker, Co-founder of Shared CityHolly Kelly, Co-founder of Shared City
Charleston is full of compassion, but much of its charity is disconnected and ineffective. Shared City exists to change that. We equip nonprofits, donors, and volunteers to work together effectively through training, relationship building, and now a permanent gathering space, so generosity leads to real, lasting impact. We're building the city’s first collaborative charitable ecosystem where doing good actually does good.
A community-minded individual in Greater Charleston who is already engaged in charitable work, either as a nonprofit leader, donor, or volunteer and is seeking deeper impact, clarity, and connection. We reach our ideal audience through trusted, relational pathways, starting with nonprofit Learning Labs, community workshops, casual drop-ins at our Shared City Space (once opened), and word-of-mouth from pastors, community leaders, nonprofit staff, and small business leaders. Our messaging is targeted and story-driven, using local voices and clear calls to action that resonate with each audience type. We build partnerships with churches, businesses, and foundations not just for support, but to serve as active referral engines. And our physical space, anchored by the Shared Sips café, will create daily visibility and walk-in access, making it easy
The next key milestone in Shared City’s journey is the launch of the Shared City Space, our first permanent gathering place designed to transform how Charleston engages in charity. This milestone will move us from a mobile, partnership-dependent model to a fully integrated physical environment where donors, volunteers, and nonprofits can connect, learn, and collaborate daily. The launch will include opening the Shared Sips café, equipping the space for workshops and nonprofit training, and hiring essential staff to manage daily operations and community engagement. This space is not just a location, it’s the embodiment of our mission: a place where anyone in Charleston can walk in and find their next step in doing good well. It will multiply our visibility, deepen community trust, and catalyze the kind of cross-sector collaboration needed for long-term systemic change.
The local startup community, especially Chucktown Startups, can play a catalytic role in Shared City’s growth by helping us close the gap between vision and visibility. We’re looking for three key things:
Shared City is already gaining traction but with the support of Charleston’s startup community, we can become a city-defining force for good.
Shared City isn’t just another nonprofit, it’s a movement led by a two-woman team driving systemic change from the ground up. We’re not building programs; we’re rebuilding how an entire city approaches charity. Our cofounder, Kristin Parker, spent 13 years living in Kathmandu, Nepal, one of the poorest nations in the world and she learned firsthand what effective community development really takes. When she returned to Charleston, she brought that global lens home and saw a similar cycle of surface-level help and broken systems playing out here. So we started Shared City with no money, no office, and no shortcuts, just deep conviction, real relationships, and a vision to reimagine generosity as a force for justice.
Please reach out to schedule an in-person or Zoom meeting. Feel free to email me at toby@chucktownstartups.com or text 843-830-7452.
Thanks for being part of Chucktown Startups. We’re excited to see what happens next as we connect the dots in Charleston’s growing startup scene!
Cheers!
Toby Palmer, Founder
Chucktown Startups:Promote. Support. Connect.
July 16, 2025
There’s growing excitement and momentum around the Chucktown Startups movement. Over the past two weeks, we’ve had productive meetings with Charleston County Economic Development, Charleston Digital and the Charleston Tech Center, and the MUSC/Zucker Institute for Innovation Commercialization. A common theme emerged from each conversation: “We love what your community is building and want to explore how we can collaborate.”
Other happenings:
Cardinal Wills is dedicated to making estate planning both affordable and accessible for individuals and families looking to prepare for the future. I provide convenient, mobile estate planning services—including Simple Wills and Powers of Attorney—to clients throughout Charleston, Dorchester, and Berkeley counties. Without a physical office, I come to you—meeting at a convenient location to help you create a plan that reflects your wishes. Example locations include homes, offices, nursing homes, hospitals, churches, senior centers and more.
I believe everyone should have access to straightforward and affordable estate planning. A solid plan not only protects your legacy but also eases the burden on your loved ones in the event of incapacity or passing. It is an act of love to estate plan as it prepares your loved ones for when you are no longer around. My goal is to provide thoughtful guidance as you take this important step toward peace of mind.
Contact Lesesne Phillips at lesesne@opsanahr.com
Current fantasy sports apps fail to deliver an engaging, accessible, and unified experience for users. We are creating a fantasy sports brand obsessed with experience, we want every fantasy contest, league, game to feel like the Super Bowl for all types of users.
Consumer:
B2B:
We will be rolling out our real-money fantasy sports products to South Carolina first!
July 1, 2025
We've spent the last few months gauging interest from the local business community in an inclusive, locally focused organization with a mission to promote, support, and connect Charleston's entrepreneurs. With apologies to the reality show Survivor, the tribe has spoken... with a resounding interest level of YES!
Not only has the local founder community spoken, but so have local investors, local governments, and the existing startup ecosystem. They understand that we are all in this together, and the more collaboration, support, and awareness we can create, the better the outcome will be for the Lowcountry as a whole.
Now that we are officially launched, here's what you can expect to see from us in the coming weeks and months:
At Title AI, we help businesses who are interested in AI actually do it. Run by Jack Teitel, a former professor of AI with nearly 12 years of experience applying AI in industry. We work with businesses of all sizes, although we tend to focus on small to mid sized businesses. We are comfortable executing any AI project in any industry, although we tend to focus on 4 key areas:
Our focus is on integrating AI into your business in a way that adapts to your businesses specific needs and workflows. We believe business understanding is paramount, as you need the right tool used in the right way to really achieve significant long-term ROI.
Contact Jack Teitel at jack@title-ai.com
Contact Carter Lewis at carter@inthefade.co
One Party Rental is the go-to platform for busy parents planning extra fun kids’ parties. We bring trusted local vendors together in one simple, streamlined place, so you can book everything from bounce houses to balloon artists without the back-and-forth. Whether you're hosting or helping, we make it easier to celebrate.
Parents & caregivers planning a kids party. My plan is to have extra strong SEO, Google Ads and social media (primarily Instagram and Pinterest)
Launch to vendors in July
Promote, connect me with potential vendors and other businesses that may help my growth
I'm hoping to build community and vendor awareness through One Party Rental - not just make it easier for customers to plan their parties!
I haven't had a chance to meet every founder in person yet, but I'd like to! Please reach out to schedule an in-person or Zoom meeting. Feel free to email me at toby@chucktownstartups.com or text 843-830-7452.
Chucktown Startups: Promote. Support. Connect.
June 12, 2025
This week, Chucktown Startups celebrated its 150th startup profile—an incredible milestone for a community that’s only been active since early April!
The reception from Charleston’s entrepreneurial ecosystem has been nothing short of inspiring:
✅ Extraordinary support, collaboration, and encouragement from existing startup-focused organizations ✅ Outreach from the local financial community—including prominent investment groups—has far exceeded expectations ✅ Numerous requests for in-person meetups—even before the official launch!
We are asking our founder community to help us promote you by providing the submissions below:
Complete our Friends of Chucktown Startups interest form!
What is an Exclusive Category Sponsorship?
20 mutually exclusive categories (one sponsor per category)
Preference and 50% discount for member startups
Prominent placement on the website
Featured in our bi-weekly newsletter (email + LinkedIn)
One company profile feature in the newsletter per year (order based on signup)
Video feature on Chucktown Startups YouTube Channel
One webinar or event promotion per 6-month period
Potential educational content opportunities to engage with members
With all this momentum during the pre-launch phase, we’re even more excited to officially launch on July 1st!
Starting in July, Chucktown Startups will publish two newsletters per month delivered via email to all founders and newsletter subscribers.
Plus, newsletters will be posted on our LinkedIn page, which just surpassed 800 followers!
Investment and capital firms interested in supporting and working with member startups:
Complete our Capital Connectors Questionnaire to let us know how you'd like to connect with founders.
Are you a podcaster? We’re looking for an experienced host to launch a monthly podcast featuring our startup members. Interested?
Contact Toby Palmer at toby@chucktownstartups.com.
ABOUT CHUCKTOWN STARTUPS
CONTACTS
toby@chucktownstartups.comCharleston, SC 29403
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