Company inspired by cancer survivor grows.

• Position: Stomagienics of Greenville, South Carolina

After being diagnosed with cancer, the father of Stomagienics co-founder Theresa Johnson later learned he would have to undergo an ostomy surgery within days.

While the procedure was successful, according to Johnson, the lack of independence brought on by the ostomy took a toll on her father and he began to battle depression.

One day, he'd had enough and drove to a hardware store. He walked up and down the aisles collecting parts for a device that would not only make it easier for him to change his ostomy bag but would also lay the groundwork for a family startup, Johnson said on a company video.

Launched in 2018, Greenville-based Stomagienics is expanding over the next three years to meet the demand for its StomaGenie, an ostomy pouch replacement cartridge based off the original fashioned by Johnson's father from hardware store supplies. According to the company, Stomagenie gives ostomy patients more control of output and allows for a much more hygienic and sanitary changing process.

The undisclosed investment is expected to create 30 jobs in the Upstate, and was brought about through partnerships with the Greenville Area Development Corp., the S.C. Research Association, SCBIO and Next.

"The support and resources made available to us through state and local programs, along with outstanding private sector talent, have been instrumental in our development, and make Greenville, S.C., a great place to start and grow a business," Johnson, now COO of Stomagienics, said in a news release. "We have gained access to project grants, intellectual property development, Medicare reimbursement expertise and connections to leading universities, clinical staff, and life sciences professionals. Our partnerships with SCBIO, GADC, SCRA and Next are all positive factors as we seek capital to...