
GRAY MATTERS: DISCOVERY
Need to tap into a powerful network of innovators, grow your community, stay on top of tech trends or map out a membership strategy? Get in touch with Gray Matters Consulting to plan a discovery session.
Anyone can discuss what they know about startup communities in Silicon Valley, Boston and New York. Gray Matters understands what it takes to be a successful founder, build a thriving startup, and develop a healthy entrepreneurial community in the South – from the ground up.
With more than 12 years of experience building DIG SOUTH in Charleston, connecting to ecosystems across the South, and developing strategic relationships with leading global brands, Stanfield crafted the playbook on startup ecosystem success in Charleston.
SPECIALTIES
Community Development & Growth
Speaker Series & Curated Experiences
Business Development Strategy
Marketing & Content Alignment
Natural Networking

YOUR PLAYBOOK
Gray Matters collaborates with companies, communities, economic development groups and universities to build powerful communities and unique innovation ecosystems in the South so that the next generation will not have to leave the region to find the world's best opportunities.
We have the experience, skills and insights to help you get results today. Collaborate with us to craft a dynamic playbook that will shape and grow your initiatives for decades to come.

My family is my super power, 3 motivator-in-chiefs who inspire me to build a better South for everyone.
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Need an expert to discuss entrepreneurship in the South and how to grow a thriving startup ecosystem in your community?
Stanfield hatched the idea for DIG SOUTH Tech Summit & Media in 2011 at a time when most doubted a globally viable tech economy based in the region. Today, everyone is a believer.
Keynote, roundtable discussion or private consultation, let's talk today.

IN THE NEWS

Time magazine featured Stanfield Gray in "The South Issue" as one of "31 People Changing the South."
TIME MAGAZINE

For two years in a row,
Charleston Business magazine named Gray one of Charleston's "50 Most Influential," making the cover in 2018.
CHARLESTON BUSINESS

South Carolina Honors College AHA! magazine selected Stanfield Gray for an alumni cover story.
USC-Columbia
HONORS COLLEGE

This is one of the only conferences in my life that I’ve been to more than once. And I believe that there is an enormous opportunity for some of the biggest brands in the world, biggest companies in the world.
Gary Vaynerchuk, CEO, Vaynermedia

About
National speaker and champion of entrepreneurial and startup ecosystems, Gray understands what it takes to be an entrepreneur in the American South.
Stanfield Gray is the founder and CEO of DIG SOUTH Tech Summit, the DIG NATION member community and South Pod: Rise of a Region podcast. A Liberty Fellow in the Aspen Global Leadership Network, Gray was named one of Time magazine’s “31 People Changing the South." A featured speaker at the Collision Conference Global Ecosystem Summit in New Orleans, the Southern C Summit, and numerous engagements across the South, Gray is a graduate of University of South Carolina Honors College and University of Mississippi Southern Studies MA Program.
Accolades
Founder/CEO of Dig South Tech Summit now in its 12th year
Founder & CEO of Dig Nation member community
Time magazine’s “31 People Changing the South.”
"Charleston’s 50 Most Influential," Charleston Business magazine
Charlie Magazine’s “50 Most Progressive”
"Rock Star” award finalist, Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce
South Carolina Honors College AHA! magazine cover story
