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Turning Innovation Into Enterprise

innovation sectors

In partnership with the Battelle Technology Partnership Practice, TechConnectWV published the West Virginia Blueprint for Technology-Based Economic Development, which identified the state’s four areas of technology strength and laid out strategies for growing jobs in each one. Those four platforms include advanced energy, chemicals and advanced materials, biometrics, and biotechnology. These represent the areas where West Virginia has the best chance of developing a robust innovation economy. These are the areas where West Virginia — meaning the universities, federal labs, nonprofit groups, state and local government, economic development groups, and private companies in the state — can most likely collaborate to create new companies and new jobs and significantly expand and diversify the state’s economy.

Developed in coordination with key stakeholders throughout the state, the blueprint incorporates a thorough analysis of the state’s technology strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities. Utilizing feedback from industry focus groups, the Battelle Technology Partnership Practice developed specific strategies and action items the state should pursue to grow West Virginia’s innovation economy.

Blueprint reports