Events

The Chemical Alliance Zone (CAZ), in conjunction with TechConnectWV, will launch the nation’s first business incubator focused solely on commercializing chemistry-based technology at 3 pm on Tuesday, April 1, 2014 in Building 2000 at the West Virginia Regional Technology Park.

The new incubator, named “ChemCeption,” will be an innovation hub for any technology involving chemistry – from traditional to green, water to plastics, biotechnology to energy, and more.

The event will feature WV Secretary of Commerce Keith Burdette, WV House of Delegates Speaker Tim Miley, and a keynote from Greg Babe, President and CEO of Liquid X Printed Metal, Inc. and former President and CEO of Bayer Corporation.

Dr. Kevin DiGregorio, executive director of the Chemical Alliance Zone and the director of ChemCeption, said, “We are excited to assist entrepreneurs and small companies to not only get their technologies to market, but also create wealth and jobs in our community, our region, and even the nation.”

Although CAZ is spearheading the initiative, working closely with TechConnectWV, nine other strategic partners are key collaborators — WVRTP, Charleston Area Alliance, MATRIC, INNOVA Commercialization Group, WV Small Business Development Center (WVSBDC), West Virginia University, Marshall University, WV Higher Education Policy Commission, and Robert C. Byrd Institute for Advanced Flexible Manufacturing.

In fact, INNOVA and WVSBDC will provide comprehensive entrepreneurial, start-up, and business services to ChemCeption residents, and MATRIC will provide technical expertise and support.

“We are pleased that the new incubator is taking flight,” Anne Barth, Executive Director of TechConnectWV said.  “This is an important project for the state’s innovation economy and a key vehicle for launching new technologies from our entrepreneurs, start-ups, and small companies.”