Innovation & Entrepreneurship Day A Major Success!
Innovation & Entrepreneurship Day, held on March 16 at the State Capitol, featured exhibits and more
Participants with WV Commerce Secretary Woody Thrasher
than 100 individuals representing a wide variety of industry sectors. Small businesses, entrepreneurs, researchers and resource organizations that support entrepreneurship filled the hallways in a showcase of the best and brightest in West Virginia talent and innovation.
TechConnect and the TransTech Energy Business Development Program, which co-sponsor the annual event, are grateful to all who took the time to travel to Charleston and participate in the day’s activities.
Nearly fifty exhibitors helped showcase what’s happening around the State and demonstrated that the innovation economy in West Virginia is not just a concept– it’s a reality. New jobs and economic prosperity are being created right here at home.
TechConnect extends a special thanks to Senators Corey Palumbo, Ron Stollings, Bob Beach, Doug Facemire, Robert Plymale, John Unger, Sue Cline and Roman Prezioso for sponsoring Senate Resolution 39, honoring Innovation & Entrepreneurship Day and acknowledging the long-term economic opportunities that an innovation-based economy and entrepreneurial culture can provide our state’s citizens. To all of the legislators who stopped by the exhibits, thank you!
West Virginia Commerce Secretary Woody Thrasher joined us to celebrate innovation in the state and present TechConnect’s 2017 Spirit of Innovation Awards. Core10, a software development firm in Huntington, won the StartUp Firm of the Year Award. Arria Hines, CEO & President of Allegheny Science & Technology, was recognized as West Virginia’s Outstanding Woman in Technology.
Secretary Thrasher also presented the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Industrial Energy Efficiency to Simonton Windows of Ritchie County and the Governor’s Award for Leadership in Advanced Green Manufacturing to Azimuth of Morgantown.
Lee Farabaugh of Core10 spoke with Hoppy Kercheval on “Talkline” about the firm’s decision to open in Huntington. Listen to her interview here (at the 1:28 mark). Ms. Farabaugh said they were looking for a university town in the heartland of the country, in an effort to “hereshore” jobs. Huntington native and venture capitalist Joe Maxwell encouraged them to consider Huntington, which turned out to be a “perfect fit.”
Visit TechConnect’s Facebook page to see photos from the event. To view a recap of the day’s highlights, click here.