TechAssist Program Offers Commercialization Assistance Throughout State
In partnership with three “centers of excellence” in the state, TechConnectWV is offering commercialization assistance to entrepreneurs, researchers and small businesses in West Virginia through its new “TechAssist” program.
The project is intended to integrate, expand, and leverage regional assets to foster technology-based innovation and commercialization, support business expansion and small manufacturer growth, and encourage business formation in West Virginia.
“TechAssist allows us to pair start-up companies and entrepreneurs with three centers of excellence to help them move their idea forward. When launching a new venture, entrepreneurs often need sophisticated technical assistance, and this program allows us to make connections for them,” said Anne Barth, Executive Director of TechConnectWV.
“Thanks to the WV Department of Commerce and its new Community Advancement & Development Program, we’re able to offer this program statewide,” she added.
Partners include the Chemical Alliance Zone at the WV Regional Technology Park in South Charleston, the Center for Applied Research and Technology at Bluefield State College, and the INNOVA Commercialization Group at the High Technology Foundation in Fairmont.
The program will assist in the commercialization of technologies in several industry sectors, including chemicals, energy and advanced manufacturing.
Various forms of specialized technical assistance are available through TechAssist, including prototyping, systems engineering and integration, technology evaluation, IP evaluation, market evaluation, proof-of-concept studies, subject matter expertise, specialized facilities and more.
“If an entrepreneur thinks that this program might be a fit to help them advance to the next stage of development, we encourage them to reach out to TechConnect or our partners,” Barth said.
To learn more about the program, contact the partner organizations directly, or visit TechConnect’s website. Questions may be directed to Anne Barth at anne@techconnectwv.org.