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There has never been a more exciting time to be an entrepreneur in West Virginia’s innovation economy. At TechConnect West Virginia, we are dedicated to helping innovators turn ideas into breakthroughs, create jobs, and drive economic growth across our state.

For nearly two decades, TechConnect has been at the forefront of cultivating and strengthening West Virginia’s technology ecosystem. As a statewide organization, we focus on advancing science, technology, and innovation-based economic development.

Ariana Shives, Executive Director of TechConnect West Virginia

With support from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation and the Battelle Institute in 2006, we created the West Virginia Blueprint for Technology-Based Economic Development. This foundational study identified four key sectors primed for growth: advanced energy, chemicals and advanced materials, biometrics, and biotechnology. Over the years, we’ve expanded into emerging subsectors, including cybersecurity, digital identity solutions, fintech, national defense technologies, and software development.

Our mission is not just about identifying opportunities but ensuring West Virginia entrepreneurs can seize them. TechConnect acts as a convener, networker, matchmaker, and resource multiplier. We bridge the gap between industry, education, and entrepreneurship, creating a nexus for collaboration and innovation.

Through partnerships with a wide array of organizations, government entities, academia, and private sector companies, we’ve built a one-of-a-kind support network tailored to meet entrepreneurs where they are. This approach enables us to provide individualized support to help businesses at every stage of development.

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has been a longtime partner and their assistance provides critical support to entrepreneurs and small businesses in the technology sectors across the state. In fact, a recent grant program funded through EDA and the State of West Virginia allowed TechConnect and its partners to facilitate the creation of 125 new jobs, the retention of 114 existing jobs, the launch of 34 new businesses and attract over $10 million in funding.

While we are proud of accomplishments like these, there is so much more to do.

TechConnect’s focus remains clear: championing and supporting entrepreneurship in technology and innovation. From inspiring youth to explore the potential of entrepreneurship to helping startups turn enthusiasm into execution and supporting established companies in scaling to new heights, we are committed to growing West Virginia’s innovation economy.

We envision a future where West Virginia is a hub for innovation, where entrepreneurship flourishes, and technology drives economic prosperity. Thriving ecosystems emerge when entrepreneurs succeed, and their success creates a ripple effect of opportunities that benefit everyone.

We’ll execute on this mission through providing one-on-one assistance to entrepreneurs, hosting industry events, conferences, and investor pitch competitions, and continuing to engage as an active member of our state’s robust assistance provider network.

We envision a West Virginia where technology and business innovation flourish through extraordinary entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship emerges in thriving ecosystems; and thriving ecosystems grow when entrepreneurs are successful. TechConnect is focused on cultivating both to enable this flywheel scenario which will create expansive and ongoing ripples of economic impact for the benefit of all West Virginians.