West Virginia’s Tech Economy On Display At State Capitol Feb. 5th
West Virginia’s innovation economy, which employs over 48,000 people in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) related fields, will be on full display at the State Capitol from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, February 5 during Innovation & Entrepreneurship Day.
The event is hosted by the TransTech Energy Research & Business Development Program and TechConnect West Virginia. To register to participate, click here.
Anne Barth, executive director of TechConnect West Virginia, said, “The technology economy is helping grow and diversify West Virginia’s economy. State policy leaders have taken notice and recently established the Legislative Tech Caucus. Innovation & Entrepreneurship Day will showcase the innovative technologies being developed in West Virginia, and the entrepreneurs responsible for creating them, to legislators and state officials.”
As part of Innovation & Entrepreneurship Day, more than 40 exhibitors representing groups throughout the state will demonstrate the vibrancy of the state’s innovation economy in the Capitol. Tech-based companies and organizations will display their products and inventions beginning at 8:30am.
At noon, TechConnect will present the Spirit of Innovation Awards and the TransTech Energy Research & Business Development Program will present awards for Excellence in Industrial Energy Efficiency and Advanced Green Manufacturing.
Barth said West Virginia has a vibrant and growing tech economy. Over the past few years, TechConnect’s technical assistance programs have assisted more than 300 entrepreneurs and companies, created or retained 235 jobs and leveraged nearly $7 million in follow-on funding.
“We have so many exciting things going on in our state’s innovation and technology economy, and we want to make sure others know about them,” said Barth. “The goal of the Spirit of Innovation Awards competition is to highlight some of these success stories and perhaps inspire others who have an entrepreneurial spirit.”
For more information, contact Anne Barth at (304) 444-2918 or anne@techconnectwv.org, or visit www.techconnectwv.org.