Compiled By Paige Kocourek
Over 1 million new businesses will be started in the U.S. by the end of 2021. Of these, over half will end up failing within 10 years. A few reasons for failure include a lack of capital, insufficient management, vague business planning or fiscal irresponsibility. Many of these failure-fueling issues can be averted through proper education, support and planning. Countless resources are available for startups to help them create a strong foundation to begin their venture, giving them a better opportunity for success.
Innovation centers, launch labs, venture capitalists and makerspaces have one thing in common: a mission to help small businesses become established and prosper. These entrepreneurial resources are an invaluable asset to individuals and groups working toward launching their businesses because they provide the necessary tools pivotal for development. They help dreams become a reality. Establishments like launch labs and makerspaces give people an opportunity to have the space and resources they need to let creative juices flow and foster innovation.
West Virginia is no stranger to the idea of small businesses. Entrepreneurship is at the heart of many lives here in the Mountain State, from local farms to bakeries featuring state-famed pepperoni rolls. The creation and preservation of these businesses are vital for West Virginia’s economic development and prosperity.
Many startup owners may not be aware of all the entrepreneurship resources West Virginia has to offer. This is why West Virginia Executive, in partnership with West Virginia Business Link, New River Gorge Regional Development Authority—the umbrella organization that oversees the West Virginia Hive and Country Roads Angel Network—and the West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust Board, created a comprehensive map showcasing the vast resources West Virginia entrepreneurs have at their fingertips in the great Mountain State. As a result, entrepreneurs can move forward with the knowledge and support they need to continue their ventures. The goal is to connect local business startups with the tools they need to grow their companies.
Editor’s Note: This map was compiled with help from West Virginia BusinessLink. If you know of additional entrepreneurial resources located in West Virginia, help us update the list by contacting pkk@wvexecutive.com.
*This list was complied with the help of West Virginia BusinessLink. The companies that are members of BusinessLink are noted on the map with an asterisk.*
3 Steps to StartUp
FAIRMONT, WV
The overarching purpose of 3 Steps to StartUp is to accelerate entrepreneurialism and innovation in West Virginia, by supporting our great minds to bring new and amazing things to life.
(304) 333-6828
www.3steps2startup.com
Area 34
HURRICANE, WV
Area 34, a project of the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, is Putnam County’s only co-working space. It features a communal co-working area, a coffee shop, a cozy lounge, two small offices, a small conference room and a large conference room.
(304) 757-6510
www.area34coworking.com
Appalachian Investors Alliance
KNOXVILLE, TN
Appalachian Investors Alliance (AIA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to revitalize the region’s economy.
James Hart – (865) 406-4956
www.appalachianinvestors.org
Bluefield Commercialization Station
BLUEFIELD, WV
The Commercialization Station is a 60,000-square-foot mixed-use incubator split into six bays focusing on manufacturing managed by Bluefield, West Virginia Economic Development Authority.
Jim Spencer – (304) 327-2401 Ext: 2405
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College
BERKELEY SPRINGS, WV
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College has established the SpringTech Innovation Lab as a small business incubator at the college’s Morgan County campus. SpringTech is now home to six small businesses with very diverse operations and markets.
Jane Peters – (304) 260-4380 Ext: 3446
www.blueridgectc.edu
Country Roads Angel Network
BECKLEY, WV
Country Roads Angel Network (CRAN) is an accredited angel investment group that provides early-stage investment opportunities to entrepreneurs in all 55 counties of West Virginia. CRAN is administered by the WV Hive Network.
www.wvcran.com
Charleston Area Alliance’s Small Business Incubator
CHARLESTON, WV
In addition to being home to the alliance, 1116 Smith Street serves as a small business incubator. The incubator provides a professional setting with various resources for entrepreneurs looking to take the next step with their small business.
(304) 340-4253
charlestonareaalliance.org
Chemical Alliance Zone
CROSS LANES, WV
The Chemical Alliance Zone is a nonprofit that works to create and sustain jobs and investments in all chemistry-related sectors across West Virginia, including assisting entrepreneurs and startups in all facets of their launch, growth and commercial success.
Kevin DiGregorio – (304) 437-4295
www.cazwv.com
Coalfield Development SEED Fund
WAYNE, WV
Coalfield Development’s SEED Fund incubates and grows employment-based social enterprise partners in extraction-based rural communities to create opportunities for individuals facing barriers to employment.
Chris Yura – (304) 501-4755
www.coalfield-development.org
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Law Clinic
MORGANTOWN, WV
The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Law Clinic provides transactional assistance to West Virginia small businesses, nonprofits, community organizations and student entrepreneurs.
John Williams – (304) 293-0955
www.law.wvu.edu/clinical-law/clinics/entrepreneurship-innovation
Excelerator
FAIRMONT, WV
The Excelerator is a startup incubator in Fairmont, WV. It is a great opportunity that allows new businesses a place to grow. The Excelerator ties in with Fairmont Community Development Partnership’s mission to promote economic development.
(304) 366-7600
Future of Nursing West Virginia
CHARLESTON, WV
The West Virginia Nurse Entrepreneur Project focuses on providing connection to all the resources a nurse needs to start a health-related business. The West Virginia Nurse Entrepreneur Course provides training, a manual, webinars, business and nurse business coaching.
Aila Accad – (304) 549-1841
www.futureofnursingwv.org
Huntington Industrial Corporation Incubator
HUNTINGTON, WV
The Huntington Industrial Corporation Incubator’s biomedical research lab and office space operated in collaboration with the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University.
David Lieving – (304) 525-1161
www.hadco.org
INNOVA Commercialization Group
FAIRMONT, WV
INNOVA offers commercialization support and early-stage investment and leads 3 Steps to StartUp providing entrepreneurs a modular program from conceptualization to market entry.
Guy A. Peduto – (304) 290-1753
Institute for Rural Entrepreneurship and Economic Development
MOOREFIELD, WV
The Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College created the IREED to lead local and regional initiatives that impact Eastern’s entrepreneurship programs and community economic development.
(304) 434-8000
www.easternwv.edu/advancement-innovation/ireed/
Lane Innovation Hub
MORGANTOWN, WV
The Lane Innovation Hub is a hybrid makerspace and fabrication service center at West Virginia University dedicated to making the ideas of future entrepreneurs—at the university and around the state—become a reality.
Dustin Spayde
www.innovationhub.wvu.edu
Mountain State Capital
MORGANTOWN, WV
Mountain State Capital invests when a company has found its product-market fit and is ready to scale. Software, hardware and services companies should have deployed a version of their solution to early adopters and should be able to demonstrate an understanding of their sales process and the market’s willingness to pay.
Mike Green – (304) 278-4644
www.mountainstatecapital.com
Marshall University Brad D. Smith Business Incubator
HUNTINGTON, WV
The Incubator offers support to businesses to help them grow and scale by providing office space, mentoring, networking and technical assistance in areas like marketing, accounting and access to capital.
(304) 696-5120
www.marshall.edu/incubator
Marshall University Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation
HUNTINGTON, WV
The iCenter inspires innovation and entrepreneurship through design thinking and supports the creation of high-growth tech and high-impact social enterprises through the Entrepreneur in Residence program.
(304) 696-5105
www.marshall.edu/icenter
Marshall University Institute for Interdisciplinary Research
HUNTINGTON, WV
This institute facilitates the transfer of scientific knowledge into applications that have the potential for generating business ventures and corporate partnerships.
(304) 696-3830
www.marshall.edu/miir/
Partner Community Capital
CHARLES TOWN, WV
Partner Community Capital provides flexible, affordable loans and advisory services to businesses, farms and nonprofit enterprises. Loans include working capital, equipment and real estate, senior and subordinated.
Kevin O’Connor – (304) 288-0340
www.partnercapital.org
Patriot Guardens
CHARLESTON, WV
Patriot Guardens is an agricultural initiative of the West Virginia National Guard designed to align and mobilize strategic efforts in order to provide new economic and employment opportunities.
Cindy Bailey – (304) 545-0465
www.facebook.com/PatriotGuardens
SBA WV District Office
CLARKSBURG, WV
SBA’s West Virginia District Office covers more than 24,000 square miles and the 55 counties of West Virginia. Its mission is to provide prospective, new or established persons in the small business community with financial, procurement, management and technical assistance.
(304) 623-5631
www.sba.gov/offices/district/wv/clarksburg
SBDC West Virginia
CHARLESTON, WV
The West Virginia Small Business Development Center provides expert guidance to help small businesses succeed. The center’s coaches can guide entrepreneurs in how to write business plans, manage projects effectively and find greater access to capital.
Neeley Satzer
www.wvsbdc.com/
Sprouting Farms
TALCOTT, WV
Sprouting Farms, located in Summers County, offers a farm business incubator program that includes land access, equipment, tool share and technical assistance to help grow farm businesses in West Virginia.
April Koenig – (757) 749-2683
www.sproutingfarms.org
www.turnrowfarms.org
Tamarack Foundation for the Arts
CHARLESTON, WV
Tamarack Foundation for the Arts helps grow West Virginia’s creative economy by providing essential programs that equip creative entrepreneurs with the skills necessary to succeed.
Dominica Queen – (304) 926-3770
www.tamarackfoundation.org
The Maker Vault
HUNTINGTON, WV
The Robert C. Byrd Institute’s Maker Vault, West Virginia’s largest community makerspace, extends access to professional-grade technology.
Deacon Stone – (304) 781-1659
Upshur Innovation Center
BUCKHANNON, WV
The Upshur Innovation Center is home to the IDEA, a modern state of the art co-working space.
(304) 472-1757 Ext. 1
Unlimited Future
HUNTINGTON, WV
Unlimited Future, Inc. is a business incubator and resource center that provides critical support services and education to entrepreneurs.
Ursulette Ward – (304) 697-3004
www.unlimitedfuture.org
University of Charleston Innovation Center
CHARLESTON, WV
The Russell and Martha Wehrle Innovation Center provides services to the entrepreneurial community including coaching, training and consulting.
David Ramsburg – (304) 357-4757
www.ucwv.edu/innovation/
USDA Rural Development
MORGANTOWN, WV
The USDA Rural Development helps improve the economy in rural America through a micro loan fund, value added funds for the development of new products and energy efficiency grants.
Alan Harris – (304) 284-4860
www.rd.usda.gov/wv
Vantage Ventures
MORGANTOWN, WV
Vantage Ventures enables entrepreneurs to build high impact, scalable businesses.
Sarah Biller – (617) 461-9562
www.vantageventures.io
West Virginia Forest Products Center
PRINCETON, WV
West Virginia Forest Products Center is a non-profit collective of designers and woodworkers who combine traditional knowledge and cutting-edge technology to create unique, heirloom-quality Appalachian hardwood products.
Joseph Howard – (304) 278-3328
www.wvfpc.com
West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust
CHARLESTON, WV
The West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust is a leading venture capital firm made up of partners with extensive management, operations and technology experience. They are focused on turning the innovation of new ideas into successful world-class companies. Since 1992, the JIT has been an active investor and valued partner to exceptional entrepreneurs.
Michele O’Connor – (304) 345-6200
www.wvjit.org
West Virginia State University Economic Development Center
CHARLESTON, WV
The West Virginia State University Economic Development Center is a co-working space, micro-enterprise incubator and training facility that offers conference and training rooms, private office space for lease, business development programs and a fully equipped multimedia production studio.
(304) 720-1401
www.wvsuedc.org
West Virginia Wood Technology Center
ELKINS, WV
WVWTC provides safety, skilled trades and machinery training. They offer incubator office space and facilitate assistance for startup businesses.
Robbie Morris – (304) 637-7500
Woodlands Community Lenders
ELKINS, WV
Woodlands Community Lenders is a Community Development Financial Institution specializing in residential and small business lending, in addition to providing advising services and technical assistance to new and existing small businesses.
Dave Clark – (304) 404-2909
www.wdgwv.org
WV Hive Network
BECKLEY, WV
The WV Hive Network provides entrepreneurs within its 12-county footprint one-on-one business advising, technical assistance funding, workshops, training and access to makerspace and incubation space.
(304) 460-4483
www.wvhive.com
WVU Encova Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
MORGANTOWN, WV
The Encova Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship seeks to educate our students, faculty, staff and community about successfully identifying and navigating entrepreneurial opportunities.
Tara Stclair – (304) 293-7221
www.business.wvu.edu/research-outreach/encova-center-for-innovation-and-entrepreneurship
WVU Morris L. Hayhurst LaunchLab
MORGANTOWN, WV
The LaunchLab offers applied innovation services to students who are interested in creating new products, services or businesses.
Carrie White – (304) 293-9391
www.launch.wvu.edu/
Upshur Innovation Center
BUCKHANNON, WV
The Upshur Innovation Center is home to the IDEA, a modern state-of-the-art co-working space.
(304) 472-1757 Ext: 1
Unlimited Future
HUNTINGTON, WV
Unlimited Future, Inc. is a business incubator and resource center that provides critical support services and education to entrepreneurs.
Ursulette Ward – (304) 697-3004
www.unlimitedfuture.org
University of Charleston Innovation Center
CHARLESTON, WV
The Russell and Martha Wehrle Innovation Center provides services to the entrepreneurial community, including coaching, training and consulting.
David Ramsburg – (304) 357-4757
www.ucwv.edu/innovation/
USDA Rural Development
MORGANTOWN, WV
The USDA Rural Development helps improve the economy in rural America through a micro loan fund, value added funds for the development of new products and energy efficiency grants.
Alan Harris – (304) 284-4860
www.rd.usda.gov/wv
Vantage Ventures
MORGANTOWN, WV
Vantage Ventures enables entrepreneurs to build high-impact, scalable businesses.
Sarah Biller – (617) 461-9562
www.vantageventures.io
West Virginia Forest Products Center
PRINCETON, WV
West Virginia Forest Products Center is a nonprofit collective of designers and woodworkers that combine traditional knowledge and cutting-edge technology to create unique, heirloom-quality Appalachian hardwood products.
Joseph Howard – (304) 278-3328
www.wvfpc.com
West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust
CHARLESTON, WV
The West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust is a leading venture capital firm made up of partners with extensive management, operations and technology experience. It’s focused on turning the innovation of new ideas into successful world-class companies. Since 1992, the JIT has been an active investor and valued partner to exceptional entrepreneurs.
Michele O’Connor – (304) 345-6200
www.wvjit.org
West Virginia State University Economic Development Center
CHARLESTON, WV
The West Virginia State University Economic Development Center is a co-working space, micro-enterprise incubator and training facility that offers conference and training rooms, private office space for lease, business development programs and a fully equipped multimedia production studio.
(304) 720-1401
www.wvsuedc.org
West Virginia Wood Technology Center
ELKINS, WV
WVWTC provides safety, skilled trades and machinery training. It offers incubator office space and facilitates assistance for startup businesses.
Robbie Morris – (304) 637-7500
Woodlands Community Lenders
ELKINS, WV
Woodlands Community Lenders is a community development financial institution specializing in residential and small business lending, in addition to providing advising services and technical assistance to new and existing small businesses.
Dave Clark – (304) 404-2909
www.wdgwv.org
WV Hive Network
BECKLEY, WV
The WV Hive Network provides entrepreneurs within its 12-county footprint one-on-one business advising, technical assistance funding, workshops, training and access to makerspace and incubation space.
(304) 460-4483
www.wvhive.com
WVU Encova Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
MORGANTOWN, WV
The Encova Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship seeks to educate students, faculty, staff and community about successfully identifying and navigating entrepreneurial opportunities.
Tara Stclair – (304) 293-7221
www.business.wvu.edu/research-outreach/encova-center-for-innovation-and-entrepreneurship
WVU Morris L. Hayhurst LaunchLab
MORGANTOWN, WV
The LaunchLab offers applied innovation services to students who are interested in creating new products, services or businesses.
Carrie White – (304) 293-9391
www.launch.wvu.edu/
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