West Virginia’s high-tech economy will be on full display at the State Capitol from 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., on Monday, March 11 during “Innovation & Entrepreneurship Day,” hosted by Industries of the Future-West Virginia (IOF-WV) and TechConnect West Virginia. Media are encouraged to attend.
Anne Barth, executive director of TechConnect West Virginia, said, “We are here to put a face on the innovation economy to let policy makers know this industry is not only alive and well, but growing and creating jobs across the Mountain State. Strong support from our elected leaders and the Legislature is vital in helping to sustain and grow the innovation movement in West Virginia.”
West Virginia’s innovation economy includes technology-based companies, manufacturers, funders, research organizations, economic development organizations and entrepreneurs.
Activities taking place during the day-long event include:
- Innovation-based company exhibits in the Rotunda (9:00 am);
- IOF-WV Awards Luncheon at the Culture Center (11:45 am);
- “Sustaining WV’s Innovation Network” Panel Discussion in the Senate Judiciary Committee Room (1:30 pm).
The afternoon panel discussion will feature West Virginia innovation drivers discussing West Virginia’s high-tech economy. Presenters include:
- Greg Clutter, Mid-Atlantic Technology and Research Innovation Center, will talk about his center’s R&D commercialization efforts and successes.
- Charlotte Weber, Robert C. Byrd Institute for Advanced Flexible Manufacturing, will share information about her center’s 3-D printing capabilities and highlight new assistance services available for entrepreneurs.
- Guy Peduto, INNOVA Commercialization Group, will provide an update on new ventures that have benefited from his group’s business support services and seed/early-stage investment capital program.
- Michele O’Connor, West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust Board, will educate attendees about the state’s new multi-million-dollar West Virginia Capital Access Program.
“West Virginia’s innovation network is strong and broad, as evidenced by the more than 80 companies, groups and agencies that have added their support for the Innovation & Entrepreneurship event,” Barth noted.
For more information, contact Anne Barth at (304) 444-2918 or anne@techconnectwv.org, or visit www.techconnectwv.org.
