Wv Coalition For Technology-Based Economic Development Inc

Programs: Scaleup west virginia program: this program, delivered in partnership with five sub-awardees, ended on dec. 2, 2017 and achieved its goals to spur entrepreneurial and innovation activity, to help create and protect jobs in west virginia, and to support west virginia's continuing efforts to diversify its economy. Through scaleup west virginia, techconnectwv assisted 121 entrepreneurs and existing companies in creating new products, processes and strategies and helped in the creation of 30 new companies, which resulted in the creation of 59 new jobs and 87 jobs retained. In addition, the scaleup wv program assisted in the creation of 35 new products and 15 new processes, while leveraging $5,035,240 in follow-on funding. The scaleup wv program also offered training to more than 120 individuals in how to apply for, and win, awards through the federally-funded small business innovation research and small business technology transfer programs. The program served nearly 300 individuals and small businesses.

techconnect hosted a number of forums and special events designed to raise awareness of the benefits of tech-based economic development, spotlight success stories and share best practices, and encourage innovation and entrepreneurship throughout the state, including: 1) spirit of innovation awards, 2) innovation & entrepreneurship day (150 people), 3) the women & technology conference (oct. 2016 and june 2017-total of 250 people), 4) wv's first coding & cyber summit (165 people). In addition, techconnect co-hosted events designed to spur cluster growth in key technology sectors, including the 2017 west virginia bioscience summit and bioscience boot camp (95 people), the tech jobs tour (150 people), the "west virginia research and innovation: a catalyst for better health and economic growth" forum at shepherd university (125 people), the good jobs conference (200 people). These programs served 1,135 individuals.

techconnect produced a map of business incubators and accelerators in west virginia, and distributed this via press release, newsletter and on its website. In partnership with west virginia university, techconnect launched the wv defense industry alliance, designed to strengthen the defense industry supply chain in west virginia. The wv defense industry alliance program will result in a map of the defense supply chain, an engaged steering committee of defense contractors, and plans for future grant funding to support in-state defense contractors. With support from the wv department of commerce, techconnect launched a new statewide technical assistance program for entrepreneurs and small businesses in partnership with the chemical alliance zone, the center for applied research & technology and the innova commercialization group.