Have an idea for a new product or a new technology?
TechConnect West Virginia and The INNOVA Commercialization Group announced this week the establishment of a new program that will provide business assistance and funding expertise to entrepreneurs in West Virginia. The program, called StartUp West Virginia Venture, will provide start-up services to six selected small businesses and entrepreneurs.
The StartUp West Virginia Venture program will provide the selected entrepreneurs or small businesses with such services as consultation, entrepreneurial training, mentoring, research and product development, subject matter experts and collaborators, legal, financial and accounting assistance and marketing assistance.
Preference will be given to those entrepreneurs that fall within TechConnect WV's four target innovation sectors: biometrics, chemicals and advanced materials, biosciences and advanced energy. The selected business will need to demonstrate that they are developing a unique product, process or technology.
The program is designed to expand entrepreneurial and business start-up efforts that will help create new tech-based jobs in high-growth industries in West Virginia.
The INNOVA Commercialization Group will provide assessments and guidance on how to take your idea from concept to the marketplace. Upon completion of the StartUp West Virginia Venture program, selected applicants may continue to work, at no cost, with the INNOVA Commercialization Group to implement their business plans and to undertake market entry with assistance in obtaining seed and early-stage investment capital available from INNOVA and other sources of possible start-up funding.
Entrepreneurs and businesses interested in submitting an application may do so by going to the INNOVA website at innovawv.ecenterdirect.com/Welcome.action and then choosing the "Preliminary Application for Services" tab and completing the Client Sign-up steps.
Completed applications are due by the close of business on June 22.
The StartUp West Virginia Venture program is a collaborative effort by TechConnect West Virginia and The INNOVA Commercialization Group, an initiative of The WV High Technology Consortium Foundation. Funding for StartUp West Virginia Venture has been provided by the U.S. Economic Development Administration and the State of West Virginia. Funding for INNOVA's programs has been provided by The Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, the Appalachian Regional Commission, The West Virginia Economic Development Authority and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
For more information about TechConnect WV, visit their website at www.techconnectwv.org
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Jill Parsons is president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley.
