of ways , including volunteering to judge a business competition , offering to serve as a student mentor or classroom speaker , participating in the Classroom 2 Career Summit , attending job fairs , becoming part of a CTE advisory council and becoming involved in the Bridging Innovation events .
“ West Virginia is a state rooted in entrepreneurial history ,” says Burch . “ Small businesses serve as the powerhouse of our economy . By equipping the next generation with entrepreneurial aptitudes and skills , we ’ re building a sustainable pipeline of entrepreneurial talent to support our local communities . West Virginia has the largest population decline in the nation , with youth and younger adults accounting for most of the outmigration . Entrepreneurship gives students the skills and , most importantly , the hope to empower them to stay and make a difference in our state . Entrepreneurship can often be perceived as an independent pursuit , but entrepreneurial endeavors are often not successful in isolation . With an ecosystem of support from youth to retirees , our state can set a precedent of collaboration and support to empower all ideas .” •
Bridging Innovation
April 4-8 , 2022
• University of Charleston ’ s i3 Competition
• West Virginia Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Conference
• West Virginia Innovation & Business Model College Competition
• West Virginia Statewide High School Business Plan Competition
• West Virginia Statewide Business Plan Competition
• My Hometown is Cool
• Seed WV
• Trans Tech