Making the Mountain
State Home
High-Tech Startups Choose West Virginia
CATHY BONNSTETTER
West Virginia leaders have been putting together the pieces of an economic , high-tech , game-changing puzzle . By offering a myriad of networking opportunities , financial assistance and expertise , the state is encouraging high-tech dreamers and doers to call or keep the Mountain State their home .
“ West Virginia is experiencing its broadest economic expansion in a decade ,” says Marshall University president and former CEO of Intuit , Brad Smith . “ The end of last year showed a quarterly growth of 7.3 %, ranking us 10th in the nation . The state is successfully transitioning into the startup state we collectively envisioned — an innovation economy adopting artificial intelligence , green tech and digital health , among other tools . Our time has come , and this momentum is , in large part , due to a joint effort between the public , private and academic sectors to establish a business environment that is capital efficient , talent rich and policy friendly .”
Sarah Biller , executive director of Vantage Ventures , an initiative of the John Chambers School of Business and Economics at West Virginia University ( WVU ), says the state is the perfect place to spread your entrepreneurial wings .
“ West Virginia is an unexpectedly awesome place to grow a startup ,” she says . “ We have numerous opportunities to grow our startup sector , from exposing our students to these exciting opportunities to enacting entrepreneurial-friendly legislation to attracting new investors .”
Vantage Ventures encourages high-tech entrepreneurs to amplify , innovate and redefine what is possible . The WVU initiative provides the support for high-tech startups that address the needs of a sizable market . Vantage opened its doors in 2019 and , so far , has onboarded 33 entrepreneurial companies .
In addition to Vantage Ventures , high-tech support is available through organizations such as TechConnect West Virginia , a nonprofit coalition advancing the innovation economy in the state ; the West Virginia Small Business Development Center ; and INNOVA Commercialization Group , an initiative of the High Technology Foundation .
INNOVA Group has placed more than $ 3.9 million in direct investments into 28 West Virginia companies . Other organizations have been working to organize investors , as well .
“ West Virginia has a sizeable and collegial startup ecosystem that supports entrepreneurs ,” Biller says . “ Across the state , organizations like the West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust provide business mentorship and coaching . In increasing numbers , organizations like the Country Roads Angel Network , based in Beckley , and others are organizing investors to provide West Virginia startups access to funding .”
Dan Wright , DataRobot CEO , brought his high-tech company to Morgantown in 2012 . He says even then , it was an easy choice . DataRobot set up a hub at the Vantage Ventures ’ offices in 2021 .
“ I learned there was a unique opportunity here to create jobs in the rapidly growing technology field , as well as an exceptional talent pool and an inspiring future generation at WVU ,” he says .
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE