West Virginia Executive Winter 2018 | Page 36

[ economy ] Inspiring Small Business Success West Virginia’s Shark Tank KATLIN SWISHER SAMANTHA CART The Robert C. Byrd Institute’s Early Stage Funding Opportunities program provides the opportunity for West Virginia business owners to receive funding and support services in an effort to create more manufacturing jobs in the Mountain State and offset the losses caused by the downturn in the coal industry. 34 WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE