gastrointestinal surgeries . The 3 Steps to StartUp program provided a spectrum of assistance to the company , including pitch training and coaching and opportunities to pitch angel and venture firms for funding . In mid-2021 , the company won the 2021 Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons Shark Tank , a prestigious , national surgical innovation pitch competition .
Commenting on the impact of the 3 Steps to StartUp program , Endolumik CEO Mara McFadden says , “ The program was integral to Endolumik ’ s success . Their early support was invaluable , and we met our eventual lead investor through one of their events .”
SwifTAG Systems , another firm founded in North Central West Virginia , brings high technology and medical research together through the development of tools to manage small animal logistics in the research setting . The firm ’ s product lines include small animal tags , handheld and tabletop readers , cage and rack readers , whole laboratory management systems and support software .
The 3 Steps to Startup program has assisted SwifTAG in a variety of ways , including connecting it to a medical technology commercialization advisor , providing support for an SBIR Phase II submission , funding a sales consultant and introducing management to venture capital opportunities .
Other West Virginia health care , medical technology and life science companies assisted through the program include Pro Therapy Solutions , ExesaLibero Pharma , Invibragen , Inc ., Aspirations LLC , Sostos LLC , NeuroWired and RPC Designs , to name a few .
The talent pipeline for health care innovators in West Virginia is strong and growing . Pairing these entrepreneurs with the assistance they need to take their product or service to market is critical for their success and the future of our state and regional economy .
Program Impact
“ 3 Steps to StartUp has proven to be a fundamental and critical component to building an effective and impactful ecosystem to support entrepreneurs , innovators and inventors in West Virginia ,” says Andrew Zulauf , executive director of the WVJIT . “ Integrating market focused education , operational assistance for company formation , access to industry leading experts , business strategy development and commercialization , with pitch preparation and access to lenders and investors , the 3 Steps to StartUp program is a holistic model for preparing the next generation of business owners for sustainable success .”
“ The program delivers a coordinated , concentrated suite of educational opportunities , connections to ecosystem resources and a library of tools for entrepreneurs . In its short history it has delivered real results for West Virginia ’ s emerging high-impact businesses ,” says Rich Giersch , executive director of TechConnect West Virginia .
In fact , in just the first two years of operation , the 3 Steps to StartUp program has assisted over 100 businesses while helping secure nearly $ 12 million in funding .
Enhancing West Virginia ’ s startup pipeline and accelerating the development , job creation , investment and market introduction of new companies in West Virginia is the goal of the program .
“ When you surround an innovative young company with the technical , professional and financial assistance they require , they will be successful ,” says 3 Steps to StartUp founder Guy Peduto .
3 Steps to StartUp is a catalyst for change focused on providing opportunity and leveling the playing field for West Virginia innovators .
To learn more about the 3 Steps to StartUp program , or to apply , visit 3steps2startup . com .
Recent 3 Steps to StartUp Health Care Successes