A Rapid Decline As we think about the future of our state, what does a vibrant West Virginia look like? We may all have varying answers, but one thing is certain – we can’t achieve it without thinking about the next generation. Unfortunately, West Virginia has the highest rate of population...
The Cannel Coal chimney is believed to have been built around 1850. My hometown of Clendenin has a rich history that deserves to be heard. In the late 1840s, a new type of coal was discovered that when heated at the precise temperature produces a flammable liquid that burns bright. An...
Spotlight Program: Amber Ravenscroft Manager of Innovation The EdVenture Group NSF Regional Innovation Engines Funding Opportunity The Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, or TIP, is pleased to announce the launch of a bold, new initiative called the NSF Regional Innovation Engines, or NSF Engines, program and funding opportunity. NSF Engines is committed to creating...
How do you define an Entrepreneur? If you refer back to 18th century France, you might define an entrepreneur as “a maker.” In fact, many believe that the term comes from the phrase “celui qui entreprend” or “one who gets things done”. Others say that entrepreneurs are people who fall in...
West Virginia BusinessLink partnered with the West Virginia University John Chambers College of Business and Economics to host the inaugural Bridging Innovation Week in West Virginia. Spanning four days, more than 1,000 participants attended activities including interactive networking sessions, presentations from prominent state and national speakers, pitch contests, and more. During...
I assume you’re familiar with the slang phrase “testing the waters” – just as it might be wise to check the temperature of water before you take a leap into it, you may want to casually check out someone’s opinion of your product before you design & build a warehouse...
The last five years have been monumental for creating an environment where West Virginia's small business owners and entrepreneurs are welcomed and can thrive. And I am proud to be part of that multi-agency, multi-faceted effort. As WV Secretary of State, I serve as the state's chief business registration and...
Why Does Mentorship Matter? We see the influence of mentorship every day: in our own lives, in the lives of our friends and family, and in the media we consume. Many of the most influential politicians, businesspeople and cultural icons we admire have credited mentors as a key component on their...
One question we receive often here at The Robert C. Byrd Institute at Marshall University, known to most people simply as RCBI, is how to best manufacture a product while properly receiving the funding to continue developing your company. RCBI has multiple locations spread around West Virginia, all with teams...
Starting in the summer of 2019, the West Virginia Entrepreneurship Ecosystem began to plan for a large convening of the group in what would be the first ever WV Entrepreneurship Conference. Sponsors were engaged, speakers were found, the location was secured, and planning was going well. The organizing committee was...
