West Virginia University Business Incubator - Nurturing Technology Based Business

Generation Morgantown’s First Friday, March 2010

Natasha Catino — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:06:28 +0000

Mario’s Fishbowl/Full Bowl Catering will host Generation Morgantown’s March First Friday on March 5, 2010 at Crosley’s Banquet Center. Special guests will be members of the WVU College of Business and Economics MBA program. For members of Generation Morgantown, there will be $4.00 Long Island Iced Teas offered. For directions and more information please go to www.mariosfishbowl.biz.

To visit Generation Morgantown’s website, please click here.

Business Connections, March 2010

Natasha Catino — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:57:24 +0000

Morgantown Area Entrepreneurs Forum- March 9, 2010

“Programs and Services of the WVSBDC and the SBA” presented by Sharon Stratton, Center Manager of the West Virginia Sm. Business Development Center, and Karen Friel, U.S. Small Business Administration. The event is scheduled from 12 noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, March 9^th at the Morgantown Municipal Airport ground floor training room of the ARF Administration Building. Light refreshments are served, and there is no charge for the event sponsored by Morgantown Area Economic Partnership.

2010 WV Small Farm Conference- March 1 to 4, 2010

The annual event features information about fruit and vegetable production, energy, agri-tourism, farmers market management, animal production, and marketing. Held at Lakeview Resort in Morgantown, WV. Call West Virginia University Extension Service for registration and information: 304-293-2565

You Are Your Business Seminar- March 16, 2010

Topics of the business seminar are: choosing legal structure, selecting a location, insurance, knowing your market, advertising, keeping your books, developing a business plan, taxes, and financing your business. The finance section will be facilitated by a highly experienced lender who is our SBA microloan lender. The event is underwritten by the WV SBDC and Pierpont C&TC. Held at the FSU Caperton Center in Clarksburg, the event is from 1 to 4 p.m. Call the WV SBDC in Fairmont for Registration: 304-367-4931.

OSHA 30-Hour Construction Course- March 16, 17 and 18, 2010

Instructed by Ron Gacek, WV Department of Labor, the 3-day class includes materials handling, OSHA regulations, recordkeeping, hazard communication, health hazards in construction, fire protection, and safety regarding ladders, scaffolds, cranes, hoists, and conveyors. With completion of the 30-hour class, attendees become OSHA Outreach Trainers. $80.00 per person – registration is necessary. Call 800-766-4556. Morgantown Location.

Morgantown Economic Outlook Conference- March 17, 2010

Get the latest economic analysis and forecasts for these uncertain times. Presented by the West Virginia Bureau of Business Research, the 8:00 a.m. event is held at the Waterfront Hotel in Morgantown. For information and online registration, go to www.bber.wvu.edu or call 304-293-7831.

WVU OneShirt Clothing Drive

Natasha Catino — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:21:05 +0000

Last Friday, February 26, 2010, the WVU OneShirt clothing drive campaign came to a close. Clothing was collected at residence halls around campus and so.zo in downtown Morgantown, benefiting those around the world who may not have clothes or the means to buy them.

To view the full article from wdtv.com, please click here

Protea Biosciences Recieves Patent

Natasha Catino — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:51:00 +0000

Protea Biosciences made news last week when it recieved its second federal patent for a protein separator device. While they still have nine other patents pending, they are making strides toward success with their ever-growing company. This is a huge step forward for Protea, as they continue to push the field of medical technology forward.

To view the article from wvpubcast.org, please click here; to view the article from statejournal.com, please click here.

oneShirt Clothing Drive

Natasha Catino — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:41:10 +0000

The oneShirt Clothing drive, hosted by a number of businesses and organizations in the Morgantown area, will be held Thursday, February 25, 2010 at SOZO. Please bring a bag full of old clothing to participate, and help those in need.

View the full article on the Chestnut Ridge Church website here.

Generation Morgantown Dress for Success

Natasha Catino — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:26:06 +0000

On Tuesday February, 23, 2010, Generation Morgantown will be hosting Dress for Success from 6:00pm to 7:30pm. Women’s Event Held at Coni & Franc and Men’s Event Held at Daniels Men’s Clothing both on High St, Morgantown. Please RSVP By Friday, February 19, 2010. To register or for more information please contact Bradey Loffert at bradey.loffert@nmfn.com or you may also contact Sherea Mercure at sherea@blaineturner.com.

Protea Biosciences Press Release

Natasha Catino — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:21:23 +0000

View the original here.

Business Incubator Helps Success Beget Success

Natasha Catino — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:48:34 +0000

The WVU Business Incubator has helped scores of new upstart businesses become much more than an idea in the back of someone’s mind. The success of the program comes from a determination to help people begin businesses, and facilitates the process from brainstorm to reality. The various tenants at the WVUBI have more than flourished after their graduation from the cubicles inside the tan building on Chestnut Ridge Road in Morgantown.

The very first tenant, Chris Kolanko, armed with two patents, experience in the Naval Research Laboratory and the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, and an idea for a super modern eye scanning device just needed the resources the Business Incubator prides itself on. Almost eight years later, EyeMarker Solutions and the WVUBI are still working hand-in-hand to develop a device that is advancing technology, and it’s all happening in Morgantown.

A former tenant and Business Incubator success story, Choosy Kids, was based on a frustration from former WVU professor, Linda Carson. Fed up with childhood obesity epidemic, Carson decided to take action to help kids do the same. As a graduate from the WVUBI, Choosy Kids got the boost it needed to take off and continue Carson’s mission to a healthier future for children.

To access the entire article by April Johnson on WVUToday.com, please click here.

Protea Biosciences Paves Way for Research in West Virginia

Natasha Catino — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:30:17 +0000

Since 2001, Protea Biosciences, Inc. has been researching and developing new medical technology right here in West Virginia. The first biotechnology company in the state, Protea has grown into a global company in marketing and sales. As President and CEO Steve Turner said, the company is a “pioneer” in regards to their research and development and establishment in the state. The company’s products help researchers identify potentially disease-causing proteins which can lead to new developments in pharmaceutics for that field.

As sales and funding grow, so does the company. Protea now manufactures over 200 products and employs more than 30 full-time workers in their 7,000 square foot laboratory right off the Mileground in Morgantown. Just in the last six months, the company has seen dramatic growth in sales and the future keeps looking bright for such increases, especially since their customer base has swelled to 300 worldwide. Many of the full time employees are graduates of West Virginia University, and were born and raised in WV.

The West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust, a state-run investment company, has invested $1.7 million in Protea Biosciences and plans to purchase stock in order to help create new opportunities for research, development and careers. Andy Zulaf, executive director of WVJIT, said this about the initiative, started in 1992:

“Our mission is to provide equity capital to West Virginia-based companies with the goal of providing a financial return to the taxpayers of West Virginia, as well as stimulating social and economic returns in the form of job creation, job retention, and diversity of our economic base.”

In essence, the technology and research done at Protea is not only advancing the global field of medical technology, but also the economy of our great state of West Virginia. The combination of support from the University and Protea Biosciences strengthens the “next generation technology” and resident’s livelihood.

To access the full article by Jessica Legge Borders at timeswv.com, please click here.

West Virginia Statewide Collegiate Business Plan Competition

Natasha Catino — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:44:56 +0000

The fourth annual West Virginia Statewide Collegiate Business Plan Competition is currently in process to choosing new winners and this year, with the addition of a writing portion in the semi-finalist round, the competition is stronger than ever. The written section involves the study of the practicality of the proposed business, which helps not only the judges in choosing the winners, but also guides the teams toward better feasibility of their projected business plans.

WVU Business Incubator General Manager Dusty Gwinn has been a judge for the competition since its inception four years ago and had this to say about the addition of the improved proposals:

“We want to reward the best business plan,” Gwinn said, “but it’s very important, especially to me as general manager of the Incubator, that we ultimately champion someone that can really be a business here in West Virginia.”

Round One of the competition included 98 teams from various colleges around West Virginia vying for a spot in the third and final round that will culminate in April at WVU. The teams that have moved on to the last round are comprised of six teams from West Virginia University, two from the University of Charleston, one from Glenville State College and another from Marshall University. These ten student teams have completed the specific guidelines and hope to win the $10,000 cash prize and tenant space at the WVU Business Incubator, all in hopes to someday establish their proposed businesses.

To access the original article by Pam Kasey from wboy.com, please click here.