TechConnectWV

What TechConnectWV does

TechConnect West Virginia (TechConnectWV) is a non-profit coalition founded in 2006 and headquartered in South Charleston, West Virginia, that operates as the statewide convener and support platform for the state's tech entrepreneurship ecosystem. The organization delivers its mission through a portfolio of interconnected programs: One-on-One Support provides hands-on advisory and mentorship for entrepreneurs refining business models, securing funding, and exploring market opportunities; the Tech Trailblazers Speaker Series spotlights women and minority founders leading innovation in WV tech; the Tech Fellows Program (in launch) builds a network of local advocates in key WV cities; the Women in Tech Conference (scheduled for spring 2026) convenes the statewide community; and a podcast amplifies founder stories. TechConnectWV also produces and distributes this programming through a monthly email newsletter, website content, and community engagement channels.

The organization's technology footprint is programmatic rather than product-based: there is no proprietary software, app, or API, and TechConnectWV does not develop or resell technology products. Its "technology" is its convening capability, partner integrations with organizations such as WV BusinessLink, WV SBDC, Generation WV, and the WV Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, plus co-development of strategic frameworks like the West Virginia Blueprint for Technology-Based Economic Development (created with the Battelle Institute in 2006, identifying advanced energy, chemicals and advanced materials, biometrics, and biotechnology as priority sectors).

TechConnectWV's revenue model is a hybrid of tiered annual membership dues and philanthropic support. Membership is publicly disclosed on its website across six tiers ranging from $120/year for individual Connectors to $5,000/year for large technology companies, with intermediate tiers for startups ($240), non-profits ($500), small tech companies ($1,200), and academic institutions ($2,500). Conference tickets bundle year-long Connector memberships, and in-kind donations can be applied toward dues. The Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation is identified as the primary financial supporter. The organization serves first-time founders, seasoned entrepreneurs, investors, tech professionals, and students across West Virginia, with no operations outside the state.

Name

TechConnectWV

Legal name

TechConnect West Virginia

Website

https://techconnectwv.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

TechConnectWV is a West Virginia non-profit coalition founded in 2006 that supports tech entrepreneurs statewide through mentorship programs, speaker series, conferences, and a tiered membership network, serving first-time founders, seasoned entrepreneurs, and ecosystem partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Entrepreneurship Support Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAG)

Keywords

• Tech entrepreneurship support
• Startup ecosystem development
• Innovation network services
• Economic development programs
• Founder mentorship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Charleston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees at multiple tiers ranging from $120 for individuals to $5,000 for large technology companies, providing business opportunities, statewide assistance, and networking access.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

TechConnectWV is a nonprofit statewide coalition that supports tech entrepreneurship in West Virginia through a connected platform of programs: hands-on one-on-one advisory support for founders, the Tech Trailblazers Speaker Series spotlighting women and minority innovators, the Women in Tech Conference, the TechConnectWV Podcast, and a tiered annual membership program ranging from $120 for individuals to $5,000 for large technology companies. The organization acts as a convener, connecting entrepreneurs with investors, mentors, and partner support organizations.

Product overview

TechConnectWV is a statewide tech entrepreneurship support organization, not a traditional software product company. It operates as a platform of interconnected programs: One-on-One Support provides hands-on advisory; the Tech Trailblazers Speaker Series spotlights underrepresented founders; the Tech Fellows Program builds a regional advocate network; the Women in Tech Conference convenes the state's tech community; the Podcast amplifies founder stories; and the Membership program offers tiered access to resources, events, and networking across five investment levels from $120 to $5,000 annually.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Battelle InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with TechConnect to create the West Virginia Blueprint for Technology-Based Economic Development, identifying four key sectors: advanced energy, chemicals and advanced materials, biometrics, and biotechnology.
• West Virginia BusinessLinkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a resource partner providing business support services to West Virginia entrepreneurs.
• WV Entrepreneurial EcosystemminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEcosystem resource partner connecting entrepreneurs to statewide support services.
• WV SBDC (Small Business Development Center)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerResource partner providing small business development support and referrals.
• Generation WVminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization operating the tech job board and career opportunity resources.
• West Virginia Entrepreneurial Support Organizations (ESOs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking with other entrepreneurial support organizations across the state to fill gaps and accomplish shared goals while keeping entrepreneurs at the forefront.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• gener8tor: Milwaukee-headquartered accelerator network running programs across U.S. geographies. Comparable as an early-stage founder support organization, though gener8tor deploys equity investment and runs cohort-based programs.
• Cintrifuse: Cincinnati-based regional innovation catalyst that convenes startups, corporates, and investors. Directly comparable as a regional nonprofit consortium focused on tech-entrepreneur ecosystem development.
• 1871: Chicago-based nonprofit tech hub and incubator providing coworking, mentorship, and programming to a regional tech community. Highly comparable as a non-equity, membership and event-driven ecosystem builder, though operating in a much larger metro.
• Innovation Works: Pittsburgh-based nonprofit supporting early-stage technology entrepreneurs through funding, mentorship, and ecosystem programs. Closely comparable as a regional nonprofit innovator-support organization, though Innovation Works also operates a venture fund.
• Village Capital: Nonprofit supporting early-stage entrepreneurs through peer-selected accelerator programs and impact-aligned venture support. Comparable as a nonprofit organization running equity-free programs for founders in under-served geographies.
• Rev1 Ventures: Columbus, Ohio-based startup support organization combining accelerator programs, venture capital, and corporate partnerships. Comparable as a regional innovation hub focused on early-stage tech founders.
• The Venture Center: Arkansas-based nonprofit innovation hub running accelerators, bootcamps, and corporate partnerships. Comparable as a state-level nonprofit ecosystem builder targeting a small-population state, similar to TechConnectWV's West Virginia positioning.
• MassChallenge: Global nonprofit accelerator offering equity-free programs for early-stage startups. Comparable as a nonprofit ecosystem builder that convenes cohorts and partners; differs in operating global cohorts rather than a single state.

Emerging players

• LaunchCode: Nonprofit providing free tech training, apprenticeship placement, and workforce development. Comparable as a nonprofit addressing tech talent gaps; differs in focusing on skill-building rather than founder convening.

Broad incumbents

• Techstars: Global accelerator running mentor-driven, cohort-based programs for technology startups. Comparable as an early-stage entrepreneur support platform, though Techstars is a for-profit broad incumbent operating worldwide with equity investment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/techconnectwv
• Facebookfacebook.com/techconnectwv-115661065144741
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/techconnect-west-virginia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about TechConnectWV