The INNOVA team is dedicated to West Virginia entrepreneurs and their success. The VC Expo is an annual forum hosted by INNOVA to discuss the needs of start-up and growth companies, strategy formation and implementation, intellectual property and the venture capital industry. Additionally, the VC Expo has consistently provided a networking environment where entrepreneurs can engage in private conversations with other entrepreneurs, service providers and investors.

Welcome
Jim Estep, President and Chief Executive Officer
WVHTC Foundation

Introduction to VC Expo
Chris Morris, Commercialization Manager
INNOVA Commercialization Group

So You Want to Become an Entrepreneur: What Every Entrepreneur Should Know before Making the Plunge
Mike Formica, Chief Executive Officer
NuCo Tech Group

Begin with a Plan: The Importance of Business Planning
Stefanie Pierce Weaver, Manager, Entrepreneur Learning Programs
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

Let’s Get It Started: Leading Your Company through the Start-up
Dr. Julie Smith, Co-founder and Senior Partner
Continuous Learning Group

Reaching Your Markets: Fine-tuning Your Product to Meet Your Customers’ Needs
Dr. Arthur A. Boni, Director of the Donald H. Jones Center for Entrepreneurship
Carnegie Mellon University

Keynote Discussion:
Ray Lane, General Partner
Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers
Facilitated by Mike Green, Chairman of the Board
Landslide Technologies, Inc.

Intellectual Property 101: When, Why and How
Wade Savoy, Associate General Counsel of Intellectual Property
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Megan Carpenter, Assistant Professor of Law
West Virginia University

Panel Discussion
Seth Rosenberg, Founder and Principal
Socius Partners, LLC
Patrick R. Esposito II, Chief Operating Officer
Augusta Systems, Inc.
Kevin A. Wiggins, Attorney
Steptoe & Johnson, PLLC

Closing Remarks
Chris Morris, INNOVA Commercialization Group

Read testimonials from past VC Expo attendees.

VC Expo Contact: Connie Runyon at (304) 333-6767.