Second Launch WV Provides
Technology to Schools While
Saving the State Millions
As part of the Second Launch WV ini-
tiative, more than 14,000 digital items
bound for state surplus have been rerout-
ed to the West Virginia Department of
Education (WVDE) to be rebuilt, refur-
bished and reinvested in schools across
the Mountain State.
Through the Second Launch WV ini-
tiative, computers and other technology
equipment no longer being used by state
agencies are donated to the WVDE to wipe
clean and upgrade to meet the require-
ments of the programs used in schools.
Computers, monitors, keyboards and
mice are packaged together for ease of
use and assembly and provided to schools
at no cost.
Beginning in 2018, the WVDE part-
nered with the West Virginia Library
Commission to also provide equipment
to the state’s 118 public libraries.
“Because many of our students access
computers at their local libraries, we
saw a valuable opportunity to partner
with the library commission to pro-
vide updated equipment,” says West
Virginia Superintendent of Schools Dr.
Steven Paine. “Many of the computers
within our libraries are more than 10
years old.”
Since the initiative began in June 2015,
thousands of items have been reinvested
within 47 counties, a value of more than
$5 million. The recycled technology is
beneficial to students beyond simple
digital literacy—it promotes workplace
soft skills such as critical thinking, inde-
pendent research and cross-technology
proficiency.
In addition to equipment from state
agencies, private organizations such as
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Moun-
taineer Gas and the West Virginia Air
National Guard have also recently do-
nated equipment to Second Launch WV.
TechConnect West Virginia
Announces the Spirit of
Innovation Award Winners
With the goal of recognizing leader-
ship in innovation and technology-based
business development in West Virginia,
TechConnect West Virginia recently pre-
sented its Spirit of Innovation Awards
to Progressive Industries, Greenbrier
Technical Services and Assistant State
Superintendent of West Virginia Schools
Kathy D’Antoni. The awards were given
during a special awards luncheon at the
2018 Women & Technology Conference
in Charleston.
“The Spirit of Innovation program is
an opportunity to spotlight success stories
throughout the state and recognize the
people and organizations that support in-
novation-based economic development,”
says Anne Barth, executive director of
TechConnect. “Our awardees are very
deserving as they are leading the way
for technology deployment in their
respective fields.”
Heather and Greg Cyphert, the owners of
Progressive Industries and sister company
Precision Tool in Monongalia County,
were recognized with the Spirit of Innova-
tion Award for Innovative Manufacturer
of the Year. Through assistance provided
by the West Virginia Manufacturing
Extension Partnership and TechConnect’s
ScaleUp West Virginia program, the com-
pany was able to reduce costs, replace
aging computer equipment and build an
effective online presence.
In recognition of its strong rebound and
renewal in the face of a changing busi-
ness environment, Greenbrier Technical
Services and its president, Joe McGraw,
were honored with The Phoenix Award.
The company, which specializes in the
manufacturing and repair of electronic
parts and circuit boards, leveraged Tech-
Connect’s ScaleUp West Virginia program
and other assistance to successfully iden-
tify and capture new markets.
Kathy D’Antoni was honored with
the Outstanding Woman in Technology
Award for her visionary leadership in
developing Simulated Workplace, a pro-
gram demonstrating incredible success.
The program transforms the traditional
career technical classroom into an en-
vironment that emulates real places of
business. The program has become a
model that other states and countries are
pursuing, and it is providing real-world
results for West Virginia students.
West Virginia University
Announces Regional Hub to Train
Entrepreneurs and Commercialize
Health Care Technology
Hoping to speed up the move from idea
to application, West Virginia University
(WVU) and 23 other regional institutions
have come together to create a virtual
hub that will ultimately help speed the
commercialization of groundbreaking
university research.
WVU, as part of its commitment to
create and support a strong entrepreneur-
ial culture in the state, will collaborate
with XLerateHealth, a small business
that focuses on health care technology
startups and commercialization.
The hub will help accelerate the move-
ment of cutting-edge biomedical technol-
ogies and products from the laboratory
into the marketplace and commercialize
new innovation in pharmaceuticals, medi-
cal devices, health care IT and electronics.
WVU Provost Joyce McConnell.
WVU, the University of Kentucky (UK)
and the University of Louisville (UofL)
co-led the university side of this effort and
organized a consortium of participating
regional universities to collaborate with
XLerateHealth.
“This biomedical technology accelerator
will provide unparalleled opportunities
to bring the brightest minds together to
advance and commercialize technologies
that can truly make a difference in people’s
lives here in West Virginia, across Appa-
lachia and beyond,” says WVU President
Gordon Gee. “West Virginia University
is pleased to be able to join forces with so
many of our neighboring institutions to
deliver world-changing discoveries and
innovation that will generate economic
opportunities while leveraging break-
throughs in health care.”
Through the creation of this online
virtual hub, WVU, XLerateHealth, UK
and UofL will coordinate programming,
educational resources and commercializa-
tion tools for all participating institutions
to utilize. There will also be support ser-
vices to help entrepreneurs protect their
intellectual property, assist in technology
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