WVU presides over Vantage Ventures

West Virginia University (WVU) has launched a new incubator through its John Chambers College of Business and Economics to foster startups and make a name for the state’s entrepreneurial landscape.
More than 15 businesses have signed up to the initiative, dubbed Vantage Ventures, with each taking up space in a newly-converted block within WVU’s University Place complex, which also hosts student flats.
Billed as an intersection for creativity, collaboration and entrepreneurship, Vantage Ventures will primarily incubate healthcare, security, energy and sensory-related businesses. It has been set up in support of a local startup support strategy called West Virginia Forward – run jointly by WVU, Marshall University and the West Virginia Department of Commerce.
The incubator grew from discussions between local businessman and WVU alumnus John Chambers – a former CEO of network security firm Cisco Systems – which led to Chambers donating to the College of Business and Economics on the understanding it would double down on efforts to make West Virginia a startup powerhouse.
Sarah Biller, executive director of Vantage Ventures, said: “We look at this as an opportunity to access untapped intellectual capital and resources to solve large problems and stand-up businesses that attract venture investment and are profitable.”