UC Downtown Innovation Hub

09/03/2026

This MicCheck is a spotlight on Mary Kuhl, owner of Roy Kuhl Sports and a standout graduate of our Business Accelerator Program!

In this quick video, Mary shares some insight into her business and her experience inside the accelerator.

Give it a watch and leave a comment to show your support! 👇

09/01/2026

Our monthly Founders Forum get-togethers are easily a highlight of the month! ☕

Building a business doesn't have to be a solo journey. There’s nothing quite like bringing local founders and innovators together under one roof to exchange insights, troubleshoot real-world challenges, and build meaningful networks across sectors. Honest peer mentorship and cross-industry collaboration are what drive this community forward.

Thank you to everyone who joined us this month!

How are you tapping into peer networks to scale your work lately? Drop your favorite piece of peer advice below! 👇

09/01/2026

We are thrilled to introduce one of the graduates of our first Business Accelerator Program Cohort for this Speaker Spotlight 🤩

Madhur Bedre is the founder and president of Atlas Prediction Control. A chemical engineer by trade, he built his process control and APC expertise from supporting a number of plastic manufacturers around the world. He founded Atlas in 2019 and built it into a world-renowned leader in practicing implementors of APC and AI technologies for chemicals and petrochemicals industries. He received the Small Business Person of the Year award from the U.S. Small Business Administration for West Virginia in 2026. Atlas is also proud to be a part of the Goldman Sachs 10000 Small Businesses WV 2026 cohort.

Register here to join us 👉
https://www.ucwv.edu/event/from-startup-to-growth-making-the-most-of-the-entrepreneurial-ecosystem/

08/27/2026

At the Downtown Takeover last week, all of our favorite things were in one place!
- Students
- Community Members
- Charleston Culture

We already can't wait for next year. 🤩

Thanks for stopping by, checking out the art, and listening to some tunes. Come back soon!

08/27/2026

The Downtown Innovation Hub is proud to celebrate the people and businesses that make our community special. In this Mic Check, Christa Parsons shares some of the excitement happening at our local Edible and insight into how the DIH supports local businesses.

Interested in our Business Accelerator Program? Apply here:
https://econnections.ucwv.edu/forms/dih

08/26/2026

Our team had a great time learning about Advantage Valley, Inc. Taste of Appalachia gift boxes yesterday!
You can take a look at this amazing project at https://tasteofappalachia.com/

Advantage Valley unveiled their Taste of Appalachia gift boxes, comprised of West Virginia-made products, on Aug. 25, 2026, at Capitol Market in Charleston. The boxes will be available to order online starting Sept. 15. 'In the know' features one or two local news topics to keep you informed as you....

08/25/2026

🚀 Speaker Spotlight 🚀

Amber Ravenscroft is a nationally recognized expert in entrepreneurship ecosystem building and entrepreneurship-led economic development. As the President & Founder of the Bridging Innovation Institute, she leads a nonprofit dedicated to revitalizing local economies by fostering innovation-driven environments. Under her leadership, Bridging Innovation serves as the backbone organization for the West Virginia Entrepreneurship Ecosystem, which Ravenscroft directs to align statewide resources, policy, and community impact.

Raised in rural Appalachia, Ravenscroft’s work is rooted in the belief that sustainable economic growth requires trust-based systems that bridge education, workforce, and entrepreneurship. She serves as the Co-Chair of National Entrepreneurship Week, driving a unified national campaign to democratize entrepreneurial opportunity across the United States.

Register here 👉

https://www.ucwv.edu/event/from-startup-to-growth-making-the-most-of-the-entrepreneurial-ecosystem/

08/18/2026

Looking for Thursday night plans? Spend ArtWalk CWV with us at the DIH from 5–8 PM!
We’re hosting fantastic local talent all evening:
🎵 Enjoy live music by The Two Roommates.
🌟 Browse handcrafted ceramics from the members of MadeBy Pottery Studio.
🌟 Check out incredible wood-burned pieces from Fox and Fiddlehead Art.
🌟 Pick up fresh copies of Maddie Goes to Malden and meet local creators Kimberli Milhoan & Martin Lucas.

08/17/2026

This Adventure Guide is a great tool to explore WV! When you stop at Taylor Books, don't forget to stop and say hi to us at the Downtown Innovation Hub!

08/17/2026

What a great crowd! Thank you to everyone who came out, asked questions, and engaged with us at this month's Inspiring Innovation Series.

A special thanks to Bob Coffield for sharing insights into the constantly evolving topic of AI and Healthcare.