UC Downtown Innovation Hub Welcomes Largest Business Accelerator Cohort
State Treasurer Larry Pack, Charleston Mayor Amy Goodwin Welcome 15 Small Business Owners
CHARLESTON, WV, August 13, 2025 — The University of Charleston Downtown Innovation Hub today welcomed its largest Business Accelerator Program cohort to date, marking a milestone in the program’s second year of supporting West Virginia’s small business community.
This fifth cohort brings together 15 established organizations from across the region, spanning industries including construction, marketing, agriculture, insurance, and technology.
“We are excited to welcome our largest group yet to the Business Accelerator Program,” UC President Marty Roth said. “This shows how committed we are to supporting entrepreneurs and growing the economy in West Virginia. The positive experiences previous participants have had is generating referrals and creating momentum. These 15 businesses exemplify what makes our state special, showcasing incredible talent, creativity, and a relentless desire to succeed. We are honored to be part of their journey as these businesses innovate, grow, and enhance our communities.”
State Treasurer Larry Pack and Charleston Mayor Amy Goodwin also delivered remarks to the group of business leaders who are driving economic growth throughout West Virginia.
“We must advocate for programs like this that provide businesses with the tools they need to expand their operations and provide good-paying jobs for our families,” Treasurer Pack said. “By offering these incentives, we can make West Virginia a place where businesses want to invest and where our workers can thrive. The number one thing we can do to better the lives of West Virginians is to give them a job. As your State Treasurer, it is my goal to ensure that there is a continued emphasis on economic development projects to grow our workforce and to show the world what West Virginia has to offer.”
“If you’re a small business in Charleston, it is my job is to ask, ‘How can we help you thrive?’ stated Mayor Goodwin. “Whether it’s repairing a cracked sidewalk, replacing a light, or making parking easier, we want to hear from you and take action. We work every single day to build a city where businesses don’t just survive, they grow, and where people believe in themselves and in their community. Thank you for what you do each and every day—you inspire me, you strengthen our city, and I’m proud to learn from you.”
This year’s cohort includes a dynamic mix of businesses: A Special Touch In Home Care, Appalachian Truck & Trailer, Cyrus Mini Storage, Drawing Board Designs, Ellis Insurance Agency, Foster Foundation Repair, GoDuck Media, Gritts Farm, Ideation Digital, IT Solutions, KDE Technology, Non-Destructive Inspection, RRG Behavioral Health, WV Security, and representatives from the Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
Small business owners ready to scale up and grow can apply in August for the UC Downtown Innovation Hub’s next no-cost Business Accelerator Program, offering expert mentorship, workshops, and networking to help established businesses grow and create jobs. Cohort six begins in October 2025.
Pictured above from left to right, UC Executive Director of Innovation Jim Linsenmeyer, Deputy Director of the WV SBDC Mark Burdette, Charleston Mayor Amy Goodwin, WV State Treasurer Larry Pack, City of Charleston Small Business Liaison Audrey Conn, and UC President Dr. Marty Roth.
About the Business Accelerator Program
UC’s accelerator targets growth-stage businesses that are already operational and generating revenue. The three-month program features six intensive courses, hands-on mentorship, expert-led workshops, and strategic networking. Through UC’s partnership with the Global Innovation Management Institute (GIMI) — a leading international organization setting standards for innovation excellence — participants gain access to proven global growth frameworks.
Past graduates have expanded operations, created jobs, and increased revenues, directly strengthening local communities and the state’s economy. Thanks to grant funding, the program is free to participating businesses, and graduates also join the Founders Forum, UC’s peer mentoring network that supports long-term growth.
About the UC Downtown Innovation Hub
Launched in 2023, the UC Downtown Innovation Hub is a catalyst for entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic development in West Virginia. The Hub’s Business Accelerator Program equips established small businesses with the tools, strategies, and networks needed to grow, thrive, and compete on a larger scale. Businesses are also paired with a WV SBDC business coach ae well as having access to UC Innovation staff and student resources.