Are you a college student with a big idea and the drive to make it happen? Do you have a passion for innovation and a dream of starting your own business? The WV Hive is here to help you bring your vision to life! Get expert guidance, valuable resources, and the support you need to launch and grow your venture.
The WV Hive is dedicated to supporting college students in our 13-county service area. We equip aspiring business owners with essential knowledge, resources, and mentorship to transform their innovative ideas into successful ventures. Students can access WV Hive services while enrolled* at a college within our service area, provided they have or intend to establish a business in West Virginia.
Summersville
Beckley
Hinton
Oak Hill
From brainstorming your first idea to scaling an existing business, our business advisors are here to guide you. Get one-on-one business advising, set goals, track progress, and stay on the path to success! And it’s free!
Starting a business can be complicated, but our clients don’t have to figure it out alone. We help entrepreneurs connect with business resources and work with trusted organizations to make things like registration, licensing, and finding funding easier to navigate.
Gain or strengthen the skills you need to build a successful business with our year-round training programs. Whether you need a quick jumpstart with our three-hour “Get Started” session, an immersive four-session “Bootcamp”, or an in-depth 10-week CO.STARTERS “Core” program, we’ve got the right training for you. (Small fees apply.)
Need space to work? Our Business Hub in Beckley offers co-working and meeting spaces for hourly or daily rental—perfect for brainstorming, collaborating, or hosting a meeting to build your business. Rental rates apply.
Got a product idea? Bring it to life with our 3D printers, laser cutter, and other high-tech tools in our self-guided makerspace. Only pay for your materials!
Money shouldn’t be a barrier to your success! We help connect you with funding opportunities through banks, investors, grants, and if you qualify, technical assistance funds to help cover eligible startup costs.
Put your business idea to the test in our annual Pitch Southern West Virginia business idea competition for a chance to win funding to launch or grow your startup. Compete against other entrepreneurs, get feedback from expert judges, and gain exposure for your business!
Build relationships and gain valuable insights from fellow entrepreneurs at networking events like Coffee Talks, Lunch & Learn Webinars, and the WV Hive Network & Resource Fair. Meet potential mentors, collaborators, and industry experts who can help you along your journey.
Complete our quick application and schedule a virtual assessment—a casual conversation with a WV Hive representative to explore how our services can support your business journey. No pressure, just an opportunity to see if becoming a WV Hive client is right for you!
*After graduation or unenrollment, continued support is available only if they reside or operate a business within our service region.