Vantage Ventures
Accelerating and investing in the growth of scalable startups in West Virginia
Accelerator Program
Vantage Ventures operates a 13-week accelerator program to help WV-based startups test critical assumptions, create prototypes and products, gain early traction with customers, and prepare to pitch investors. Vantage Ventures admits new cohorts of startups each September and January. Entrepreneurs can participate either in-person in Morgantown or virtually from anywhere in West Virginia.
Participants have access to several funding opportunities. All startups accepted into the accelerator receive up to $10,000 in non-dilutive technical assistance funding thanks to a grant from the U.S. Economic Development administration. Top-performing accelerator graduates may qualify to pitch for up to $100,000 in additional funding. WVU students can receive $14 per hour for up to 20 hours per week while working on their startups.
Join our Expert Community
Vantage Ventures is seeking external partners with expertise in areas like product
development, engineering and design, artificial intelligence and machine learning,
software development, startup legal, finance and accounting, branding, and online
marketing to serve as mentors, speakers, and technical assistance vendors in
support of our accelerator program.
PRE-Seed Investment Fund
Vantage Ventures also operates a pre-seed investment fund through the WVU Foundation. We invest up to $100,000 in top accelerator program graduates and partner with other local investors to make sure that early-stage startups in West Virginia can access the capital they need to survive and thrive.
COHORT QUOTES
Our people tell the story of Vantage Ventures. Check out the testimonial of one of our current cohort members.
“Participating in the Vantage Ventures Accelerator was a game changer for Best Dam Tape. They didn’t just help us refine our existing strengths; they found our potential, unlocking new strategies and connections that propelled our growth to the next level.”
Logan Cuvo
Best Dam Tape
Cohort Class of 2024
