Our Vision

Accelerate Appalachia is a Recognized Leader of World Class Innovation and Entrepreneurship in a Rural Setting

Our Mission Statement

Create a Recognized Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Hub in the Appalachian Highlands that integrates Research, Business Development, and Venture Investment in Early-stage and Small Scalable Companies. Create a Robust Sustainable Environment able to Seed, Nurture, Fund and Grow Entrepreneurial Activity in a Rural Setting.

About Us

We believe a Collaborative and Outcome Oriented approach is needed to build a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem

What does “success” look like?

Appalachian Highlands is a Prosperous Region and a Recognized Leader in Rural Innovation with a robust sustainable Economic Environment that Seeds, Cultivates and Grows: Startup Development; Venture Investment; and Research and Intellectual Property Commercialization.

Within this Ecosystem, Accelerate Appalachia is the “Entrepreneurial Hub” and the Catalyst for World Class Innovation and Entrepreneurship by Promoting, Coordinating, and Supporting existing organizations/operations and building new programs to Scale Startup Growth in a Rural Setting.

Success is achieved through:

  • Vibrant Economic Activity (focused on Entrepreneurship and Venture activity)
  • World Class Innovation, Research and IP Commercialization (within the constraints of a Rural Environment)
  • World Class Education and Workforce Development Systems
  • World Class Academic Institutions in a Rural Environment
  • World Class Private Sector Companies (focused on Early-stage and Small Scalable Businesses)

OUR CORE VALUES

World Class in a Rural Setting

Everything we do is oriented toward being the best

Integrity

Honesty and fairness in all our business dealings

Inclusiveness & Collaboration

Willingness to work with all relevant parties, incorporate new ideas, and work toward consensus

Focus

Stay focused on the key objectives

Strategic

Oriented on accomplishing prioritized objectives and the efficient allocation of resources

Agility

Use non-linear thinking to seize the initiative in the face of uncertainty

OBJECTIVES

Our Scope

Geographic

  • Primary Area of Operations is within the Appalachian Highlands region
  • Innovation and Entrepreneurship has an external focus to identify and incorporate World Class ideas from across the United States (specifically) and Globally (in general)


Functional

  • Focus on our region’s key “Comparative Advantages” and how our diverse expertise has created a bedrock for entrepreneurial success.
  • Rural Population Health and Human Sciences 
  • Advanced Manufacturing
  • Entertainment and Recreation, EcoTourism
  • Logistics and Agriculture
  • Research and BioManufacturing

Strategic Objectives

  • Enhance and Improve the Regional Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
  • Create a Robust Entrepreneurial Mentorship Network
  • Access to Venture Capital for early-stage startup
  • Presence of a robust and integrated Research capability across academic, private sector and public sector.
  • Develop an active IP Commercialization capability based on regional expertise
  • Access to World Class regional tech-based Synbio Research and Manufacturing Program and Facilities
  • Create strong and sustainable Public and Private Partnerships that actively support change and innovation