Accelerate Appalachia:

A Thriving Hub for Rural Innovation

With a strong, sustainable economic foundation and the horsepower of a world-class university, the region actively seeds, nurtures, and grows startup development, venture investment, and the commercialization of research and intellectual property. At the center of this ecosystem, Accelerate Appalachia serves as the entrepreneurial hub—driving world-class innovation in a rural setting. We promote, coordinate, and support existing organizations while building new programs designed to help founders scale and succeed.

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

We strive for excellence in everything we do, no matter our location.

Integrity

We act with honesty, fairness, and accountability in every decision.

Collaboration

We work together to build better solutions.

Focus

We stay aligned on what matters most.

Strategic

We prioritize impact and allocate resources with intent and discipline.

Agility

We adapt quickly, think creatively, and embrace change as opportunity.

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
  • 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