Vertx Partners

The Appalachian Investors Alliance, based in Tennessee, has been awarded $3.9 million by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). This grant aims to establish micro-venture and angel funds to support entrepreneurs and small businesses. Additionally, the funds will facilitate the launch of the Appalachian Venture Foundry, which will assist businesses in Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and West Virginia in preparing for investment opportunities. This funding is part of a broader ARC initiative to drive economic transformation in the Appalachian region. With a total of $16.9 million allocated to various projects, the initiative seeks to improve infrastructure, workforce development, and business opportunities. "This funding will enable us to continue filling gaps in the Appalachian entrepreneurial ecosystem while also expanding our work to prepare entrepreneurs for funding from professional investors, such as those within our growing network. Our team is excited to put these resources to work as we continue to make a positive difference across the Appalachian Region," said James Hart, AIA's President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chair of the Board. For more information, go to: https://buff.ly/4edUW4x Beneficial Electrification League Carnegie Mellon University Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) Save the Children US #Appalachia #Innovation #SmallBusiness

Curious how a small business transformed the future of U.S. military technology? Vertx released the third guide in its SBIR/STTR Success Stories series, spotlighting innovators like Matthew Heric, whose cutting-edge 3D imagery analysis system redefined missile deployment for the U.S. Navy. Matthew Heric, founder of the International Association of Virtual Organizations (IAVO), turned a broad data analytics approach into a game-changer for the U.S. Navy. With a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract, Heric's North Carolina-based company developed IAPioneer—a 3D imagery analysis system that revolutionizes how Tomahawk missiles are deployed, bypassing conventional GPS slowdowns. Heric credits the SBIR program for this success: “If the U.S. didn’t have the SBIR program, I don’t know where we would be tech-wise. Overall, with the economic benefit from the SBIR program and its return on investment for the U.S. government, is there a more historically successful program in the U.S.? I don’t think there is.” Explore more inspiring stories here: https://buff.ly/4doTOLD #SBIR #Innovation #MilitaryTechnology

Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing company, has successfully completed a seven-hour test flight of its hydrogen fuel cell-powered small uncrewed aircraft system (sUAS), SKIRON-XLE. This groundbreaking flight marks a significant leap in flight endurance for long-range missions. SKIRON-XLE is part of Aurora’s hybrid eVTOL SKIRON sUAS line, combining vertical takeoff and landing with fixed-wing flight. The hybrid eVTOL will be ready for customers in early 2025 and could be a game-changer in extended flight times and ease of operation. Learn more about this innovative technology: https://buff.ly/4cN21YX #eVTOL #sUAS #Innovation

In a breakthrough for the Advanced Air Mobility industry, Archer is set to revolutionize Los Angeles travel with a new air taxi network that will launch by 2026. Using electric Midnight aircraft, 1-2 hour drives will become 10-20 minute flights, with key hubs at LAX, Hollywood Burbank, Orange County, Santa Monica, Long Beach, and Van Nuys. This sustainable, fast, and quiet alternative aims to reimagine how residents commute and travel in Southern California. For more information, go to: https://buff.ly/4doMdMO #eVTOL #AAM #Innovation

The West Virginia Department of Economic Development will be exhibiting at the 2024 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) conference in Las Vegas, NV, from October 22-24. The NBAA-BACE puts the most exciting disruptors, the top experts, and the big-picture thinkers at center stage – redefining what is possible in aviation and changing the definition of on-demand air mobility. Visit Booth #649 to meet the West Virginia Department of Economic Development and representatives from the state's aviation and aerospace sectors. For more information about the event, go to: https://buff.ly/3Z3jEjG

Earlier this year, Vertx Partners released a study with Deloitte assessing West Virginia's potential to become a hub for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). The study adopts a comprehensive, three-phased approach to fully understand West Virginia's capabilities, needs, and competitive advantages in the AAM sector. Last week, we explored the insights of Phase 1. Now, we take a look at Phase 2: Analysis. The baseline established in Phase 1 was analyzed in Phase 2 through a gap analysis, AAM application prioritization, and economic impact modeling. The gap analysis benchmarked West Virginia's current state of each pillar to leading practices identified by the landscape analysis, comparing West Virginia to other states and AAM leaders. The discrepancies between West Virginia's current state and the benchmarks were categorized as gaps, pointing to opportunities for development for West Virginia to address in each pillar to position itself as an early adopter of AAM. Learn how Phase 2 was used here: https://buff.ly/3U94t5G #YesWV #AAM #Innovation

Maximize the impact of your innovative technology by leveraging government support. 🚀 The key to success lies in effectively navigating the complexities of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program regulations. Our newest guide offers a streamlined checklist of the top ten crucial points you need to remember to comply with federal requirements. Find them here: https://buff.ly/3SL9DDP #SBIR #FederalRegulations #Innovation

West Virginia has the potential to be a leader in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) through the state's existing infrastructure. So, how do you take potential and turn it into actionable steps? Dive into our recent guide to learn more about how West Virginia can help lead the national AAM plan and tap into a projected $115 billion market: https://buff.ly/3YNozoW

The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is ramping up efforts to enhance drone warfare capabilities. DIU’s updated Blue UAS List now includes more drones and accessories, focusing on modularity and quick software updates. DIU aims to cut software approval time to 96 hours to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving battlefield. A competitive refresh of the list is planned, with tactical operators providing feedback. The future of military drones is fast, flexible, and ever-evolving. Read more here: https://buff.ly/3WQ9z70

Earlier this year, Vertx Partners, in collaboration with Deloitte, released a study exploring West Virginia's potential as a hub for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). The study takes a comprehensive, three-phase approach to assess the state's capabilities, needs, and competitive advantages in the AAM sector. Phase 1: Baselining Phase 1 established a baseline by an AAM landscape assessment and a current state assessment of West Virginia. The landscape assessment included leveraging over 140 online sources and over ten AAM experts and SMEs to identify AAM players, state trends, national priorities and industry outlooks across the four key pillars. The project involved conducting over 40 interviews with West Virginian AAM stakeholders spanning government, education, academia, and industry backgrounds paired with a two-day site visit in Charleston and Mingo County. Insights from the interviews and site visits identified West Virginia’s current assets and enablers across the four pillars that could be leveraged for AAM. To see how this approach was used, check out the study here: https://buff.ly/3U94t5G #YesWV #AdvancedAirMobility #Innovation