2022 marked exponential growth for Vertx Partners. Looking ahead into 2023 promises still more opportunities on the horizon.
Launched in October of 2021, Vertx Partners achieved tremendous progress in 2022 toward its goal of weaving a network of innovation throughout Appalachia. Rooted in West Virginia, Vertx has forged alliances with a number of high-profile clients, such as Acoustic Research Systems (ARS), AmeriCarbon, Trilogy Innovations, and more. Members of Vertx’s executive team – including President Sean Frisbee, VP of External Relations Scott Rotruck, and VP of Operations Mary Cook – continued their crucial work in the establishment of the WV Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Advisory Council through the West Virginia state legislature.
Sean Frisbee founded Vertx Partners based on an initiative by the Academic Partnership Engagement Experiment (APEX). With its 2022 successes on the table, APEX approved Vertx for additional funding, guaranteeing ongoing, cost-free service to clientele. In 2023, Vertx will double down on its commitment to foster partnership, identify funding opportunities, and consult with its partners.
2023 Expansions
As the New Year begins, Vertx Partners is excited to expand its operations further across Appalachia, from the southern region of New York State to the Tennessee Valley. With Vertx maintaining offices in Morgantown and Charleston, West Virginia as well as Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the company has truly evolved into a pan-Appalachian unifier – with prospects beyond, as well!
Vertx Partners recently inducted several new associates, including Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) expert Jeff Grusy, aerospace technologies specialist Randy Hefner, and Tennessee liaison Chris Ford. Each of these fresh additions brings a wealth of expertise in their respective fields. They will aid Vertx in serving its individual cohorts’ interests, enhancing both the success of Vertx and its partners.
Vertx & Its Partners
In March 2023, representatives from Vertx will attend the Air Force Association’s Warfare Symposium to learn about and report on the latest in Air/Space Force innovation. With space in mind, Vertx is also placing emphasis on marshaling together a greater presence of space-related efforts in WV.
One of Vertx’s partners, Acoustic Research Systems, has seen great success domestically and abroad with its NEUTRON Sound System. This innovation has proven attractive to other country’s space agencies as well as our own. Jeremiah Leiter, CEO and co-founder of ARS, was recently appointed to the board of the Keystone Space Collaborative, a non-profit dedicated to serving and growing the space industry in the Tri-State area of WV, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.
Developing these relationships enables Vertx to stay at the forefront of innovation in Appalachia and best serve our growing clientele.
Advanced Air Mobility, Vertx, and West Virginia
On the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) front, Vertx is working closely with Mingo County, WV, and its KEBD airport near the Kentucky border on an AAM project that emphasizes technology transition. Southern West Virginia – and West Virginia more broadly – offers an ideal location for advancements in AAM due to its variable terrain and climate, low population density, and low cost of operation.
Lastly, Vertx leadership is pulling together a group of AAM contributors in the state of West Virginia. Tentatively named the WV Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Collaborative, this group caucuses and gauges interest in the region early on. This organization is open to any public, private, academic, or non-profit stakeholder interested in joining.
Interested in membership with the WV UAS Collaborative or in getting in touch with Vertx? We encourage potential partners to reach out on our ‘Contact’ page. As we move into the New Year together, Vertx remains committed to serving West Virginia, Appalachia, innovators, and you. Get in touch with a member of the Vertx team today. Doing so means joining a growing movement of like-minded innovators working to build a better future in Appalachia and beyond.
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