CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC), a division of the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, has named Mary Hott as the new Innovation-Technology program coordinator.

The WV SBDC In-Tech program focuses on small technology-driven businesses in West Virginia. It helps enterprises to develop strategies and reduce risks around the commercialization of new products, services and processes. In-Tech also provides support in areas such as prototype development, product evaluation, business planning and applications to Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR).

The federal SBIR/STTR programs are among the largest sources of early stage capital for technology commercialization, and WV SBDC In-Tech assists West Virginia companies with applying for SBIR/STTR state matching funds through the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Investment Fund.

“Mary understands commerce and technology from multiple sides, as an entrepreneur herself and as a knowledgeable guide leading others to success. She served West Virginia’s small business community as a business coach for many years and we are excited to see her transition into this important role,” said WV SBDC Director Debra Martin.

A native of Morgan County, West Virginia, Hott earned her Master of Science in Information Systems from the Northeastern University Graduate School of Engineering in Boston, a Bachelor of Arts from the New School for Social Research in New York City, and a marketing certification from Harvard University Extension School. She is also a Certified Business Advisor (CBA®), certified through Kent State University.

Before joining WV SBDC in 2015 as a business coach, Hott spent more than 20 years in Boston’s high-tech business community, first as a software engineer then transitioning into product management and business development. She returned to West Virginia in 2006 and ran the non-profit Morgan Arts Council for six years as its executive director. Hott has twice launched and grown her own businesses: first a consulting software company in New England and, in her home state of West Virginia, a music production company.

To learn more about the West Virginia Small Business Development Center and resources for small businesses and entrepreneurs, visit WVsbdc.com.