Local Ingenuity featured at the capitol

2/4/2016

By CART, Inc.

Bluefield, W.Va. - The Center for Applied Research and Technology (CART) presented several of its product prototypes to legislators and industry leaders during the recent "Innovation and Entrepreneurship Day" at the Capitol.

The Bluefield-based technology company provided a diverse sampling of its prototyping capabilities including two autonomous vehicles developed for the DARPA Grand Challenge and an RFID-blocking card designed to protect credit card information. "Many of our projects result in first-generation prototypes," said CART CEO Bruce Mutter. "We tailor our services toward new business development for the client."

CART provides applied research, design concepts, engineering models, robotics, sensors, digital manufacturing, rapid prototype development, initial production, marketing support, and direct technical assistance that technology-based business start-ups need to launch a new product into the marketplace.

Recently CART partnered with TechConnectWV’s ScaleUp West Virginia initiative to provide Design for Manufacturing to Entrepreneurs within the state of WV. ScaleUp West Virginia is a two-year suite of programs designed to accelerate the states’ capacity to diversify its economy in a 40-county region of West Virginia.

Anne Barth, executive director of TechConnectWV, said, “The EDA funding will support programs designed to accelerate the commercialization of new products and technologies, leading to the creation and expansion of small businesses and jobs.

Governor Earl Ray Tomblin sets aside a day each year as "Innovation and Entrepreneurship Day at the Capitol." Organized and supported by TechConnectWV and TransTech Business, the event showcases West Virginia's technology industries in the Capitol Rotunda, where innovators, entrepreneurs and legislators can discuss the state's achievements and challenges in growing its innovation economy.

Pictured: Senate President Bill Cole and Senator Mark Maynard make time during the day to meet with representatives of CART, Inc., Heather Williams and Deborah Griffith

Pictured: L to R - John Maher, Executive Committee Chair, TechConnectWV, Deb Grifffith, CART, Inc., Heather Williams, CART, Inc., Anne Barth, Executive Director, TechConnectWV

Pictured: CART, Inc. at the WV State Capitol