Bill Woodrum, senior program officer at the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, delivered keynote remarks and Judy Moore, executive director of the WV Hive and deputy director of the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority, presented awards to 12 entrepreneurs and partners during the annual West Virginia Hive Open House and Awards Ceremony on Dec. 13.
Manuel Furmento, a civil engineering student from Uruguay, was awarded for his invention of the SkyMounts television stand and securing a provisional patent for his idea.
He assembled a team, including his brother, and went to work laying the foundation for a working prototype and a company to sell the product.
“Entrepreneurship and small business development are the lifeblood of our communities,” Woodrum said. “The WV Hive plays a critical role in fostering innovation, providing support and empowering individuals to pursue their dreams. The entrepreneurs and partners recognized today exemplify the resilience and ingenuity that drive economic progress in West Virginia.”