Challenge: In 1998, IRC began as a one-person company located in the Alan B. Mollohan Innovation Center, a small business incubation center today called the Innovator. The Innovator is a key component of the WVHTC Foundation, featuring prime technology office and laboratory space along with small business assistance programs and incubator services. "There was no better environment for a startup IT company than the WVHTC Foundation incubation center," said Bob Wentz, president of IRC.

Solution: IRC's immediate exposure to this high technology sector provided unlimited opportunities for growth from guidance and partnership through the Foundation and its nearly 200 affiliate companies. "In my opinion, the Innovator is a road map to success," explained Wentz. IRC graduated from the three-year incubation program in only two years and continued its presence by acquiring office space in the Alan B. Mollohan Innovation Center.

Impact: Since its inception in 1998, IRC has grown to employ more than 20 talented individuals with offices in Glenville and Fairmont, W.Va., and is currently providing IT services to the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Justice and NASA.