| Charleston, W.Va. – WV Secretary of State Kris Warner announced today that the WV Office of Entrepreneurship (WVOE) will begin operations tomorrow, July 1. The WVOE is the nation’s first state-level entrepreneurship office to operate under the direct oversight of a statewide elected official. “This office will empower entrepreneurs and bolster entrepreneurship across West Virginia,” said Secretary of State Kris Warner.” The mission of the WVOE is to connect entrepreneurs with the right resources, help them navigate red tape, and foster a stronger, more vibrant ecosystem for startups and small businesses throughout our state.” Created by Senate Bill 878, which was passed by the Legislature and signed into law by the governor earlier this year, the WVOE is charged with performing the following core functions:Serve as a statewide entrepreneurship ombudsman by providing guidance to founders during the early stages of business formation. Provide prompt referrals to relevant state agencies and partner organizations. Identify systemic barriers within business formation and regulatory processes, working in collaboration with agencies to implement solutions without duplicating existing services. Coordinate with statewide partners to ensure efficient service delivery and eliminate unnecessary redundancy. |
| This new office builds upon established collaborations between the WV Secretary of State’s Office and key stakeholders across the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, including the WV Entrepreneurship Ecosystem, the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, the WV Small Business Development Center, West Virginia’s agencies, colleges and universities, and the national Right to Start organization. |
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| WV Secretary of State Kris Warner and WVOE Coordinator Lesli TaylorSecretary Warner along with WVSOS Business Division Director Sarah Carey, also announced that Kanawha County resident Lesli Taylor has been selected to serve as Coordinator of the West Virginia Office of Entrepreneurship. Taylor, who comes from a long line of entrepreneurs and got her start working in her family’s local hardware store, brings nearly a decade of experience in research, economic and community development, quality improvement, program evaluation, and organizational strategy. Most recently, she served as Assistant Director of Research and Evaluation for WV GEAR UP at the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, a position she’s held since 2023. “Throughout her career, Lesli has demonstrated a proven ability to bridge the gap between data and policy, transforming research and stakeholder feedback into practical recommendations that improve programs, strengthen partnerships, and drive measurable results,” said Carey. Secretary Warner said that Taylor will work out of the State Capitol office and the WV One Stop Business Center in Charleston. For more information on the WV Secretary of State’s Office, click here. |
