Morgantown, W.Va. — Three small businesses received thousands of dollars in professional services from Amazon Web Services (AWS) after winning the West Virginia Small Business Development Center’s (WV SBDC) AI Pitch Competition on Monday, April 27. In addition to AWS, the WV SBDC partnered with PREDICTif Solutions/nClouds and TechConnect West Virginia for the event, which took place as part of Bridging Innovation Week 2026.
ReShore Technologies (Charleston), a platform that connects importers with West Virginia manufacturers, was awarded first place and up to $50,000 in AWS services. Second place and up to $35,000 in AWS services was awarded to Heliox Semiconductor (Charleston), a business that designs hardware and AI systems that protect physical assets from catastrophic destruction, degradation and cyber-kinetic attacks. Woodland Hills Assisted Living, a family-owned senior facility in Weirton, received up to $25,000 in AWS services for third place.
The awards can be allocated toward technical resources, architectural support and solution development delivered by PREDICTif/nClouds in collaboration with AWS (subject to program eligibility and scope).
Ten West Virginia-based small businesses were selected from more than 60 applicants to present their pitches to AWS leaders and industry experts. They included Atlas Prediction Control, Battle Buddy Bears LLC, BioImaginix, Edubio LLC, Heliox Semiconductor, Inc., Market Leader Technologies Corporation, MíMíroír Technologies, Questr Automation, Inc., ReshoreWV, and Woodland Hills Assisted Living.
“We had many innovative applicants, and each of our selected participants did a fantastic job with their respective pitches,” WV SBDC State Director Will Miller said. “We want to congratulate the winners again, and we hope that these awards will help accelerate their business growth. We appreciate everyone involved, and we thank Amazon Web Services (AWS), nClouds, Inc. and TechConnect West Virginia for their valuable partnership and support of West Virginia small businesses.
About the West Virginia Small Business Development Center
The West Virginia Small Business Development Center, an accredited partner program with the U.S. Small Business Administration and a division of the West Virginia Division of Economic Development, helps small businesses at all stages of development by connecting entrepreneurs to coaching, training, and resources.
WV SBDC business coaches hold professional certifications, including Certified Business Advisor® (CBA) and Entrepreneurship Development Professional (EDP), and hold MBAs, with expertise in design thinking, AI, cybersecurity, exporting, technology, innovation, manufacturing, finance, management, HR, and marketing.
This program is supported by federal funding. Full disclosures available at wvsbdc.com/fundingdisclosure.
For more information about the WV SBDC and its services, visit wvsbdc.com.