West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust + SBIR Match

West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust + SBIR Match

Supports West Virginia small enterprises with Jobs Investment Trust and innovation matching resources.

Eligibility · United States · US-WV

The West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust (JIT) is a public venture capital fund established by the West Virginia Legislature in 1992 under W. Va. Code §12-7-1 et seq. Its statutory mandate is to develop, promote, and expand West Virginia's economy by making investment funds available to eligible businesses, stimulating economic growth, and creating or retaining jobs within the state. JIT invests in early-stage, later-stage, and mature small companies seeking to expand, with a particular preference for opportunities that create significant job numbers, contribute to economic diversification, and maintain economic balance. The fund explicitly does not make grants or low-interest loans; its primary instrument is equity or convertible minority investment, and it expects financial returns proportionate to investment risk.

JIT is typically a minority investor and is not involved in day-to-day operations. It engages portfolio companies at the board level and may assist with corporate strategy, management recruitment, and arranging additional capital infusions. Recent investments (FY2025) include companies such as AmeriCarbon Enterprises, Endolumik, EcoC2 Industries, Fides Food Service Solutions, Performance Ally, and Modulation Therapeutics, spanning sectors from materials and medical devices to food safety technology. The fund publishes annual reports and board minutes on wvjit.wv.gov, with the most recent annual report covering the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.

JIT also administers WVCAP, the West Virginia Capital Access Program, a parallel initiative funded through the US Treasury's State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) in partnership with the WV Economic Development Authority. WVCAP provides four instruments: a Seed Capital Co-Investment Fund (equity), Subordinated Debt, Collateral Support for bank loans, and Technical Assistance delivered through partner CDFIs. WVCAP is designed for businesses that are creditworthy but may not fit traditional lending models. Applications for WVCAP are submitted online through the JIT/WVEDA portal.