Catawba Valley Community College

Catawba Valley Community College is leveraging resources for cutting edge innovation and entrepreneurship through the Manufacturing Solutions Center (MSC) in North Carolina. The core partners of MSC – Gaston College Textile Technology Center (Gaston TTC) and N.C. State’s Wilson College of Textiles (WCOT) – feature unmatched capabilities to create advanced textiles, along with world-class testing. The organization launched six incubator companies that currently employ 31 people with over $37.4 million raised in venture capital, and has built the formula to get manufacturers, public partners, universities and entrepreneurs to collaborate to create products from concept to commercialization. MSC will use its network of 400+ public and private partners to bring innovations from research labs and entrepreneurs to marketable products.

With i6 Challenge funding, the MSC will focus on advanced fibers and fabrics to work in the areas of bio-textiles, military applications, wearable textiles, industrial hemp fiber re-introduction, eco-friendly sustainable products and other advanced textile items. MSC will continue to support 50 new small businesses, as well as aid with the launch of 100 new products. The lessons learned will allow the organization to franchise this model to other areas and industries.

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