Apex Systems co-founder gives $500,000 to Va. Tech

Virginia Tech’s Apex Center for Entrepreneurs has received a $500,000 donation from Apex Systems co-founder Win Sheridan.

A 1994 Tech graduate with bachelor’s degrees in political science and English with a minor in business administration, Sheridan made the donation to help the Apex Center engage with student entrepreneurs through programing, networking and funding, according to a news release. Launched in 2014, the Apex Center is named in recognition of a $5 million commitment from Sheridan and fellow Virginia Tech alumni and Apex co-founders Brian Callaghan, Ted Hanson and Jeff Veatch. Based in Glen Allen, Apex Systems is a subsidiary of Henrico County Fortune 1000 information technology company ASGN Inc., which acquired Apex in 2012.

The Apex Center is housed in Tech’s Pamplin College of Business. More than 2,000 students participated in educational programming and events during the 2021-22 academic year, and 530 of those students, representing 112 majors, participated in experiential learning opportunities hosted by the center. During that same year, more than $21,000 in grants and cash prizes were awarded to 49 student-led startup teams to build and launch new products and services.

Glen Allen-based Apex Systems LLC was founded in 1995. Sheridan is now a director of its parent company, ASGN Inc., and together it and Apex form one of the nation’s largest IT staffing services. Sheridan was recognized as Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year in 2003. He sits on boards of several nonprofit organizations, including PeacePlayers International, and is a partner in Alexandria Restaurant Partners, which owns, operates and or manages nine restaurants in Florida and Northern Virginia.

“Win Sheridan is a tremendous leader and from the start has been deeply engaged in our mission of inspiring and empowering Virginia Tech students to turn their passion, purpose, and ideas into action,” Derick Maggard, executive director of the Apex Center, said in a statement. “There is extraordinary demand for our programs, and Win’s commitment will help supercharge our ability to provide students with transformative experiential education and growth opportunities.”

Sheridan’s gift will also facilitate more mentorships for students and will offer more more opportunities to to meet with potential investors outside of Blacksburg and attend national pitch competitions.

“Across every industry, entrepreneurship is a force multiplier for good,” Sheridan said. “ Supporting the Apex Center is a philanthropic investment in the next generation of entrepreneurs — and their potential to impact positive change within their networks, local communities, and on a global scale. It’s my hope this gift will inspire fellow entrepreneurs to rally behind this dynamic center so that future Hokie entrepreneurs can take advantage of top-notch programs and build meaningful connections to propel their ventures.”

Sheridan donated $1 million to Inova Health System last year to endow the directorship of the Inova Molecular Tumor Board at Inova Schar Cancer Institute.