OurView: What’s fueling your startup dream?
Explore Virginia’s startup scene, from AI to VC deals, in the third annual edition of StartVirginia. Insights and inspiration for your next big idea!
Ecosystem insights: entrepreneurial leaders talk challenges, success
Leaders from across Virginia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem discuss investing in new companies, challenges facing startups and steps to success.
Franchising offers entry point for Virginia entrepreneurs
Franchising surges in Virginia as entrepreneurs tap proven business models across several industries in 2025.
Incubators help entrepreneurs determine viability
Incubators in Virginia help entrepreneurs test ideas, gather customer feedback and build viable businesses before launch.
Summit for entrepreneurs planned for Danville
Two South Boston-based economic development organizations will host a summit for entrepreneurs and business leaders Oct. 19 at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research in Danville. Launched by the SOVA Innovation Hub, a nonprofit working to drive economic transformation with digital skills and entrepreneurship, and RISE Collaborative, a regional initiative driven by a mission […]
EY taps 14 Virginians as Mid-Atlantic Entrepreneur of the Year finalists
Fourteen Virginia business leaders are among the 30 finalists for Ernst & Young’s 2024 Mid-Atlantic Entrepreneur of the Year award. EY announced the finalists, selected by a panel of independent judges, on April 22. The Big Four professional services company will name the regional awards winners on June 15. The Virginia finalists include: Anil Sharma, […]
‘Shark Tank’ casting call is coming to Va.
Virginia entrepreneurs, “the sharks” are coming for you. The casting team of ABC’s “Shark Tank” will hold its first-ever casting call in Virginia at Rivers Casino Portsmouth on April 12. The show is getting ready to film its 16th season with venture capitalists Barbara Corcoran, Mark Cuban, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, Daymond John and Kevin […]
Startup resources
Entrepreneurship continues to grow across Hampton Roads, with many organizations dedicated to helping startups and small businesses expand and thrive. Here is a sample of the many resources available: 504 Capital 504capital.com 757 Accelerate 757accelerate.org 757 Angels 757angels.org 757 Startup Studios 757startupstudios.org 757 Makerspace 757makerspace.com Black BRAND blackbrand.biz Business Dev[...]
VIPC leader to step down
Virginia Innovation Partnership Corp. President and CEO Robert “Bob” Stolle will step down from his role in September after 13 years with the not-for-profit state corporation and its predecessor. Stolle became CEO of VIPC’s predecessor, the Center for Innovative Technology, in 2020. Before that, he was the economic development organization’s senior vice president for operations. [&[...]
EY taps seven Va. biz leaders as mid-Atlantic entrepreneurs of year
Seven Virginia business leaders have been named winners of Ernst & Young LLP’s Mid-Atlantic Entrepreneur of the Year Award for 2023. The winners, named Friday by the Big Four multinational professional services company, include: Aptive Resources | Rachele Cooper, founder and CEO, Alexandria Cuisine Solutions Inc. | Felipe Hasselmann, CEO and president, Sterling Foster Fuels […]
Lynchburg center to lift entrepreneurs
Months before its opening in late summer or early fall, Lynchburg’s new Center for Entrepreneurship already has gathered about 15 applications from local business owners and professionals seeking to mentor those launching or looking to grow their own companies. That’s a positive sign, says Stephanie Keener, executive director of the Lynchburg region’s Small Business Development [[...]
StartVirginia: May 2023 Heard around Virginia
Richmond-based Babylon Micro-Farms Inc. raised $8 million in a series A funding round led by VentureSouth, the company announced April 4. The money will help expand go-to-market efforts and grow the company’s client base in the U.S. and beyond. Founded in 2017, Babylon enables businesses and communities to grow produce, and its software remotely manages […]