Sign In
Free Newsletter
JMU student and alumni entrepreneurs get boost from program
The James Madison University Bluestone Seed Fund announced Monday that it would provide three startup companies with $5,000 each in its inaugural investment cycle. The Gilliam Center for Entrepreneurship manages the donor-backed fund. The three chosen startups are Gewd Botanicals, Handicans and Tow Ninja. Malique Middleton, a 2021 graduate, founded Gewd Botanicals, a shop that […]
Arlington supply chain tech company joins unicorn club
Following its $100 million Series C financing round, Arlington-based supply chain management technology company Interos Inc. has been valued at $1 billion, reaching coveted unicorn status. Led by CEO Jennifer Bisceglie, Interos is one of 74 female-led unicorns, according to Crunchbase. Worldwide, there are more than 770 unicorn companies. Interos’ cloud platform uses artificial intelligence [...]
Roanoke, New River Valley organizations form tech alliance
The Valleys Innovation Council (VIC), the Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council (RBTC) and the Regional Accelerator and Mentoring Program (RAMP) have formed an alliance called Verge. In July 2020, the three groups announced they were developing the alliance, which is aimed at supporting the region’s technologists, innovators and entrepreneurs. VIC focuses on research commercialization and [...]
Startup PPE manufacturer settles in Harrisonburg
Startup manufacturing company Valley Guard Supply LLC will invest $1 million to establish a personal protective equipment manufacturing facility in Harrisonburg, creating 45 jobs, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Wednesday. The service-disabled, veteran-owned company produces three-ply disposable masks and plans to produce other safety and security gear, according to Northam’s statement. “Dome[...]
Four community banks launch $1M minority business fund
The Bank of Clarke County announced Tuesday the launch of the Banking on Diversity initiative, a minority business funding program backed by Bank of Clarke County, BCT-Bank of Charles Town, The Fauquier Bank and First Bank. The four community banks have collectively committed up to $1 million in interest-free loans to help startup and existing […]
Norfolk shipping, logistics company to create 400 jobs through $36M expansion
Shipping and logistics company CMA CGM Group will keep its North American headquarters in Norfolk and invest $36 million to expand its Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia operations, creating more than 400 jobs, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday. The French company opened its first Virginia office in 2002 in Virginia Beach and in 2005 moved […]
Capital One CFO to leave in March 2021
McLean-based Capital One Financial Corp. Chief Financial Officer R. Scott Blackley will step down in March 2021 to hold the same position with New York City-based health insurance startup Oscar Health Insurance Corp., the company announced last week. Capital One is the largest bank in Virginia, according to 2019 deposits. Senior vice president and business […]
Arlington space tech startup receives additional CIT funding
The Herndon-based Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) announced Tuesday that Arlington-based space technology startup NOVI LLC has received a follow-on investment from the state government-backed venture fund CIT GAP Funds. An investment amount was not disclosed. CIT seed- and early-stage investments are made to Virginia-based technology, life sciences and clean tech companies that the center [[...]
2020 RAMP cohort chosen
Roanoke-based business accelerator RAMP — the Regional Acceleration and Mentoring Program — announced the selection of six high-growth startups as part of its fourth round of training. The companies are taking part in workshops that test the viability and marketability of their products before they enter a larger market. RAMP is focused on companies in […]
Health accelerator program coming to Richmond
Richmond-based seed-stage accelerator Lighthouse Labs is partnering with the Health Innovation Consortium (HIC) to start a health-focused startup accelerator program in Virginia, the groups announced Thursday. Virginia Commonwealth University, VCU Health and Richmond-based nonprofit Activation Capital created HIC, which launched in January 2019 to bring health care ideas to the market. “Health[...]
First Loudoun Innovation Challenge winners announced
The Loudoun Economic Development Authority (EDA) on Monday announced the four winners of its first Loudoun Innovation Challenge, which awarded $150,000 in total grants to innovative startups based in the county or committing to locate an office or jobs there. Launched in January, the challenge received 71 applications from projects in varying stages of development. […]
