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Bio-plastic startup wins Lighthouse Labs pitch contest
While pitching to the sharks, entrepreneur Alec Brewer told them, “I do have white powder in my pocket,” before quickly clarifying that it wasn’t an illicit substance: “It’s PHB! It’s PHB!” Brewer passed the vial over for the sharks’ inspection during his Lighthouse Labs Demo Day pitch Thursday for his company, Ourobio, of which he […]
ODU’s Strome Center to host tech entrepreneur weekend
Old Dominion University’s Strome Entrepreneurial Center will hold its 3 Day Startup weekend entrepreneurship program, where participants develop and pitch a product, from Feb. 4 to Feb. 6. ODU previously held the program in 2018, 2019 and 2021. This year’s event is focused on technology solutions. Attendees form groups on Friday afternoon and begin to […]
Startup Virginia to host Idea Factory workshop
Richmond-based nonprofit business incubator Startup Virginia is hosting its fifth Idea Factory — a six-week, largely virtual program to help aspiring entrepreneurs test, improve and validate their business ideas — from Feb. 28 to April 4. The program focuses on technology-driven or manufacturing-based business ideas and starts with an onboarding meeting before moving into five […]
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 […]
