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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 [[...]
Commentary: Compete to win through innovation
Innovation and startups are key elements of a vibrant and healthy economy. Startups are responsible for most of the significant technological breakthroughs in recent years, and these new businesses create jobs, drive market competition and lead to a higher standard of living. Virginia has helped launch many great innovation success stories in key industries, including […]
The stuff of dreams
Whether it’s aiming to solve a problem, build a better mousetrap or simply make a better life for themselves and their families, entrepreneurs start their businesses with a dream. And it’s in recognition of these visionary innovators that Virginia Business is pleased to debut StartVirginia, a new annual publication devoted to startups and the entrepreneurial […]
The elevator pitch
Virginia’s startup scene is rich with new businesses as diverse as the regions of the commonwealth. Virginia Business asked startups to send us their best pitches for what makes their businesses innovative, and we’ve spotlighted some of our favorites below. BABYLON MICRO-FARMS Richmond CEO: Alexander Olesen Founded: 2017 Capital raised: $15 million Employees: 35 About […]
Ecosystem insights
Leaders from across Virginia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem discuss investing in new companies, challenges facing startups and advice for success. KAREN BOOTH ADAMS CEO, Hot Technology Holdings LLC Richmond What do you look for when you’re investing in a startup? The most important thing I look for when investing in a startup is the tenacity, drive, intelligence […]
Alexandria’s QED Investors raises $925M for two new funds
Alexandria-based fintech venture capital firm QED Investors raised $925 million for two new funds, QED announced Tuesday. The funding comes from two capital commitments: a $650 million oversubscribed early stage fund and a $275 million early growth stage fund, according to a news release from QED, a key investor in San Francisco-based personal finance company […]
757 Collab announces promotions
After announcing a new managing director in April, 757 Collab announced more leadership changes and promotions to its umbrella organization May 3. Hunter Walsh, previously a program manager for 757 Startup Studios, a coworking space in Norfolk where selected entrepreneurs can set up offices at no cost and receive mentoring, became its director on May […]
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 […]
CarLotz, Need Supply founders launch schools startup
For about a decade after meeting at a business function, Michael Bor and Chris Bossola met for lunch periodically, swapping stories about their shared experiences in launching and scaling companies. Their conversations eventually landed on what they say could transform funding for public schools nationwide. The two have plenty of entrepreneurial experience. Bossola founded Richmond-based […[...]
Lighthouse Labs names new managing director
Art Espey will be the new managing director of Richmond-based Lighthouse Labs, beginning April 17, replacing Paul Nolde, who is leaving to lead 757 Collab and 757 Angels in Hampton Roads. Lighthouse Labs, launched in 2012, is an equity-free, early-stage startup accelerator. Espey previously served as vice chair of Lighthouse Labs’ board of directors from […]
