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Bluefield’s Bold Border Plan: How a Cross-State Initiative Aims to Build a New Economic Hub

Straddling the spine of the Appalachian Mountains, the cities of Bluefield, Virginia, and Bluefield, West Virginia, present a unique American paradox: one community with one name, split by a state line. For decades, this division has created invisible economic walls. Now, a joint initiative aims to tear them down, framing a bold[...]

Startup Virginia plans program, Henrico expansions

Richmond-based high-growth business incubator Startup Virginia (SVA) has been helping regional founders start and grow their companies since 2016. Now, the nonprofit is expanding in multiple ways to help even more founders. This growth is enabled by a $1.47 million grant from GO Virginia and a $3.75 million renovation investment[...]

HEARD AROUND VIRGINIA: February 2026

AxioSight, a spinout of Herndon government contractor BTI360, emerged from stealth in December 2025 with a technology that had already helped law firms win favorable rulings in court. The company is beginning to introduce its artificial intelligence platform to commercial customers after years of development for the U.S. intelli[...]

Arlington defense tech firm reaches unicorn status

Govini, an Arlington County defense tech contractor, has joined the unicorn ranks with a $1.25 billion valuation.

Northern Virginia AI startups raise millions

This summer, investors poured money into Northern Virginia-based AI startups offering solutions for data centers, the military and bias in AI. In July, Emerald AI — incorporated in Washington, D.C., but with primary offices in Clarendon — launched with $24.5 million in seed funding, and Rosslyn-based Rune Technologies raised[...]

Electra expands Manassas headquarters

Manassas-based aviation startup Electra.aero on Tuesday announced it was expanding its headquarters in Virginia.

Arlington drone software firm raises $130M in Series B funding

Auterion, an Arlington-based provider of drone software, announced it has raised $130 million in a Series B funding round.

Zephyr AI taps new CEO

McLean-based health care tech startup Zephyr AI announced last week that it has appointed Allen Chao as its new CEO.

Activation Capital taps new CEO

Richmond tech incubator and accelerator Activation Capital announced Tuesday that it has appointed Michael Steele as president and CEO.

Hampton Roads health care accelerator launches

A new health care accelerator supporting 24 small and growing health care-related businesses in the Hampton Roads area wraps up its 12-week program in August. Developed by nonprofit coworking space Bloom as a program of the Portsmouth Partnership, the Bloom Healthcare Accelerator is helping local entrepreneurs build relationship[...]

Manassas aviation startup lands $115 million round

Demand has taken off for Manassas-based aviation startup Electra.aero’s electric short takeoff and landing aircraft, the EL9 Ultra Short, with more than 2,200 preorders totaling more than $10 billion. Now, with $115 million raised in a Series B funding round that closed in April, the company plans to move from prototype to[...]

AI startup boom ‘here to stay’ in Virginia

Virginia’s AI startups are seeing record funding and expansion across biotech, cybersecurity, SaaS and more, driving tech innovation across the state.