Funding Pathways + connections for Virginia’s innovation-driven startups This October, VIPC Funding Pathways is coming to Charlottesville and Richmond in partnership with organizations supporting founders and strengthening their local startup communities. Who should attend: Early-stage science, technology, and innovation-focused companies preparing for future funding opportunities. What we’ll cover: Launch Grant (applications open October 1), plus the Launch Convertible Note, Lab to Launch, and Federal Funding Assistance Program (FFAP/SBIR). Come for the workshop. Stay for the connections. Each workshop is paired with a local networking event, giving founders the chance to continue the conversation and connect with entrepreneurs and ecosystem partners in their region. 📍 Charlottesville | Tuesday, October 13 VIPC Funding Pathways Workshop - 3:00 PM | CVSBDC Training Room Register: bit.ly/46y9MkN Networking: CBIC Innovation Mixer - 5:00 PM | Omni Charlottesville 📍 Richmond | Wednesday, October 21 Funding Pathways Workshop - 2:30 PM | Startup Virginia Rooftop Register: bit.ly/4rm4fal Networking: SVA Social - 4:00 PM | Startup Virginia #VirginiaStartups #StartupFunding #SBIR #Charlottesville #RVA

VIPC was proud to sponsor the third annual Startup World Cup Virginia Regional, hosted by Innovate Hampton Roads in Virginia Beach — bringing together and showcasing some of the Commonwealth's most exciting startups who pitched for a shot to advance to a global stage and compete against startups from around the world. Thank you to VVC Managing Partner Derren Burrell, IDEA Fund Partners investor Juan Carlos Pacheco, and Virginia Venture Partners' Marco Rubin for serving as judges and lending their expertise to this year's competition. Hardshell took the win after standing out among stiff competition from fellow Virginia companies — a testament to the depth of talent and innovation across the Commonwealth's startup ecosystem. VIPC is proud to help fuel Virginia's startup ecosystem and support founders as they take their ideas to the global stage. #StateoInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives #VIPC #StartupWorldCup #Founder

Thank you Senator @CreighDeeds and Delegate @LauferFor55 for joining VIPC in celebrating collaboration, entrepreneurship, and innovation across the Charlottesville ecosystem. VIPC brought together startup founders, community organizations, industry investors, university leaders, and government officials to highlight the people, ideas, and partnerships driving opportunity and impact. It was inspiring to hear firsthand from some of Charlottesville’s talented entrepreneurs who are building innovative solutions – ranging from early cancer detection to securing critical minerals to supporting small businesses and supply chains – that not only grow our economy but strengthen local communities and improve people’s lives. Shout-out to founders at Avant Genomics, Poppy, PS Fertility, MicroCatalyst, and Icarus Medical who wowed the room. And thank you to the amazing ecosystem builders at Venture Central, 434 Accelerator, @CvilleBioHub, @cbicouncil, @cvilleangels, CAV Angels, @TomTomFest, @UVA and all our partners across the Commonwealth. VIPC is honored to help make Virginia the best place to launch, build, grow, and thrive! #StateoInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives #VIPC

100KM Ventures continues to shine! Managing Partner Shalanda Armstrong has been named the 2026 DC Dealmaker of the Year by the Smart Business D.C. Region Dealmakers Conference — the only venture capital firm recognized with this honor. The conference brings together hundreds of entrepreneurs, investors, and advisors for a day of dynamic content and meaningful networking. Congratulations to Shalanda and the outstanding 100KM Ventures team, including Kahlil Bilal and Sherilyn Williams Casiano, on this well‑deserved recognition! #StateoInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives

Virginia’s shipyards continue to innovate! Virginia Venture Partners is proud to invest in Portsmouth-based @radianforge along with @VenturesVeteran. Radian Forge is accelerating fleet readiness with large format Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing. Thanks to Jeff Yeager and his team, critical parts can now be produced in just weeks — not months — right in Portsmouth, VA. It’s a powerful example of how Virginia leads the nation in advanced manufacturing while championing the veteran founders who are driving this innovation forward. #StateoInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives #DefenseTech #Shipbuilding #VeteranOwned

Coffee with VVP: Inclusive Investing in Action — A Fireside with Zeal Capital Partners Zeal Capital Partners has deployed $186M+ across fintech, healthcare, and future-of-work startups, built on a thesis that category-leading founders exist far beyond the traditional VC hubs. Join us for a fireside chat with Royce Shey of Zeal as we unpack how the firm underwrites "Inclusive Investing," what actually gets a company to yes when you're not chasing the loudest deal flow, and what Mid-Atlantic founders in fintech, health, or future-of-work should know before they pitch. Click here to RSVP: bit.ly/4yxdxCO There will be an opportunity for breakout sessions to dive deeper into VIPC's funding opportunities and to ask questions following the presentation. #StateoInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives #StartupFunding #VVP #VIPC

Be in the room where Virginia’s next big success stories take the stage! Virginia Cup takes over the Sandler Center on September 17. Ten companies. $50,000 Presented by VIPC. One Virginia Cup Champion. A path to the $1,000,000 Startup World Cup in San Francisco. And you get a vote. Network with investors, executives, and builders from across the state — then watch the pitches live. Pre-party 3–5 PM at The Hive where Neptune SHIELD will be holding their SEAL Tank Veterans Pitch. Main event: 5:00–8:00 PM at Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia Beach Reserve tickets: bit.ly/3UVeoPh or bit.ly/vacup #StateoInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives

Congrats to Virginia’s @theStartupVA, @DEIC_VA, Lighthouse Network, and 757 Collab for ranking among America’s Best Incubators and Accelerators of 2026 by TIME. VIPC is proud to fund and collaborate with each of these impressive organizations — along with a number of other phenomenal incubator/accelerator partners across the Commonwealth — to provide founders and entrepreneurs in Virginia with access and connection to the resources, expertise, and networks they need to launch, build, and grow. Virginia is for Founders! #StateOfInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives #VirginiaIsForEntrepreneurs #Startup #Entrepreneurship #Founder

Virginia ranked #5 nationally for highest number of companies on the 2026 @Inc 5000 List of America's Fastest-Growing Private Companies. Congrats to the 247 Virginia companies that made this year's list and collectively generate $37B in revenue and over 51,000 jobs! This year's list includes several VIPC-supported startup companies including @BrandefyA, @poppyflowers, @marginedge, @TryHungry, @cargosense, and @IDme! #StateOfInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives #VirginiaIsForEntrepreneurs #Startup #Entrepreneurship #Founder

VIPC’s Jennifer Hiltwine and Rob Brooke recently met with postdoctoral researchers from @virginia_tech and @UVA to share insights on VIPC programs and early‑stage funding opportunities. The 2‑day event focused on helping postdocs navigate funding pathways and explore career opportunities both during and beyond their postdoc years. It was energizing to see strong interest in Lab-to-Launch, HE POC, and SBIR/STTR, key programs designed to help innovators move their research toward real-world impact. We’re excited to support the next generation of Virginia’s technology and research leaders! #StateoInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives #VIPC

Join VIPC at the 2026 RISE Summit for Entrepreneurs and Innovators on Thursday, August 27, in Danville! Chuck Kirby of VIPC will present VIPC Funding Pathways, an overview of the funding programs, resources, and support available through VIPC to help Virginia’s early-stage science and technology companies move their innovations forward. Whether you are developing a new technology, exploring funding opportunities, or looking for resources to help grow your company, this session will provide a helpful introduction to the ways VIPC supports innovation-driven entrepreneurs across the Commonwealth. The exact session time will be announced soon, so be sure to watch for the final Summit agenda. Learn more and register: sovarise.com/rise-summit-202… #VIPC #RISESummit #VirginiaInnovation #Entrepreneurship #StartupFunding #TechnologyStartup

Ten Virginia startups. One stage. A room full of opportunity. On Thursday, September 17, ten startups from across the Commonwealth will take the stage at the Sandler Center in Virginia Beach for the Virginia Cup, the Official Startup World Cup Virginia Qualifier. One will advance for the opportunity to compete for a $1 million investment prize. Don’t miss your chance to be in the room as founders, investors, business leaders, media, and startup supporters from across the Commonwealth come together to celebrate and showcase innovation across Virginia. Date: Thursday, September 17 Time: 5:00PM-8:00PM Location: Sandler Center, Virginia Beach RSVP: bit.ly/4xKoq3O #InnovateHamptonRoads #VirginiaCup #VirginiaStartups #StartupWorldCup #VirginiaBusiness #Entrepreneurship

The BioHealth Capital Region Forum is taking place September 15–16, 2026, at US Pharmacopeia in Rockville, Maryland. Over the past few years, Virginia has had major wins across life sciences, biotech, research, commercialization, investment, and economic development. From university innovation and emerging companies to statewide programs, accelerators, and industry growth, the Commonwealth is helping shape the future of the BioHealth Capital Region. This year’s Forum will focus on “Growing the BioHealth Capital Region of Tomorrow,” with conversations around biotech company growth, commercialization, investment, AI, quantum, manufacturing, medicine supply, infrastructure, talent, and regional collaboration. The Forum is free to attend, but registration is required. Register here: bit.ly/4qlqUTL #BHCRWeek #BioHealthCapitalRegion #Biotech #LifeSciences #Innovation

VIPC is a proud partner and supporter of the @allianceformed and was delighted to join in welcoming @MarkWarner yesterday for a community celebration and roundtable discussion led by Dr. Joy Polefrone with regional and state ecosystem partners. VIPC was delighted to provide catalytic seed funding last year which resulted in $16 million EDA grant recently awarded to our Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing (APM) Tech Hub in Richmond-Petersburg region. The real magic however comes from the human capital side of the equation and it’s inspiring to see what can be achieved together when industry, universities, startups, community colleges, economic partners, investors, ESO’s, and other stakeholders come together to work toward a shared goal. Great to see so many of these ecosystem partners and friends together hosted by CCAM including Civica Rx, @PhlowUSA,@OCCA_Systems, USP, @VCU, @VSU_1882, @VEDPVirginia, M4ALL,@ReynoldsCollege, @brightpointccva, CCWA, @grpva, @vabio, @activationRVA, RBIA, @PetersburgV, @PrinceGeorgeVa, @VAGatewayRegion, and many others. This is what a thriving innovation ecosystem looks like and how Virginia is developing a statewide Life Sciences and APM network. Thank you also to @DoughertyForVA for joining and continuing to be a champion for university commercialization, innovation, and entrepreneurship!

Coffee with VIPC's Virginia Venture Partners: From Pitch to Term Sheet: A VC's Real Decision Process Join us on Friday, August 7 at 9:00AM for a virtual fireside chat with Shane Martin of B Ventures, the fund built to invest in PeaceTech, as in startups that prevent, mitigate, or resolve violent conflict. We'll go behind the curtain on how capital actually decides: what gets a second meeting, what kills a deal in the first ten minutes, and how Shane underwrites a thesis most investors have never had to price. If you're building in PeaceTech, defense-adjacent markets, or even anywhere else, this is a real look at how a VC thinks, not just what they say they want. Click here to RSVP:bit.ly/4yXRlmn There will be an opportunity for breakout sessions to dive deeper into VIPC's funding opportunities and to ask questions following the presentation. #StateoInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives #StartupFunding #VVP #VIPC

VIPC was proud to participate in Virginia’s State Small Business Credit Initiative meeting with @UTresury, highlighting the strong partnership and collaboration between VSBFA, VIPC, and our ecosystem communities. Together, we’re driving real impact by expanding access to capital for small businesses, high‑growth startups, and the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem across the Commonwealth. #StateofInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives #SSBCI #VirginiaInnovation #StartupGrowth

VIPC connecting innovators with opportunities in Hampton Roads! Thank you to everyone who joined us at 757 Collab in Norfolk as we hosted a VIPC funding pathways workshop to help entrepreneurs, startups, and researchers gain access to the resources, programs, and opportunities that support their ability to launch, grow, and thrive in Virginia. At VIPC, we’re committed to expanding access and opportunity and helping accelerate ideas into impact. It was great to meet and engage with stakeholders from across the Hampton Roads community. Thank you 757! #StateofInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives #VIPC #VirginiaInnovation #Entrepreneurship #Commercialization #HamptonRoads

The 2026 Virginia Accelerator Network (VAN) Summit brought together regional entrepreneur support organizations from across the Commonwealth to foster connection, exchange ideas, and share insights. Virginia is fortunate to have mission-driven ESOs that provide local mentorship, resources, and support to founders and entrepreneurs every day. Their work matters and makes a meaningful difference in their communities. This is what makes Virginia unique - authentic relationships and collaboration across our statewide ecosystem network. The conversations and ideas shared at VAN left us even more excited about the opportunities ahead. VIPC is proud to partner with organizations and stakeholders across the Commonwealth to fuel Virginia’s innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems. Together, we’re making Virginia the best place for innovators and entrepreneurs to launch, grow, and thrive. Thank you to @CvilleBioHub, @Innovate757, @theStartupVA, @RVALighthouse, Roanoke Blacksburg Innovation Alliance and RAMP, @TheLaunchPlace, @DEIC_VA, @activationRVA, Venture Central, 757 Collab, Neptune Shield, @WilliamandMary, @RIoTonsocial, @VirginiaSBDC! #VirginiaInnovation #Entrepreneurship #StartupEcosystem #Innovation #Collaboration