Virginia Innovation Accelerator

01/15/2026

✨ It’s official — the 12th annual Gauntlet is back for 2026… and it’s better than ever. ✨

With more than 1,200 entrepreneurs supported to date, The Advancement Foundation is launching the 12th annual Gauntlet in 2026, alongside a brand-new parallel pathway: The Quest.

This year, we’re meeting entrepreneurs where they actually are — with two distinct program tracks designed for different business models, stages, and goals.

Here’s the breakdown:

→ The Gauntlet
For Main Street, retail, food, and service businesses. The Gauntlet now focuses on businesses built to serve a local or regional customer base — whether storefront, service-based, mobile, or run from home.

Participants move through an 8-week cohort with guided education, mentorship, accountability, and milestone-based progress.

New for 2026: participants have the opportunity to earn milestone-based in-kind awards and recognition throughout the program, with cash awards and additional in-kind prizes at the end.

→ The Quest
For high-growth, tech-enabled, innovation-driven founders building ventures designed to reach cross-regional or national markets.

This pathway offers accelerator-style support, expert guidance, and resources aligned with scalable growth models. Smaller cohort will allow for a more customized process.

Key dates to know:
Application open through February 1
Program begins February 3

Live online Q&A sessions (links to register on website):
January 20 at 6:00 pm
January 27 at 6:00 pm

Help us find the 2026 class! If you know an entrepreneur who should see this, please share this post or tag them below. Word-of-mouth has always been one of the most powerful ways entrepreneurs find The Gauntlet — and we’re counting on this community again.

Learn more, explore both pathways, and apply through our website:
https://theadvancementfoundation.org

12/31/2025

12/02/2025

We’re cutting the ribbon TOMORROW! 🎀
Join us as we celebrate the grand opening of Junction 245, the Virginia Innovation Accelerator, and our brand-new Commercial Kitchen.
Please take a moment to RSVP here:
👉 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfFlEH_ADpsyCeM4GiSN87y–98-2VqLLOI-xfApTLBzOrl2Q/viewform?usp=header

We can’t wait to celebrate this milestone with our community!

12/01/2025

Junction 245 is officially in full Christmas mode! 🎄✨
Our marketplace is stocked with holiday treasures, the photo wall is ready for your cutest memories, and the whole space is glowing. Come shop local, sip something warm, and step into the magic — right over the tracks🚂

11/13/2025

Join us tonight in Clifton Forge!

10/20/2025

Join us for the first in series of six events aimed to connect Entrepreneurs, Innovators, and Support Organizations across Central and Southwest Virginia. Coming soon to a community near you! Registration required, link in QR code below.

10/10/2025

Less than 24 hours till our opening day! Come shop with us and enjoy some amazing baked goods!😁🛍️

09/29/2025

🍷☕ Are you ready to give your business a permanent home?

Junction 245 is now recruiting:
✨ Breweries & wineries who want to showcase their beer or wine in our taproom.
✨ Food entrepreneurs ready to run a full-time café where customers can enjoy your creations every day.

We provide the space, café, taproom, and retail shelving — plus extra marketing support so you can focus on what you love: making great food & drinks.

No more relying only on festivals or food trucks. This is your chance to establish a dedicated location and grow your brand in a vibrant community hub.

📍 245 W. 21st Street, Buena Vista, VA
📞 540-815-7625
🌐 https://acceleratevirginia.com/

09/24/2025

Our retail side is opening early October!! Come check us out!😁🛍️

09/17/2025

We’re so excited to welcome Autumn Laurel to our marketplace this October! 🍂 Founded by Laura, Autumn Laurel was born from a love of Appalachia and the Blue Ridge Mountains — and from the reminder to slow down and find beauty in everyday life.

Her handcrafted candles, wax melts, soaps, and home goods are more than just products — each one is a little ritual of Appalachian stillness and care, carrying the spirit of mountain mornings, folklore, and the turning of the seasons. 🌿

Light a Laurel. Find your story. And starting this October, you’ll find Autumn Laurel’s creations at Junction 245, 245 W. 21st St., Buena Vista, VA.

09/09/2025

🚨Calling All Food & Beverage Entrepreneurs!🚨
We’ve recently transformed a 35,000-square-foot former manufacturing building into Junction 245 — a vibrant, community-driven marketplace located right on the river in Buena Vista, VA.

We’re looking for an anchor tenant or any food and beverage vendors to join our café space 🍴☕. Whether it’s coffee, pastries, handheld sandwiches, BBQ, pork dishes, or other creative eats — we’d love to feature YOU at Junction 245!

This is more than just a place to sell — it’s a space built for connection, support, and real growth. Vendor spaces start at just $75/month — and you don’t have to be there every day. We handle the sales for you, so you can focus on cooking, baking, and creating.

When you join Junction 245, you’ll gain access to:
✨ A built-in customer base
✨ On-site commercial kitchen
✨ Built-in marketing & visibility
✨ 24/7 business support
✨ A supportive, entrepreneurial community

Space is limited — don’t wait!
📍 Find us at 245 W 21st St, Buena Vista, VA
✅ Apply today & get sent information: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdQnRB9LUZd7pnyKf0OYOoHTi1qoWnwLn35WNi2NKdkRFZv6Q/viewform?usp=header
📞 Questions? Call or text us at 540-815-7625 — we’re happy to chat!

Apply by September 27th to become part of this incredible vendor community. Let’s build something amazing together.