Virginia IPC

08/27/2026

Congrats to Virginia’s Startup Virginia, Dominion Energy Innovation Center, 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!

08/25/2026

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 Brandefy, Poppy Flowers, MarginEdge, HUNGRY, CargoSense, and ID.me!

08/25/2026

VIPC’s Jennifer Hiltwine and Rob Brooke recently met with postdoctoral researchers from Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia 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!

08/21/2026

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:
https://sovarise.com/rise-summit-2026/

Boost your business success with professional training and networking opportunities for entrepreneurs. Join us on November 1st in Danville!

08/19/2026

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: https://bit.ly/4xKoq3O

08/17/2026

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: https://bit.ly/4qlqUTL

08/13/2026

VIPC is a proud partner and supporter of the Alliance for Building Better Medicine (ABBM) and was delighted to join in welcoming Senator Mark Warner 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, Phlow Corporation, Occam Systems, USP, VCU, VSU, VEDP, M4ALL, Reynolds Community College, Brightpoint Community College, CCWA, Greater Richmond Partnership, Virginia Biotechnology Association, Activation Capital, RBIA, the City of Petersburg, Prince George County, Virginia's Gateway Region 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 Delegate Lindsey Dougherty, VA House Dist. 75 for joining and continuing to be a champion for university commercialization, innovation, and entrepreneurship!

08/05/2026

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:https://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.

08/03/2026

VIPC was proud to participate in Virginia’s State Small Business Credit Initiative meeting with U.S. Treasury, 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.

07/30/2026

VIPC connecting innovators with opportunities in Hampton Roads!

Thank you to everyone who joined us at 757 Accelerate 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!