For Immediate ReleasePaul RobinsonRISE Executive Director(757) 258-0500paulrobinson@riseresilience.orgNorfolk, VA., May 18, 2020 – RISE today announced five winners of the 2020 RISE Coastal Community Resilience Challenges. The winners are small businesses that will each receive up to $250,000 to advance and demonstrate cutting-edge products that help coastal communities adapt to the impacts of sea level rise and flooding. RISE will… [Read More]
Hampton Roads Small Business Development Center creates programs to help small businesses plan for post-coronavirus
FROM WYDAILY By Alexa Doiron The coronavirus pandemic has caused a lot of problems for small businesses in the area but the Hampton Roads Small Business Development Center is stepping up to provide resources. During a virtual work session Monday, the Williamsburg City Council heard a presentation from the center about ways the organization and small… [Read More]
Startup Spotlight: Companies in the NRV portfolio respond to coronavirus outbreak by offering new services
By JOHN REID BLACKWELL Richmond Times-Dispatch Several startup companies that are part of the investment portfolio of NRV, a Richmond-based venture capital group, have taken steps to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. For instance, Shenandoah Valley Organic, a Harrisonburg-based company that sells organically raised chicken under the Farmer Focus brand name, has given each of… [Read More]
SVT Robotics Raises $3.5M Seed Funding Led by Cowboy Ventures
Despite pandemic, SVT to expand software platform that enables businesses to rapidly adopt robotics NORFOLK, Va., May 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — SVT Robotics, a startup whose software accelerates and simplifies deployment of industrial robotics, announced today that it has completed its seed round of $3.5 million. Cowboy Ventures led the investment round, with Dynamo Ventures, Schematic Ventures, Ludlow Ventures,… [Read More]
Hampton Roads Small Business Development Center Takes the Lead to Assist Small Businesses
FROM INSIDE BUSINESS By TREVOR METCALFE Since the coronavirus pandemic began, business owners have been bombarding the Small Business Development Center in Norfolk with the same request. They all need money. “Basically, it is trying to get capital,” said Jim Carroll, the assistance organization’s executive director. “That is — the first, second, third and fourth priority… [Read More]
Brooks Crossing Innovation Lab is making masks for frontline workers; looking to expand to the Peninsula
FROM WYDAILY BY Julia Marsigliano The Brooks Crossing Innovation and Opportunity Center‘s Innovation Lab is using its 3D Printers to make face masks for frontliners. Kim Lee, spokeswoman for the city of Newport News, wrote in an email on Tuesday, the lab can print five masks per day and the initiative is through Old Dominion University…. [Read More]
After the Disaster…What Happens Next?
BY Jim Carroll, Executive Director Hampton Roads Small Business Development Center, Inc and VP Small Business, Hampton Roads Chamber The COVID pandemic has wreaked havoc on our region’s economy and, especially, our small businesses. Restricted movement, mandatory closing of many businesses, “social distancing” and other factors are contributing to an economic disaster of monumental proportions…. [Read More]
William & Mary MBA students help small businesses with coronavirus impacts
FROM INSIDE BUSINESS BY TREVOR METCALFE While the College of William & Mary has closed its campus and taken learning online, two students are still finding a way to assist businesses struggling from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Vicki Harrington and Cara Simpson, both first-year MBA students, are helping Willliamsburg-area small businesses navigate the… [Read More]
Coworking spaces work to maintain operations during coronavirus outbreak
FROM INSIDE BUSINESS By SANDRA J. PENNECKE Adding plants. Declaring no handshake zones. Banning visitors. These are some of the ways local coworking spaces are adapting to a coronavirus crisis that has made working from home the “new normal” for many people. Inside Business spoke with several local coworking hubs to see how they — and… [Read More]
GYMGUYZ OFFERS VIRUS STRESS RELIEF FOR FRONTLINE WORKERS
GYMGUYZ, a mobile gym company in Williamsburg, is responding to the current coronavirus crisis by offering free virtual personal training sessions to area frontline workers. The outreach is part of the company’s efforts “to help clients stay healthy and active as well as reduce stress during these uncertain times,” said company owner Kristin Doherty. … [Read More]
RISE Announces Six Finalists of the 2020 Coastal Community Resilience Challenges
For Immediate ReleasePaul RobinsonRISE Executive Director(757) 258-0500paulrobinson@riseresilience.org Norfolk, Va., April 14, 2020 – RISE is pleased to announce six finalists of the 2020 Coastal Community Resilience Challenges. The Challenges sought small businesses with innovative solutions around major resilience issues that can be demonstrated in the Hampton Roads region of coastal Virginia, can be built into sustainable businesses, and are scalable to… [Read More]
Nation’s First Home Raising Academy Launches in Hampton Roads, Virginia
For Immediate ReleasePaul RobinsonRISE Executive Director(757) 258-0500paulrobinson@riseresilience.org (April 10, 2020) Norfolk, Virginia -RISE joins Resilient Enterprise Solutions (RES) to announce the launch of America’s first Home Raising Academy to begin training contractors on April 14, 2020 in the Hampton Roads region of coastal Virginia. The Home Raising Academy delivers home elevation education to general contractors and builds a… [Read More]
