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Paul Chin Jr., RGB Imaging
er k a M The ement Mov
757 Makerspace 757 Makerspace is a membership-based, high-tech workshop and prototyping center — it’s a “gym for innovators”. Their space has a diverse group of people of all ages and skill levels — writers, artists, programmers, teachers, students, engineers, designers, crafters, hackers, prop makers, costumers and all purpose makers and tinkerers who love to create things that come together for the sole joy of making and expanding the maker spirit. If you have an idea for something that you have always wanted to make but did not have the knowledge, skill or specialized tools to do so, here you can learn more about design, creation and prototyping to turn your ideas into reality.
Paul Chin Jr., RGB Imaging
er k a M The ement Mov
757 Mini Maker Faire Featuring both established and emerging local “makers,� the Hampton Roads Mini Maker Faire is now an annual family-friendly celebration in Hampton Roads. This phenomenon grew from Maker Magazine and events feature rockets and robots, DIY science and technology, urban farming and sustainability, alternative energy, bicycles, unique hand-made crafts, and educational workshops and installations.
wn o t n Dowchies Te
Grow Grow is a digital agency with a passion for big ideas, little details, and a better approach to creating world-class interactive experiences. The team of close-knit creative, technologists, strategists, and producers worked hard to put them on the map, and their commitment to creative innovation is keeping them there. Grow strives to put that same level of energy into everything they touch, whether building a global campaign or a better neighborhood.
Brian Brough, Eye Captures Photography
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Hatch This accelerator has earned Norfolk a national reputation for entrepreneurial activity. Hatch is an intense, hands-on, 4 month mentor based accelerator run by Zack Miller. Hatch accepts applications from companies located anywhere in the world, but brings them to Norfolk, Virginia, to be mentored and assessed by local, regional, and national experts and investors. Applicants are evaluated according to five criteria (Team, Product, Market, Problem and Execution) and Hatch management has assembled a group of well-known and experienced entrepreneurs and investors to help guide company selection. Now Hatching.
Paul Chin Jr., RGB Imaging
wn o t n Dowchies Te
Vinylmint Vinylmint is an online marketplace that connects audio creators such as voice over artists, sound creators and musicians globally. Vinylmint aims to connect musicians around the world in a way that allows them to create new sounds, expand their influence, and enhance their talents. Vinylmint was founded in 2011 by CEO Byron Morgan. Teaming with CTO Jeff Muller, CMO Ryan Mounaime, COO Zach Miller, and Chief of Product Design Jeremy Johnson, Byron and the Vinylmint Team have been hard at work to complete their revolutionary new tool for artists across the world. In October, VinylMint Ranked #19 of 60 Creative industries companies by SIGNL. SIGNL’s algorithm analyzes millions of data points including web/mobile traffic, social buzz, company growth, and more to identify companies with the highest momentum.
tarts S p u Start Here’s a list of a few others who got their start at Start Norfolk:
Winners: Start Norfolk 4
Start Norfolk 2.0
Vinylmint
Carry Norfolk
1. Logistify
1. d8Night
Reality Bridges
757 Maker Space
2. Tough Turtles
2. Podium Pro
RoboCent
WTFolk
3. Stylfolio
3. Our Care Direct
Green Gi
WTFix
Feedback
True Indie
Start Norfolk 3
Start Norfolk
Your Party Hub
Go Local 757
1. hiQualia
1. TutoriALL
TunedN
ArcDNA
2. 7 Cups of Tea
2. Knitting
Winsitter
Jibe Set
3. Sound Sense
3. Apocolapse
Bootstrap Hero
Norfolk Bike Share
StartNorfolk Start Norfolk is a weekend long event bringing together individuals of different mind and skill sets— entrepreneurs, engineers, developers, designers, and business people— with the goal of building a viable startup over a weekend.
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RoboCent RoboCent is one of the nation’s largest providers of call and text notification systems. Small businesses, schools, non-profits and political campaigns across the U.S. rely on RoboCent’s notification systems on a daily basis — delivering millions of calls and texts to their subscribers.
ce Servi
Carry Norfolk Carry Norfolk started in March with a cellphone and bicycle. Since then, Carry Norfolk has blossomed to over ten other riders with almost twenty restaurants on board (with beer and wine delivery launching very soon). They’re currently delivering to Downtown and Ghent in Norfolk, with the possibility of expanding to the Oceanfront during next Summer. Carry.io, a Software as a Service company, was created from this adventure. Carry Norfolk uses it to automatically text updates to the customer during each order, dispatch riders, and complete all record-keeping. It is also being used by non-courier companies to similarly improve customer service after receiving their own orders.
Civiction a Innov
Team Better Block “Better Block provides an opportunity to envision the possibilities in an underutilized area,” said City Manager Marcus D. Jones. “It provides small business owners an opportunity to run their business and the city the data to discover ways to better serve them.” Team Better Block’s Downtown Arts and Design District event this April was a tremendous success. They are also creating plans for future Better Block events at Five Points and 35th Street (November 2013). The Better Block approach has been used in over forty cities, from California to New York, to illustrate rapid street changes and community revitalization. These cities have reported greater understanding and urgency by elected officials, leaders, and citizens for permanent change. Team Better Block is a service offering best practices, guidance, and professional services in urban planning, transportation design, and community development.
Civiction a Innov
Code for America: Code for Hampton Roads Brigade The Code for Hampton Roads Brigade are volunteers that contribute their talents toward improving the way our local governments and community organizations use the web. The public is invited to join developers, designers, data geeks, civic leaders, organizers, and idea-makers who volunteer to help the 7 Cities’ government and civic organizations adopt open web technologies. Weekly meetings are casual, fun “hack nights” where participants try to solve local civic problems through technology — always working on multiple projects at once. Brigade Captains are Kevin Curry and Bret Fisher.
ions t a n i Dest
Birch Bar A Top 50 Beer Destination in the World, according to RateBeer.com (2012 and 2013). Husband (Ben) and wife (Malia) opened this hideaway in January 2011 specializing in Craft Artisanal European Beer with a handful of American Craft Beers thrown in.
& Foodrage Beveducts Pro
Kombuchick Leslie Crews, Chief Brewer, won the National Outstanding Young Entrepreneur Award for 2013, presented by SCORE. Her product, kombucha (n. come-BOOcha) is a probiotic, fermented tea. Kombucha is non-alchoholic, tastes like a cider, looks like a beer, and is a whole lot of fun. Kombuchick’s goal is to become the Mid Atlantic region’s premier and largest kombucha probiotics company by 2015.
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Dr. Lucy’s Cookies As an M.D. and mother of a child with severe food allergies, Dr. Lucy Gibney brings understanding and a first-hand knowledge of the importance of strict quality standards and how to achieve them. With clear ingredient and allergen information on all packaging and careful selection of all raw materials, they employ the very best methods for quality control.
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Smartmouth Brewing Company Epiphany and barley were not-so-secret ingredients that led president Porter Hardy to take Smartmouth from homebrew experimentation to one of the Southeast’s most promising startup breweries. After years of bottled up dreaming finally came to a head, Porter traded his briefcase and corner office for pint glasses and tap handles. Norfolk’s own craft brewery recently received a bronze medal for its Notch 9 Doublic IPA during the Great American Beer Festival competition.
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O’Connor Brewing Company Once you arrive at the brewery, O’Connor’s TapRoom is located through the bay door, past the fermenters, towards the back, and right in front of the cooler. Yes, you will be tasting their fine ales right inside their warehouse – a raw and riveting experience. They pour all of their beers and some exclusives that you can only get at the brewery. Once you get your pint, take a seat at a picnic table, stool, or Adirondack, or just walk around and check out the brewery.
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Mermaid Winery Mermaid Winery is located in the charming neighborhood Ghent. The mermaid is a mythical source of beauty that represents their vision to produce stunning wines. The limited production wines are focused on articulating the characteristics of each varietal. The grapes are sourced from premiere vineyards in Virginia and they do their best to express their terroir.