Senator Mark Warner at VIA
The Virginia Innovation Accelerator, along with the City of Buena Vista, welcomed Senator Warner to an impressive gathering of 120 dignitaries and community leaders from the region Before the town hall meeting, the Senator took the opportunity to engage with innovators and entrepreneurs who are benefiting from the acceleration services provided by VIA As a strong advocate for rural innovation and business development, Senator Warner has played a key role in securing essential funding to launch the project. The remarkable turnout left a lasting impression on the Senator, who appreciated the varied discussions highlighting the significance of fostering innovation in rural Virginia
Business Program & Competition Begins: January 28, 2025
Virtual Class: Tues. 5:30-7 pm 10 weeks: Awards $300,000 ( cash and in-kind)
To mark the 10th Anniversary of the GAUNTLET, Virginia's Premier Business Program & Competition, The Advancement Foundation celebrated with the inaugural Cross-Regional Entrepreneurial EXPO on May 26 at the Berglund Center in Roanoke This event showcased GAUNTLET alumni from a variety of industries, including agricultural technology, business services, construction, energy, brewing, retail goods, confections, drone technology, and more. The EXPO also featured key ecosystem partners such as the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation, Verge/RAMP/RTC, SBDC, Virginia Western Community College, SCORE, SERCAP, economic development representatives, FemCity, Garland Properties, ROPHO Printing, Lake Turn Automation, Roanoke Arts Commission, The Valley Business Front, The Market Executive, and others from across the region
Over 1100 Entrepreneurs are Alumni of the GAUNTLET Program, with nearly 300 industry experts serve as mentors for the 10-week program. More than $300,000 in cash and in-kind resources are provided by partners, sponsors, and donors for awards each year.
The GAUNTLET's lead sponsor is State Farm Insurance, with WSLS 10 News as the media sponsor, alongside key partners such as the Bank of Botetourt, which hosted the VIP reception to honor corporate sponsors, mentors, faculty, localities, and community leaders. Virginia Tourism’s support had a direct effect on the regions entrepreneurs in the tourism industry.
The EXPO offered Fireside Chats let by industry experts in the following areas: Cash Flow is King with Laurie Hart and Susan Larkin from the Bank of Botetourt; Artificial Intelligence with Randy Lowman of Lake Turn; Brand Voice- Data-Driven Results with Becky Freemal of Market Exec.; Innovators and Inventors- panel discussion led by Richard Mansell ( IVO)& Erin Burcham-VERGE; Level-Up Your Problem Solving Red Teaming/SinFin Framework, Katie Beach Consulting; Women in Business led by Beth Bell of FemCity
KimberlyEakin FeaturedMentor
TheAdvancementFoundationishonoringKimberlyEakinforhertenyearsofdedicationtothe GAUNTLET,Virginia'spremierbusinessprogramandcompetition.Asacommunityleader,mentor, facilitator,Podcastproducer,publishedauthor,entrepreneur,andretiredArmySergeantwith20 yearsofserviceandveteran,Kimberlyhasapassionforlifelonglearning,agrowthmindsetand strategicadvicetosharewithourregion'sinnovatorsandentrepreneurs.
Annette Patterson, President of the Advancement Foundation, notes that GAUNTLET entrepreneursconsistentlyrankherclassesashavingrichcontentandreal-worldapplicationto impacttheirsuccess.ThosefortunateenoughtobeassignedKimberlyasamentoralwaysexcelin ourcompetitionIfonlywecouldcloneher!"sheexclaims
Kimberlyembodiesallthequalitiesweseekinapartner:adedicationtohumanpotentialandcitizen development,apassionforfosteringprosperouscommunitiesandaneagernesstosharewhatshe haslearnedinherownjourney.
Formoreinformationonservicesorbecomingamentor,pleasevisit www.TheAdvancementFoundation.orgorScanthecodeatthebottomoftheNewsletter.
Virginia‘s Innovation Accelerator
A Model for Rural Business & Community Development
The Virginia Innovation Accelerator (VIA), founded by The Advancement Foundation, is expanding its support for scaling businesses throughout the region VIA’s 37,000-square-foot facility on a 7-acre campus is ideally located in Buena Vista, with beneficial business designations such as Opportunity and HUB zones with proximity to major highways-Interstates 81, 64, and 60. (ArchitectRendering)
VIA is conveniently located near four colleges and universities, all within a 7-mile radius.
VIA has secured nearly $3 million in private, state, and federal funding and is currently building out 13,000 square feet for a range of innovative spaces These will include a commercial kitchen, office spaces, conference/event space, a food lab, and incubation areas that offer retail opportunities for Virginia makers. Additional features include a food court/café for food and beverage entrepreneurs, outdoor recreation outfitters, a tasting room for Virginia’s homebrewers (beer, mead, wine, and cider), and the Buena Vista Welcome Center. The remaining 24,000 square feet is available for manufacturing, packaging, distribution and storage
These new spaces are expected to launch in May!
NickieHawkinsNamedDirector ofInnovationServices
T ation is expanding Programming, financial resources, and ecosystem collaborations that will identify and support early-stage Virginia innovators. This investment was made possible through the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation and will include exceptional individualized case management, connection to targeted resources, most needed at each stage of development, and technical assistance and training to stimulate and accelerate growth
Nickie Hawkins has been selected as the Director of Innovation Services For The Advancement Foundation “ Nickie is a masterful collaborator bringing all the right players to the table As expected, she has hit the ground running with the development of a comprehensive Innovation Acceleration Ecosystem map of resources including industry expertise, high education partners, subject area training, financial resources, and Entrepreneurial networks.” Said Annette Patterson president of The Advancement Foundation.
The position will open up access exponentially for innovators across the southern Shenandoah Roanoke, and New River Valleys, including Allegheny, Highlands, Lynchburg, Franklin, Bedford, Danville, Henry County, Martinsville, and far Southwest Virginia
This Fall, Nickie and her team of innovators will launch three Entrepreneurial Exploration and Exchange Sessions to attract Innovators interested in connecting cross-regionally. Please see the networking events listed at the end of this newsletter for more information or to sign up.
Over the next 18 to 24 months, The Advancement Foundation will collaborate with corporate and community leaders to organize sessions for regional innovators and entrepreneurs These events aim to raise awareness and identify highpotential individuals for "Virginia's 200," an initiative that will expedite the growth of 200 of Virginia's strongest business enterprises through training, resources, and support This program is a significant move to bolster early-stage innovators in rural Virginia, addressing barriers and enhancing resources that are more accessible in urban areas.
Moreover, the Virginia 200 designation will connect innovators to the state's asset ecosystem Emphasizing funding, access to manufacturing spaces, industry connections, expertise, and in-kind services, it will create vast opportunities for innovators and entrepreneurs. The initiative will unite innovators and communities throughout the region, offering customized case management and strategies to enhance strategic business acumen, customer discovery, mentorship, and resources to hasten success. It will also foster a prominent narrative celebrating the achievements and prospects of our skilled innovators in rural Virginia With support from industry and corporations, the program aims to establish a cross-regional network that leverages both statewide and local resources to launch and expand 200 successful companies in our area
Community engagement is a potent tool that allows successful corporations to empower local citizens and communities, fostering innovation and positive change. The Advancement Foundation has evolved over a decade to become the go-to liaison for corporate and community leaders seeking to make a difference in their localities
Tom Field, the owner of Business Front Magazine, notes, "The Advancement Foundation offers regional business leaders a practical way to contribute to community, encourage innovation and business development, TAF provides manageable, flexible, and measurable opportunities for involvement, including sponsorships, mentorship opportunities, or in-kind contributions "
Our partnerships are robust and effective, providing resources to early-stage innovators and main street entrepreneurs that are otherwise out of reach. These collaborations are vital for their success, thanks to the programmatic, resource-oriented efforts of The Advancement Foundation
Our partners contribute a rich variety of resources that we harness to achieve successful business and community development outcomes.
