Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation @VirginiaIPC

VIPC’s Jennifer and Jessie recently attended the @AUTM On the Road conference in Washington, D.C., one of four stops across the U.S. bringing together technology transfer and commercialization professionals. Conversations covered the challenges and opportunities shaping the field, from IP and funding to the future of innovation. It was a great chance to share how Virginia is accelerating university commercialization, including through VIPC’s Lab-to-Launch program, which helps turn promising university research into market-ready ventures. They were joined by university partners from across the Commonwealth, including the @UVA, @JMU and @ODU and met many new industry and ecosystem contacts. Together, we’re turning university research into real-world impact and making Virginia the best place to launch, grow, and thrive! #AUTM #TechTransfer #Commercialization #VirginiaInnovation #StateofInnoVAtion

What a great day at the Governor’s Rural Summit in Rockbridge County, full of meaningful conversations on the bright future for rural Virginia! VIPC President & CEO Joe Benevento joined Secretary of Commerce and Trade Carrie Chenery and agency leaders Eric Lin, @VirginiaSBSD, Vince Maiden, @Virginia_Energy, David Manley, Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission, Rita McClenny, Virginia Tourism Corporation, and David Devan, @VEDPVirginia to discuss resources, opportunities, and initiatives supporting business growth, innovation, and economic prosperity in rural Virginia. At VIPC, we’re proud to help entrepreneurs, startups, and innovators turn bold ideas into thriving businesses, right where they live. We’re grateful to @ltgovhashmi Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources David Bulova, @AgForestryVA, Director of Rural Health Transformation Heidi Hertz and the legislators who joined us for their leadership and commitment to rural Virginia, including @SpeakerDonScott, @EmilyJordan4VA, Senator Tammy Mulchi, Senator @CreighDeeds, Senator Chris Head, and @LilyForDelegate. A special thank you to Kristie Proctor and @VARuralCenter for hosting an outstanding event and bringing so many partners together. Rural Virginia is ready to grow, and VIPC is excited to collaborate and innovate! #StateoInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives #VIPC #RuralVirginia

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VIPC was proud to sponsor the VASEM Health Care Summit at @ReynoldsCollege which brought together leaders from across Virginia's biohealth and life sciences ecosystem to explore how we can advance innovation and partnerships to enhance access and outcomes. VIPC’s Joe Benevento and Allison Youngblood shared panel insights alongside Sally Allain, Chief Health Sciences Growth and Innovation Officer, Virginia Tech’s Fralin Biomedical Research Institute; John Newby, CEO, Virginia Bio; Jennifer Siciliano, Chief External Affairs Officer, UVA Health; and Heidi Hertz, Director, Virginia Rural Health Care Transformation; William Hazel, MD, Executive Director of Claude Moore Opportunities and Chair of the Virginia Community College System Foundation; Rachel Rees, CEO, Virginia Health Care Foundation; and Kelly Cannon, CEO, Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association Foundation. Discussions focused on how Virginia can strengthen partnerships between industry and research and how the Commonwealth’s rural health investment can help more Virginians access care. A big thank you to VASEM for convening this community, and to our session sponsors, healthhaven, @PhRMA, the @GeorgeMasonU College of Public Health, and @vtcsom for making it possible. It was an honor to welcome Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources Marvin Figueroa as the keynote speaker and thank you VASEM President Al Grasso, Director Nat Draper, and co-chairs Beth Bortz and Robert Phillips, whose leadership brought the summit together. Together, we're making Virginia the best place to launch, grow, and thrive! #VirginiaInnovation #VASEM #StateofInnoVAtion

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Coffee with Virginia Venture Partners — Ask Me Anything: Launch Grant Cohort 7 Thinking about applying for VIPC's Launch Grant? Join Dustin Dunbar and the VIPC team for an open Q&A on Cohort 7. We'll cover eligibility, the 1:1 match requirement (including in-kind contributions), allowable use of funds, and what reviewers look for in a strong application. Date: October 16, 2026 Time: 9:00 AM Click here to RSVP:bit.ly/3WdX4FE Cohort 7 applications close Friday, October 30, 2026. #StateoInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives #StartupFunding #VVP #VIPC

Yesterday, in Richmond, I was proud to sign an agreement bringing JMU into @VirginiaIPC's Lab-to-Launch program. This is an exciting step for JMU and for the researchers whose work has the potential to grow into new companies, jobs & investment here in Virginia.

Thank you @JMUPresident Jim Schmidt for joining VIPC CEO Joe Benevento to sign an MOU making @JMU Virginia’s first R2 research university to join VIPC’s statewide Lab-to-Launch partnership! Virginia is home to world-class research universities like JMU, and through VIPC’s Lab-to-Launch, we are increasing accessibility, enhancing effectiveness, and accelerating the translation of university research into real-world impact that can strengthen communities and improve lives throughout Virginia. JMU will now be able to utilize the innovative, founder-friendly Virginia Fast-Track License, which streamlines IP licensing and provides a faster, easier, and less costly pathway for advancing breakthrough discoveries from the lab into the marketplace. VIPC created Lab-to-Launch through a first-of-its-kind statewide collaboration with Virginia’s six R1 research universities to accelerate university research commercialization, technology transfer, and startup spinouts. We’re excited to build on that foundation and expand new growth opportunities across the Shenandoah Valley. A big thank you to the entire JMU leadership team, including Anthony Tongen, VP of JMU’s Division of Research, Economic Development and Innovation, for being great partners and sharing an ambitious vision for the future. Together, we’re growing Virginia’s innovation ecosystems and making Virginia the best place to launch, grow, and thrive! #LabToLaunch #VirginiaInnovation #JMU #TechTransfer #Startups #ShenandoahValley #StateofInnoVAtion

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VIPC was proud to serve as lead sponsor and partner with @VCU to bring together Richmond’s innovation ecosystem at the Virginia State Capitol for “Startup Showcase: University Intellectual Property in Action.” Thank you Delegate Lindsey Dougherty, VCU President Dr. Mike Rao, Secretary Carrie Chenery, VCU VP for Research & Innovation Dr. Srirama Rao, and VIPC President & CEO Joe Benevento for sharing their insights and advocacy for accelerating university research commercialization — moving breakthrough discoveries out of the lab and into the marketplace through the launch of new startups. Thank you as well to @DelBetsyCarr and @MayforVA for joining us and showing their support for Virginia’s entrepreneurs and innovation economy. Lighthouse Network’s Debbie Irwin introduced a Startup Showcase featuring 10 exciting technology startups spun out of VCU that are turning breakthrough discoveries into real-world solutions. Through VIPC’s “Connected Continuum,” many of these startups have been able to access early-stage funding, commercialization resources, and ecosystem support as they move from idea to impact. And the power of collaboration continues with regional ecosystem organizations including @theStartupVA, Lighthouse Network, and @ActivationRVA, which provide local landing pads with resources to help founders build and grow their companies right here in Virginia. #StateoInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives #VIPC

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VIPC joined innovators, researchers, and government leaders at the National TechConnect Conference, along with the co-located SBIR/STTR Fall Innovation Conference and Defense TechConnect Conference. It was a valuable opportunity to connect with founders, federal program managers, and partners to share how VIPC helps Virginia entrepreneurs turn breakthrough technologies into companies, from early-stage funding and commercialization support to connections across the Commonwealth's defense-tech and startup ecosystem. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to talk SBIR/STTR funding, emerging technologies, and what's next for Virginia innovation. VIPC is honored to help make Virginia the best place to launch, build, grow, and thrive! #StateoInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives #VIPC

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Coffee with VIPC's Virginia Venture Partners: Wes Barton, Founder & Managing Partner at Third Prime Join us Friday, October 2 at 9:00 AM for a fireside chat with Wes Barton, Founder & Managing Partner at Third Prime, who went from M&A lawyer to co-founding a premier early-stage venture firm with over $500M in assets under management. Wes will share Third Prime's investment thesis, what he looks for when leading a round, and how founders can position themselves for the right early investors. Don't miss this chance to hear direct advice from a veteran investor building across FinTech, PropTech, and industrial technology. Register: lnkd.in/ebA3V94A #StateoInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives #StartupFunding #VVP #VIPC

VIPC was proud to sponsor the third annual Startup World Cup Virginia Regional, hosted by Innovate Hampton Roads in Virginia Beach — bringing together and showcasing some of the Commonwealth's most exciting startups who pitched for a shot to advance to a global stage and compete against startups from around the world. Thank you to VVC Managing Partner Derren Burrell, IDEA Fund Partners investor Juan Carlos Pacheco, and Virginia Venture Partners' Marco Rubin for serving as judges and lending their expertise to this year's competition. Hardshell took the win after standing out among stiff competition from fellow Virginia companies — a testament to the depth of talent and innovation across the Commonwealth's startup ecosystem. VIPC is proud to help fuel Virginia's startup ecosystem and support founders as they take their ideas to the global stage. #StateoInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives #VIPC #StartupWorldCup #Founder

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Funding Pathways + connections for Virginia’s innovation-driven startups This October, VIPC Funding Pathways is coming to Charlottesville and Richmond in partnership with organizations supporting founders and strengthening their local startup communities. Who should attend: Early-stage science, technology, and innovation-focused companies preparing for future funding opportunities. What we’ll cover: Launch Grant (applications open October 1), plus the Launch Convertible Note, Lab to Launch, and Federal Funding Assistance Program (FFAP/SBIR). Come for the workshop. Stay for the connections. Each workshop is paired with a local networking event, giving founders the chance to continue the conversation and connect with entrepreneurs and ecosystem partners in their region. 📍 Charlottesville | Tuesday, October 13 VIPC Funding Pathways Workshop - 3:00 PM | CVSBDC Training Room Register: bit.ly/46y9MkN Networking: CBIC Innovation Mixer - 5:00 PM | Omni Charlottesville 📍 Richmond | Wednesday, October 21 Funding Pathways Workshop - 2:30 PM | Startup Virginia Rooftop Register: bit.ly/4rm4fal Networking: SVA Social - 4:00 PM | Startup Virginia #VirginiaStartups #StartupFunding #SBIR #Charlottesville #RVA

Thank you Senator @CreighDeeds and Delegate @LauferFor55 for joining VIPC in celebrating collaboration, entrepreneurship, and innovation across the Charlottesville ecosystem. VIPC brought together startup founders, community organizations, industry investors, university leaders, and government officials to highlight the people, ideas, and partnerships driving opportunity and impact. It was inspiring to hear firsthand from some of Charlottesville’s talented entrepreneurs who are building innovative solutions – ranging from early cancer detection to securing critical minerals to supporting small businesses and supply chains – that not only grow our economy but strengthen local communities and improve people’s lives. Shout-out to founders at Avant Genomics, Poppy, PS Fertility, MicroCatalyst, and Icarus Medical who wowed the room. And thank you to the amazing ecosystem builders at Venture Central, 434 Accelerator, @CvilleBioHub, @cbicouncil, @cvilleangels, CAV Angels, @TomTomFest, @UVA and all our partners across the Commonwealth. VIPC is honored to help make Virginia the best place to launch, build, grow, and thrive! #StateoInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives #VIPC

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100KM Ventures continues to shine! Managing Partner Shalanda Armstrong has been named the 2026 DC Dealmaker of the Year by the Smart Business D.C. Region Dealmakers Conference — the only venture capital firm recognized with this honor. The conference brings together hundreds of entrepreneurs, investors, and advisors for a day of dynamic content and meaningful networking. Congratulations to Shalanda and the outstanding 100KM Ventures team, including Kahlil Bilal and Sherilyn Williams Casiano, on this well‑deserved recognition! #StateoInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives

Virginia’s shipyards continue to innovate! Virginia Venture Partners is proud to invest in Portsmouth-based @radianforge along with @VenturesVeteran. Radian Forge is accelerating fleet readiness with large format Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing. Thanks to Jeff Yeager and his team, critical parts can now be produced in just weeks — not months — right in Portsmouth, VA. It’s a powerful example of how Virginia leads the nation in advanced manufacturing while championing the veteran founders who are driving this innovation forward. #StateoInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives #DefenseTech #Shipbuilding #VeteranOwned

Coffee with VVP: Inclusive Investing in Action — A Fireside with Zeal Capital Partners Zeal Capital Partners has deployed $186M+ across fintech, healthcare, and future-of-work startups, built on a thesis that category-leading founders exist far beyond the traditional VC hubs. Join us for a fireside chat with Royce Shey of Zeal as we unpack how the firm underwrites "Inclusive Investing," what actually gets a company to yes when you're not chasing the loudest deal flow, and what Mid-Atlantic founders in fintech, health, or future-of-work should know before they pitch. Click here to RSVP: bit.ly/4yxdxCO There will be an opportunity for breakout sessions to dive deeper into VIPC's funding opportunities and to ask questions following the presentation. #StateoInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives #StartupFunding #VVP #VIPC

Be in the room where Virginia’s next big success stories take the stage! Virginia Cup takes over the Sandler Center on September 17. Ten companies. $50,000 Presented by VIPC. One Virginia Cup Champion. A path to the $1,000,000 Startup World Cup in San Francisco. And you get a vote. Network with investors, executives, and builders from across the state — then watch the pitches live. Pre-party 3–5 PM at The Hive where Neptune SHIELD will be holding their SEAL Tank Veterans Pitch. Main event: 5:00–8:00 PM at Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia Beach Reserve tickets: bit.ly/3UVeoPh or bit.ly/vacup #StateoInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives

Congrats to Virginia’s @theStartupVA, @DEIC_VA, 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! #StateOfInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives #VirginiaIsForEntrepreneurs #Startup #Entrepreneurship #Founder

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 @BrandefyA, @poppyflowers, @marginedge, @TryHungry, @cargosense, and @IDme! #StateOfInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives #VirginiaIsForEntrepreneurs #Startup #Entrepreneurship #Founder