Commercialization & Innovation Resources

The Commonwealth of Virginia has multiple resources available to assist with new business start-ups and commercialization efforts.

University Resources

Old Dominion University. The ODU Institution for Innovation and Entrepreneurship houses all of the resources needed for creating a small business or product development. These include the Strome Entrepreneurial Center, Business Development Center, TempO, Veterans Business Outreach Center, Women’s Business Center, OpenSeas, and unWINEd.

Norfolk State University. The NSU Innovation Center offers entrepreneurship and innovation services and support to the community. The NSU Research & Innovation Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) affiliate of NSU and it promotes applied research and technology innovations, contributing to the Hampton Roads regional economy.

College of William & Mary. The W&M Economic Development and Business Innovation provides support to new businesses and entrepreneurs.

Innovation Commercialization Assistance Program (ICAP). The Innovation Commercialization Assistance Program (ICAP) is focused on helping Virginia-based technology and innovation-driven startups on their path to success. ICAP works with startups to provide support along their entire journey towards scaling – from the early idea stage, all the way through working on Series A level of funding. This is accomplished through experiential learning programs and one-on-one advising with a team of experienced entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs. These services are offered at no cost and all advising is confidential.

Regional Business Development Resources.

Go Virginia. GO Virginia is a bipartisan, business-led economic development initiative that is changing the way Virginia’s diverse regions collaborate on economic and workforce development activities.

 

Hampton Roads Innovation Collaborative (HRIC). HRIC mission is to create programs, events and disability for area technology companies. These activities are intended to assist development and growth of the technology sector and contribute to a diversified regional economy.

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Virginia Workforce Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center. The mission of VWIEC is to expand the capability and capacity of Virginia’s current and aspiring entrepreneurs to aid with economic recovery in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Along with a host of other partners, including Old Dominion University (ODU), another minority-serving public research university in Norfolk, VA, the new center will serve as a statewide nexus of support by synthesizing the resources of two- and four-year institutions of higher education, experts in the public and private business sectors, and workforce agencies. VWIEC will fulfill a critical niche in the small business development arena. 

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757 Collab. Catalyzing the 757’s startup ecosystem. Supporting founders with incubation, acceleration, and capital.

It is composed of the StartUp Studios | 757 Accelerate | 757 Angels