It's been an amazing 2 weeks with the Piedmont Pitch Business Plan Competition, The UVA Venture Capital Conference, The Commonwealth Cyber Initiative Symposium, and a delegation from Italy's Trieste Free Trade Port visiting, with whom we have a trade partnership for our companies that are expanding into Europe. We also were heavily engaged with the Tom Tom Festival days of 'Technology for Good' and Entrepreneurship for All.'

Piedmont Pitch concluded after business owners went through 8 weeks of Business Essentials Training and Pitch Preparation,17 business plans were submitted and 6 finalists were chosen to pitch their business in front of a panel of judges.

Thank you to the City of Charlottesville Office of Economic Development, Albemarle County Economic Development and the Community Investment Collaborative for sponsoring Piedmont Pitch.

From left to right: Joshua Diehl (WattBuild), Katie McFarland (Blue Ridge Concierge), Emily Smith (Side Nerd Apps), Leigh Ann Nordt and Michelle Katstra (Gifts on Grounds), Karita Cunningham (Rita's Bright Beginnings) and Eva Saunders (Quilt Your Masterpeice)

Congratulations to the Piedmont Pitch Prize Winners!

In 2nd place, winning $5,000: Eva Saunders - Quilt Your Masterpiece

In 1st place, winning $10,000: Karita Cunningham - Rita’s Bright Beginnings

Piedmont Pitch Winners Eva Saunders (l) and Karita Cunningham (r)

Are you passionate about connecting with local entrepreneurs to support local communities?

We're hiring a Rural Ecosystem Navigator at the Central Virginia Small Business Development Center (CV SBDC) and the Community Investment Collaborative (CIC).



As a Rural Ecosystem Navigator, you'll play a key role in cultivating partnerships through community outreach and raising awareness of entrepreneurial activities. Your contributions will make profound impacts on the Central Virginia regions.

SMALL BUSINESS NEWS

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

$1000 Grant for Your Small Business

The American Dream Awards shine a spotlight on small businesses that offer innovative solutions, outstanding community contributions, and commitment to sustainable business practices. These prestigious awards include $1,000 in funding, access to a small business accelerator, media coverage, and various other perks! Apply by 6pm on April 30, 2024.

Bookmark this List of Grant Opportunities

Bank of America Institute at Cornell University has put together a spreadsheet of funding opportunities available for small businesses. Learn more and get the list here.

All programs of the Virginia SBDC are open to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.

QuadTank is back for the fifth and final time!

Are you a business owner or entrepreneur located in

Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, or Orange County?

Then you are eligible to compete in this competition!

• Apply by submitting a completed business plan by May 30.

• Finalists will present a 10 minute pitch followed by a 5 minute Q&A with a panel of judges on June 13th.

Need help writing your business plan? Call 434-295-8198 or email contact@cvsbdc.org to work with a Business Advisor.

Attention Culpeper Businesses!

The second annual C3, Culpeper County Conference, is just around the corner!

Join us for a 1/2 day of learning and an evening networking event

geared for Culpeper County businesses.

Click on the graphic below to register!

Webinars from the Virginia SBDC Network

Access the CVSBDC Events Calendar and 

statewide training offerings for even more learning!

Unlocking Export Markets and Scaling Globally Through International Trade

April 30 | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

In Person (Charlottesville)

Hear from a panel of professionals as they discuss their experiences accessing international markets, including their decision process, the impact on company growth, and where they turned for knowledge and resources.

SBIR/STTR Proposal Prep Workshop

May 1 | 8 AM - 4 PM

In Person (Charlottesville)

Attend this live workshop to learn up-to-date information on the SBIR/STTR programs and take a deep dive into the NSF program specifics, learn to write a winning pitch, and avoid common pitfalls.

2-Day Virtual Summit

April 30 - May 1 | 11 AM - 6 PM

Empower your business with the latest strategies and network with industry leaders at the National Small Business Week Virtual Summit—a must-attend event to catalyze growth and innovation for your company.

SWaM Supplier Expo

June 5 | 11 AM - 3 PM

In Person (Charlottesville)

Are you a SWaM Certified Business? Would you like to do more business with UVA? Register to be a supplier at this year's SWaM Supplier Expo.

Leaders Lab of Greater Charlottesville - Applications Open!

In Person (Charlottesville)

The Leaders Lab of Greater Charlottesville is a leadership training program for everyone who wants to be great at collaboration! Current and emerging leaders build leadership skills, practice community problem-solving, and learn first-hand how people are working together on local issues. Apply by May 2nd for scholarship consideration.

Are you a tech-centric and innovation-based startup? Apply top participate in Innovators Row at the 2024 CBIC Awards Gala on May 30th. Demo your product or concept to potential investors, customers, and supporters. Apply by April 30th.

Central Virginia SBDC

Your Partners in Business:



​Supporting Small Business - from Startups to International Expansion

Serving the City of Charlottesville and the Counties of Albemarle, Culpeper, Fluvanna,

Greene, Louisa, Madison, Nelson, Orange, Rappahannock.

Meet With Us

The Virginia SBDC Network is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, George Mason University‐Mason Enterprise, and local host institutions. The Virginia SBDC is nationally accredited by America’s SBDC.

All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. Business owners can access the services of their nearest SBDC at VirginiaSBDC.org.