January brings a fresh start for Southern Virginia’s entrepreneurs, small business owners, and innovators as we step into a new year full of possibility. It is a time to reset goals, build momentum, and turn ideas into action. This month’s programs and events are designed to help you sharpen your skills, connect with fellow business leaders, and begin the year with focus and confidence.
Deadline to Apply for the Ready, Set, Grow! Marketing Bootcamp
Monday, January 5, 2026
Led by Letterpress Communications, this six-week online Marketing Bootcamp gives entrepreneurs the tools, structure, and accountability to turn their marketing ideas into action. Through weekly two-hour sessions, participants will learn how to clarify their brand, reach the right audiences, strengthen their visuals and messaging, and build a practical marketing plan they can implement immediately. Sessions run on Tuesdays from 6 to 8 pm, January 6 through February 10, 2026, and are delivered live on Zoom. Space is limited, and this program is designed for businesses operating in Southern Virginia
RISE Grapevine for Entrepreneurs Monthly Virtual Meetup
Thursday, January 15, 2026 | 12pm – 1pm | Zoom
The RISE Grapevine Monthly Virtual Meetup is a virtual gathering of diverse, creative, and inclusive entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders from across Southern Virginia. During each monthly meeting, we share updates from local and regional entrepreneurs support organizations.
Upcoming Events Hosted by State Agencies
Intro to Selling to Virginia – Workshop #1
Wednesday, January 14 & January 28, 2026 | 10am – 11:30am | Online
This session will provide a high level overview of the Commonwealth’s purchasing process, including purchasing policies that affect how buyers use the eVA system to “shop” and the eVA tools used by our buying community. You’ll also get a guided tour of the eVA website as we discuss the publicly accessible tools & resources every business should know about if they’re interested in selling to Virginia. And if you’re not already an eVA registered Vendor, you’ll learn how to get signed-up, as well as where to go for help at any time!
Hosted by the eVA outreach team with the Virginia Division Small Business & Supplier Diversity.
Generating Leads Using eVA – Workshop #2
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 | 10am – 12pm | Online
This advanced workshop is the 2nd in the eVA series & focuses on lead generation. This hands-on session explores the public transparency tools available on the eVA website, including the Report & Resource Center and the new “power” search. You’ll learn how to identify buyers who are buying what you sell, determine prices being paid for goods/services, identify who’s getting business (is it you or your competition). We’ll also walk through the Virginia Business Opportunities public posting page – featuring collaboration tools like B2B Connect & VIBE – as we discuss how & when eVA builds a lead list for you and why rating your leads is important.
Hosted by the eVA outreach team with the Virginia Division Small Business & Supplier Diversity.
Upcoming Events Hosted by the Longwood Small Business Development Center & Virginia Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Using AI Tools for Social Media
Wednesday, January 14, 2026 | 10am – 12pm | Online
Marketing on social media can be time-consuming and overwhelming, especially when you are juggling ideas, content creation, and consistent posting. In this live, online webinar, you will learn how practical AI tools can streamline your social media workflow, from planning and content creation to scheduling and management. Through real-world examples and live demonstrations, you will gain the confidence to use AI effectively while keeping your brand authentic.
Grow Your Business with Digitial Marketing
Tuesday, January 20, 2026 | 12pm – 1:30pm | Online
Understanding the basics of digital marketing is essential for business growth in today’s online-first world. This session introduces core digital marketing strategies including social media, email marketing, paid ads, SEO, affiliate marketing, and using analytics to measure and improve your results.
Building the Foundation for Your New Business
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 | 9am – 10am | Online
Starting a new business can be daunting, but with the right foundation, you can set yourself up for success. This seminar covers essential steps to establish a strong business foundation, including business planning, financial management, and legal considerations. Ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs and new business owners.
Hosted by the Longwood SBDC
Live and On-Demand Webinars
Multiple Dates | Online
No matter where you are in the state of Virginia, you can access virtual training programs and seminars on a variety of topics including business planning, marketing, management, legal considerations, accounting and bookkeeping, financial analysis, technology, access to capital, and business basics.
Hosted by the Virginia SBDCs (Small Business Development Centers)
Upcoming Chamber of Commerce Events
Chamber of Commerce Events
Multiple Dates | Various Locations
Many of Chamber of Commerce organizations host monthly networking events and ongoing training opportunities for businesses of all sizes and types.
Stay up to date on RISE Events
Find out what’s happening in the RISE Southern Virginia ecosystem on the RISE Meetups page.