News & Stories for Entrepreneurs
3rd Annual RISE Summit to Connect Regional Entrepreneurs and Industry Leaders in Danville
August 6, 2026 - DANVILLE, Va. — Entrepreneurs, business owners, manufacturers, farmers, innovators, and community leaders from across Southern Virginia are invited to attend the third annual RISE Summit on Thursday, August 27, 2026 at the Institute for Advanced...
August 2026 Events for Entrepreneurs and Businesses
August is a busy time for many business owners, but it's also important to make time to work on your business, not just in it. Investing a few hours in learning, networking, and planning can spark new ideas, strengthen your strategy, and open doors to new...
Heard it through the RISE Grapevine: July 2026 Edition
The Power of Customer Service in Building a Strong BusinessExceptional customer service isn't just about solving problems. It's about creating experiences people remember. That was the focus of the July RISE Grapevine Virtual Meetup, where entrepreneurs and business...
Impact Halifax Startup Experience Inspires Southern Virginia’s Future Entrepreneurs
RISE in partnership with the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center (SVHEC) and community sponsors, hosted the RISE Impact Halifax Startup Experience on June 23–25, 2026, at SVHEC in South Boston. The three-day summer program welcomed rising 7th through 12th grade...
RISE and RAMP Launch RAMP Up Program to Help Agricultural, Forestry, and Rural Innovators Reach the Marketplace
RISE and RAMP Launch Program to Help Agricultural, Forestry, and Rural Innovators Reach the MarketplaceNew RAMP Up accelerator program will help innovators turn ideas into products, businesses, and real-world solutionsSOUTH BOSTON, VA - July 9, 2026 - RISE (Regional...
July 2026 Events for Entrepreneurs and Businesses
July is a great time to pause, reflect, and refocus on your business goals for the second half of the year. Across Southern Virginia, entrepreneurs are building momentum, exploring new opportunities, and finding innovative ways to grow and adapt. Whether you're...
June 2026 Events for Entrepreneurs and Businesses
June is a season for growth, fresh ideas, and taking the next step. Across Southern Virginia, entrepreneurs are launching businesses, exploring new opportunities, and building momentum for the future. Whether you are just getting started or looking to grow an existing...
May 2026 Events for Entrepreneurs and Businesses
May is a time to celebrate the entrepreneurs and small business owners who keep Southern Virginia growing. In honor of National Small Business Month, we’re recognizing the creativity, resilience, and hard work of those building businesses across our region. It’s also...
Heard it through the RISE Grapevine: April 2026 Edition
Financial Literacy for Entrepreneurs, Access to Capital, and Building Business ReadinessAt the April RISE Grapevine Virtual Meetup for Entrepreneurs, business owners and ecosystem partners from across Southern Virginia gathered for an important conversation about one...
First Look: Bottom Line, a New Film on the Real Decisions Behind Building a Business
Watch the Bottom Line film trailer, offering a first look at a short narrative film exploring leadership, business growth, and the decisions behind building a business.The Bottom Line film trailer is now available, offering a first look at a short narrative film...
April 2026 Events for Entrepreneurs and Businesses
April is a season of growth and fresh momentum for Southern Virginia’s entrepreneurs, small business owners, and innovators. As spring unfolds, it’s a great time to build on new ideas, strengthen connections, and take the next steps in your business journey. This...
Heard it through the RISE Grapevine: March 2026 Edition
Perseverance, Passion, Love: Southern Virginia Women Redefining Childcare and EntrepreneurshipAt the March Grapevine Virtual Meetup for Entrepreneurs, something really honest happened. A group of women came together to talk about childcare, not just as a service, but...
March 2026 Events for Entrepreneurs and Businesses
March is a time to turn momentum into action for Southern Virginia’s entrepreneurs, small business owners, and innovators. As plans take shape, this month’s programs and events are designed to help you sharpen your skills, strengthen connections, and continue moving...
Heard it through the RISE Grapevine: February 2026 Edition
February 2026 Grapevine: Mapping the Customer Journey and what is coming up next in our ecosystemAt this month’s RISE Grapevine Monthly Virtual Meetup, our community leaned into a topic that touches every entrepreneur, no matter your industry or how long you have been...
February 2026 Events for Entrepreneurs and Businesses
February is a time to build on the momentum of the new year for Southern Virginia’s entrepreneurs, small business owners, and innovators. As goals begin to take shape, this month’s programs and events are designed to help you strengthen your skills, deepen...
SOVA Innovation Hub Begins Renovation to Expand Downtown South Boston Campus
SOVA Innovation Hub Begins Renovation to Expand Downtown South Boston Campus The Hub @ 801 will feature a Fab Lab, podcast studio, coworking spaces, and flexible meeting space SOUTH BOSTON, VA — January 20, 2026 — The SOVA Innovation Hub announced today that...
January 2026 Events for Entrepreneurs and Businesses
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...
December 2025 Events for Entrepreneurs and Businesses
December brings a renewed sense of focus as Southern Virginia’s entrepreneurs, small business owners, and innovators look ahead to the new year. It is a natural moment to set intentions, build momentum, and prepare for the opportunities that 2026 will bring. This...
November 2025 Events for Entrepreneurs and Businesses
November brings fresh energy and new opportunities for Southern Virginia’s entrepreneurs, small business owners, and innovators. As the season of gratitude unfolds, it’s the perfect time to reflect, connect, and prepare for growth. This month also marks Global...
Student Entrepreneurship on the RISE
A recent UVA study said that students who were exposed to entrepreneurship education were 40% more likely to start revenue-generating businesses when they grew up. We believe it is valuable to invest time in students to help them explore entrepreneurship. Most...
Join the Spring 2026 CIC Southern Virginia Entrepreneur Workshop Powered by RISE
We are excited to announce that Cohort 8 of the RISE Business Bootcamp will be the "CIC Southern Virginia Entrepreneur Workshop Powered by RISE." The Spring 2026 virtual cohort will begin in February and finish in May 2026. The application deadline is January 2, 2026....
RISE Collaborative serves entrepreneurs in the following 15 localities in Virginia:
Patrick, Henry, Martinsville, Danville, Pittsylvania, Halifax, Mecklenburg, Brunswick, Charlotte, Lunenburg, Prince Edward, Buckingham, Amelia, Nottoway, and Cumberland. Questions? Contact our team at hello@sovarise.com.
