
February is packed with exciting events for entrepreneurs, small business owners and innovators in Southern Virginia.

1-on-1 Consulting on Government Contracting
Wednesday, February 12, 2025 | SOVA Innovation Hub
Southern Virginia businesses interested in government contracting have a new opportunity close to home. The Crater APEX Accelerator is offering free, 1-on-1 consulting sessions at the SOVA Innovation Hub, located at 715 Wilborn Avenue, South Boston, VA. The goal of this service is to make it easier than ever for Southern Virginia businesses to access expert guidance on navigating the government contracting process. Learn More >

PUMP: Pull Up Mentoring Program
-
Monday, February 17 | 12pm – 4:00pm | SOVA Innovation Hub (South Boston, VA)
-
Wednesday, February 19 | 9am – 1pm | P&HCC Patrick County Fab Lab (Stuart, VA)
Hosted by the RISE Navigators, PUMP (Pull Up Mentor Program) is a free, drop-in event designed to connect entrepreneurs with valuable resources to support your business journey.
Whether you’re a business owner looking to grow, an aspiring entrepreneur with a new idea, or an innovator with a fresh product or service, PUMP (Pull Up Mentor Program) offers a chance to discuss your ideas with a member of the RISE Navigator team. The RISE Navigators are knowledgeable about local, regional, and national resources to support your business journey.
Don’t miss this chance to strengthen your entrepreneurial journey with personalized support.

Introduction to Federal Government Contracting with Crater APEX Accelerator
Wednesday, February 19| 12pm – 1:30pm | SOVA Innovation Hub
Discover how to sell your products or services to U.S. federal agencies through federal government contracting, a vast marketplace spanning industries such as technology, construction, research, and consulting. This session provides a comprehensive overview of the federal acquisition process, including key regulations like the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FARS), SAM.gov registration, the contracting process, and opportunities specifically for small businesses. Whether you’re new to government contracting or looking to expand your business, this event will equip you with the foundational knowledge needed to navigate the process and tap into federal business opportunities.

RISE Grapevine Monthly Virtual Meetup
Wednesday, February 19 | 12:00-1:00pm | 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, February 5 and February 19 | 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, February 12 & February 26 | 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.

Succession Planning – Is your Business Ready?
Tuesday, February 18 | 12pm-1pm | Online
This webinar is designed for organizations of all types, both small and large, and will begin with some guiding principles used by companies with successful succession planning programs. Based on the principles, we will then present specific steps to help you build a strong process that assures the continuity of the organization and the successful development of your leaders. There will also be time to discuss the range of special situations that the participating companies may be facing.
Historically, the focus of succession planning has been on what to do in an emergency. Development for senior leaders is often viewed as unnecessary (“they’re experienced — that’s why we hired them”). However, to have a strong succession planning system, an organization needs a consistent and disciplined company commitment to sustaining leadership development, as well as planning for unforeseen events.
Presenter: Steve Bookbinder, SCORE Boston
Upcoming Events Hosted by the Virginia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the Longwood SBDC

Building the Foundation for Your New Business
Thursday, February 27 | 10:30am-12:00pm | 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 Noon Knowledge Events

Noon Knowledge – Federal Disaster Assistance for Businesses
Wednesday, February 5, 2025 I 12:00-1:00pm I Zoom
Financial projections act as a roadmap for your business. They help you anticipate challenges, secure funding, and make informed decisions. Many startups fail dur to poor financial planning – this presentation will help you avoid that.
Presented by: Rusy Little, Wellspring Foundation in SW Virginia
Noon Knowledge – Building Credit & Managing Cash Flow
Wednesday, February 19, 2025 I 12:00-1:00pm I Zoom
Gain the tools to grow your business and maintain financial stability. This training covers building business credit, managing cash flow, funding options, and preparing for loans. Perfect for startups and growing businesses, it provides essential strategies for financial success
Presented by: Justin Lewis: People Inc.
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.