FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

RISE Summit 2024: Empowering Southern Virginia Entrepreneurs with Business Resources and Growth Opportunities

Entrepreneurs invited to connect, learn, and grow in Danville, VA on October 19th

August 29, 2024 – South Boston, VA – Calling all entrepreneurs, innovators, and visionaries! Southern Virginia’s entrepreneurial community is set to converge at the inaugural Regional Innovation Summit for Entrepreneurs (RISE Summit) on Saturday, October 19th, 2024. This exciting event promises a powerhouse lineup of inspiring speakers, hands-on skill-building workshops, and invaluable networking opportunities—all designed to connect existing businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs with resources to start, grow, or scale in Southern Virginia.

“The RISE Summit is more than just another event—it’s where real connections are made and where your ideas can gain the momentum they need,” said Natalie Hodge Davis, CEO of Rudy’s Girl Media and Entrepreneur Co-Chair of the RISE Summit. “What makes this summit unique is the intentional gathering of growth-minded entrepreneurs and potential new founders from across Southern Virginia. As an entrepreneur, I know how valuable it is to invest in these in-person gatherings. The relationships and insights you’ll gain here are worth every minute and dollar spent.”

Taking place in the resurgent city of Danville, VA, the RISE Summit will be held at the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research from 8:00am to 3:00pm. Doors open at 8:00am for breakfast and networking, and the program begins at 9:00am. The RISE Summit is laser-focused on equipping Southern Virginia’s entrepreneurs with the essential knowledge, skills, and resources to supercharge their business ventures. Attendees will dive into critical topics like unlocking capital through microloans, grants, and contracts; mastering business essentials in marketing, finance, and accounting; crucial steps to bring your startup idea to life; and exploring A.I. and emerging technology. The format will include full group sessions and breakout sessions, with featured speakers, panels, and workshops to support entrepreneurs at each stage of business, from ideation to starting, growing, and scaling.

The RISE Summit will showcase speakers who live and work in Southern Virginia who understand the unique challenges and opportunities impacting the regional economy. For RISE Collaborative, the Southern Virginia region stretches along Highway 58 to Patrick County, Henry County and Martinsville, Danville and Pittsylvania County, Halifax County, Mecklenburg County, and Brunswick County and extends north to Farmville, Prince Edward County, Charlotte County, Lunenburg County, Cumberland County, Nottoway County, Amelia County, and Buckingham County. 

“In our rural region, starting and growing a business comes with distinct challenges and opportunities,” said Lauren Mathena of the SOVA Innovation Hub. “The RISE Summit bridges that gap, offering tailored resources and insights for new and existing business owners, while highlighting the economic growth trends transforming our region.”

“Small business are the heart and soul of The City of Danville,” said Samantha Bagbey, Economic Development Project Manager for City of Danville Office of Economic Development & Tourism. “We are thrilled to be a part of a great networking and resource event that puts the focus on entrepreneurs and continuing to create avenues for success, expansions, and long-term opportunities.”

The RISE Summit is presented by RISE Collaborative, a regional initiative to enhance entrepreneurial opportunities for all people in Southern Virginia, which is hosted by the SOVA Innovation Hub, a non-profit organization with a mission to drive economic transformation through digital skills and entrepreneurship. The RISE Summit event sponsors and partners include SOVA Innovation Hub, RetirePathVA^SM, Hitachi Energy South Boston, Letterpress Communications, Longwood SBDC, GO Virginia Region 3, Crater APEX Accelerator, Rudy’s Girl Media, City of Danville Office of Economic Development & Tourism, Southside Tech Services, and Community Investment Collaborative.

Tickets for the RISE Summit are on sale now at the early-bird rate of $50 per person through September 30th, then prices increase to $65 per person on October 1st. A limited number of student tickets are available. A limited number of scholarships are available for those needing financial assistance. To learn more and purchase a ticket, visit https://sovarise.com/summit-2024. 

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About RISE Collaborative

RISE Collaborative is a regional initiative to create a network of entrepreneurs and business service providers across Southern Virginia (GO Virginia Region 3). The initiative is co-managed by two primary entities: Longwood Office of Community & Economic Development (Farmville, Va.), which includes the Longwood Small Business Development Center (serving the region), and SOVA Innovation Hub (South Boston, Va.). RISE Collaborative provides guidance to entrepreneurs and business owners through a number of ongoing programs every year, including a virtual business bootcamp, the RISE Navigator program, the regional Business Pitch Competition, and more. For more information, visit sovarise.com.

About SOVA Innovation Hub

The SOVA Innovation Hub is a non-profit organization with a mission to spark economic transformation in Southern Virginia. The SOVA Innovation Hub offers programs to inspire people to pursue digital careers and entrepreneurship. The SOVA Innovation Hub offers a state-of-the-art building in South Boston, VA with a coworking space, a training space, and the Microsoft Experience Center. The SOVA Innovation Hub also serves as co-host for the RISE Collaborative regional entrepreneurship initiative. To learn more, visit sovainnovationhub.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: 

Liz Smith | SOVA Innovation Hub | hello@sovainnovationhub.com 

Laura Coleman | RISE Collaborative | navigator@sovarise.com