Starting, building, or growing your business doesn’t have to be a journey you take alone. RISE Collaborative centers you in a supportive ecosystem, where you can connect and grow with other innovators on their own journeys to success. Ask questions, get advice, share ideas, receive encouragement, make connections, and let the community empower you to reach new heights. Use our resources to grow your business in an environment that welcomes founders of all experience levels.

Join Our Online Entrepreneur Community!

SOVA Entrepreneurs Resource Hub

The SOVA RISE entrepreneur community is powered by Startup Space. Join our online community to build your network.

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On the go? Startup Space is available as an app on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

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We have several programs to help you through your journey, whether you are a member of the community, a college student, or in high school.

Community

CO.STARTERS Core

CO.STARTERS Core is a ten-week, cohort-based program that equips entrepreneurs of all kinds with the insights, relationships, and tools needed to turn business ideas into action. Fill out the survey to be notified when the next cohort application opens.

Fill Out the Survey

CO.STARTERS Get Started Workshop

Whether just getting started, stuck on a particular issue, or in need of a refresher, attend one of these 3-hour workshops to get a jumpstart on your business idea.

Register Here

RISE & SHINE Virtual Meetup

Block time to refill your cup and Zoom in to hear about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship and ask questions from special guests, and network with other entrepreneurs.

RSVP Here

Youth

CO.STARTERS Generator

Generator is a modular program that helps teens in grades 8-12 explore their passions through generating, testing, and launching ideas.

Learn More and Apply

Next generation Of Work (NOW)

Next generation Of Work (NOW) is built to help the next generation of talent get better at collective problem solving. Squads of three to four diverse students, coached by NOW mentors, will work together to solve a real problem for a real business and propose a solution that will be pitched to the business partner at a public Pitch Event. 
Learn More and Apply

District C Coaching Institute

For Teachers!

Become a District C Certified Coach to faciliate the Teamship program in your classroom.

Learn More and Apply

Collegiate

Collegiate Business Plan Competition

College students – commit to this 6-month journey to enhance your college experience – get the education, skills, mentorship, and motivation necessary to create a viable start-up company in Southern Virginia! An info session is being held 10/14 at 4:30 for students to learn more.

Register for Info Session

Past, Present, and Future 

The partnerships that led to RISE Collaborative began several years ago, in 2019. GO Virginia Region 3 contracted with MBC and Longwood University to facilitate the development of a regional entrepreneurship and innovation strategy to guide the Region 3 Council on evaluation of funding opportunities related to these topics. The strategy was adopted by the Region 3 Council in October 2020. Meanwhile, in January 2020, MBC and Microsoft created the SOVA Innovation Hub, a non-profit dedicated to transforming the regional economy through digital skills and entrepreneurship. The SOVA Innovation Hub and Longwood then partnered to propose a pilot project to begin implementation of the strategy. This pilot project and related efforts to support entrepreneurship ecosystem development is now branded as RISE Collaborative.

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Get in Touch

hello@sovarise.com

(434) 533-5163