RISE Leadership Lab for Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Builders

Are you a business resource provider or economic developer who wants to grow your leadership skills and help shape the future of our region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem?

The RISE Leadership Lab is your chance to be part of a hands-on learning experience with fellow changemakers. This program is designed for people who care about collaboration, innovation, and making a real impact on the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Southern Virginia region.

What to Expect

As a participant, you’ll:

• Build practical leadership skills and knowledge to enhance your ability to support entrepreneurs

• Learn how to work better with others across roles and organizations 

• Explore strategies for collaborative leadership in complex systems

• Help shape the vision for the RISE regional ecosystem-building initiative

• Deepen relationships with professional colleagues within the ecosystem-building profession

The Core Cohort includes members of the RISE 2024–2026 Project Team, and the invitation to participate is open to economic developers, entrepreneurial ecosystem builders, and business service providers who are interested in contributing to the development of the regional entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem. If you can only attend some of the sessions, you can still participate as a Learning Partner.

Program Overview & Time Commitment 

• No cost to join, but your time and commitment to participate in interactive sessions are required

• Six (6) sessions total, three (3) hours each, including three (3) in-person and three (3) virtual sessions, between June-November 2025

• In-person sessions will include a working lunch (meal provided) as well as an optional tour of the meeting location after the workshop

• Includes optional, independent review of recommended resources between meetings, using Google Classroom

Be Part of the 2025 RISE Leadership Lab

This is more than a leadership program—it’s a chance to co-create the future of ecosystem-building in our region. Complete the form linked below to express your interest in being part of the first cohort.

Workshop Content and Schedule

1. Leading in a Team
   • Explore what makes a strong, effective team and how to incorporate these elements into your team.
   • Virtual Session – June 17, 2025  |  9:00am-12pm on Zoom
2. Communication Styles
   • Explore your communication style and how to effectively use your strengths and weaknesses to work more efficiently with your team.
   • In-Person Session – July 8, 2025  |  10:00am-1:00pm at Dalton IDEA Center (26 Fayette Street, Martinsville, VA)
   • Lunch Provided  |  Followed by Optional Tour 
3. Collaboration in Action
   • Explore key components to successful collaboration and how to incorporate them into your work and relationships as an entrepreneurial ecosystem builder.
   • Virtual Session – July 15, 2025  |  9:00am-12pm on Zoom
4. Cultivating Culture
   • Identify your individual and organizational values and learn more about transformational leadership and culture change.
   • In-Person Session – August 5, 2025  |  10:00am-1:00pm at the SEED Innovation Hub (116 South Street, Farmville, VA) 
   • Lunch Provided  |  Followed by Optional Tour 
5. Coaching Entrepreneurs Towards Self-Leadership
   • Develop your leadership style and create a model for empowering entrepreneurs.
   • Virtual Session – September 9, 2025 |  9:00am-12pm on Zoom 
6. Strategic Planning Session
   • Work together to map out actionable strategies for advancing the RISE regional ecosystem initiative.
   • In-Person Session – October 14, 2025  |  10:00am-1:00pm at the SOVA Innovation Hub (715 Wilborn Avenue, South Boston, VA)
   • Lunch Provided

Meet the Workshop Facilitators

Be Part of the 2025 RISE Leadership Lab

This is more than a leadership program—it’s a chance to co-create the future of ecosystem-building in our region. Complete the form linked below to express your interest in being part of the first cohort.