Training & Events for Entrepreneurs and Business Owners

Is your dream to start, build, or grow your business in Southern Virginia? You don’t have to go on this journey alone. RISE Collaborative centers you in a supportive ecosystem, where you can receive support from instructors who are trained to help your start and grow your business. You also have the opportunity to connect and grow with other innovators on their own journeys to success.

Current and Upcoming Programs

RISE Navigator Program

RISE Navigator Program

Get connected to resources to start, grow, or scale your business

RISE Resource Map

RISE Resource Map

Find local, regional, and state resources to start, grow, or scale your business

RISE Grapevine Entrepreneur Network

RISE Grapevine Entrepreneur Network

Monthly Virtual Meetups

RISE Summit

RISE Summit

October 18 & 19, 2024

CIC Southern Virginia Entrepreneur Workshop

CIC Southern Virginia Entrepreneur Workshop

Powered by RISE Collaborative

Access to Capital Resources

Access to Capital Resources

Explore ways to access financial, knowledge, and social capital

Looking for more Training & Events? 

Longwood Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

Longwood Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

Statewide Network with Local Business Consultants

Chamber of Commerce

Chamber of Commerce

Find your local chamber of commerce and explore statewide chambers

News for Entrepreneurs and Businesses

Join our email newsletter for updates on events and training for entrepreneurs in Southern Virginia.

Past Programs

Hosted by RISE Collaborative

Beginning in early 2021, the SOVA Innovation Hub and the Longwood Small Business Development Center partnered to develop and deliver RISE Collaborative training and events for entrepreneurs. Our first two years of programs was 2021-2023, during a time when many people in our communities were still experiencing the impacts of the 2020 pandemic. We hosted four cohorts of the RISE Business Bootcamp, two Business Pitch Competitions, many networking events and workshops including RISE & Shine Meetups and the RISE Grapevine, as well as student entrepreneurship programs.  As time goes on, we will continue to evolve our programs to meet the needs of the entrepreneurs we serve. Below are a few of the programs we have offered in the past.

RISE Business Bootcamp

RISE Business Bootcamp

April 2021 - June 2024

We hosted 5 cohorts including 64 entrepreneurs who completed the RISE Business Bootcamp

RISE Business Pitch Competition

RISE Business Pitch Competition

March 2023 & June 2024

We hosted 2 pitch competitions with over $28,000 in prize funds distributed to 13 businesses

RISE & Shine Entrepreneur Meetups

RISE & Shine Entrepreneur Meetups

April 2021 - June 2024

We hosted morning meetups for entrepreneurs both online and in-person in Halifax, Mecklenburg, Brunswick, and Prince Edward Counties