Global Entrepreneurship Week is November 16-22, 2026.
For the 7th consecutive year, SOVA Innovation Hub and RISE Collaborative will celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week to spotlight the entrepreneurial spirit and activity across Southern Virginia.
About Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW)
Removing barriers and welcoming all.
10 million people. 40,000 events. 200 Countries.
November 16-22, 2026.
GEW Southern Virginia - Schedule of Events
November 16, 2026 | 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Build A Marketing Plan You'll Actually Use
Location: Zoom
When you’re running a business, marketing can easily become a long list of things you “should” be doing. This two-hour workshop with Letterpress Communications will help you cut through the noise and focus on what matters most: who you’re trying to reach, what you want to accomplish, what you need to say and where you need to show up. You’ll identify audiences, goals, key messages and marketing channels, then map out a manageable 90-day marketing plan you can actually use.
November 17, 2026 | 5:30pm – 7:00pm
AI for Business: Practical Prompting for Everyday Work
Location: South Boston, VA – SOVA Innovation Hub
Learn how to write clearer, more effective prompts and get more useful and reliable results from AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Copilot.
This hands-on session covers a simple structure for telling AI what you need, providing the right context, and guiding it when the first response misses the mark. You’ll practice improving prompts, asking for revisions, and checking AI-generated work for accuracy and usefulness.
During the session, you’ll create at least one prompt for a real task from your own work and learn how to turn it into a template you can use again.
You’ll also learn what information to avoid sharing with AI and simple ways to review AI-generated work before using it.
No advanced AI experience is needed.
November 17, 2026 | 5:30pm – 7:00pm
RISE Startup Playbook: Idea to Income
Location: South Hill, VA – Cabiness Coaching & Consulting
Do you have a business idea but not sure what comes next?
The Startup Playbook is a beginner-friendly program designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs turn ideas into action. Whether you’re just getting started or refining an idea, you’ll gain practical tools, guidance, and connections to help move your business forward.
During this interactive workshop, you’ll learn how to:
- Refine your business idea and identify your target customer
- Explore startup costs and potential revenue streams
- Build your business model using the Business Model Canvas
- Connect with local and regional startup resources
Ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs, side hustlers, creatives, makers, and anyone exploring business ownership.
November 18, 2026 | 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Finance Your Own Business with CIC
Location: SOVA Innovation Hub
Finance Your Business (FYB) is a hands-on series that moves entrepreneurs from ideas to true financial readiness. Participants build their businesses the way lenders evaluate them: grounded in validation, clear numbers, and solid planning. FYB is not a shortcut to funding. It is a pathway to confidence, clarity, and stronger capital conversations.
November 19, 2026 | 12:00pm-1:00pm
RISE Grapevine Monthly Virtual Meetup
The RISE Grapevine Monthly Virtual Meetup brings together entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders from across Southern Virginia to build connections, share resources, and support business growth. This month, we’re celebrating Women’s Entrepreneurship Day by highlighting the achievements, contributions, and impact of women entrepreneurs who are driving innovation, creating opportunities, and strengthening our regional economy.
Friday, November 20, 2026 – 8:30am – 5:00pm
Focus Friday: Free Coworking Day
Join us for Focus Friday at the SOVA Innovation Hub and enjoy a free day of coworking! Find a comfortable workspace, connect to high-speed Wi-Fi, and enjoy coffee and donuts while you work.
Space is limited, and registration is required. Use discount code SOVAIHDFP when booking to reserve your free day.