Global Entrepreneurship Week is November 16-22, 2026.

November 16, 2026 | 6:00pm – 7:30pm

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 

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 18, 2026 | Time: TBD

Location: TBD

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

Location: Zoom

The RISE Grapevine Monthly Virtual Meetup is a virtual gathering of diverse, creative, and inclusive entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders from across Southern Virginia. During each monthly meeting, we share updates from local and regional entrepreneurs support organizations. Entrepreneurs of all types are welcome to attend! Learn more about the RISE Grapevine Entrepreneur Network HERE.

Friday, November 20, 2026 – 8:30am – 5:00pm

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.

October is full of opportunities to connect, learn, and move your business forward. Whether you’re exploring a new business idea, looking for ways to grow, or ready to build new skills, this month is a great time to take your next step.

RISE and our partners are offering workshops, networking opportunities, and business resources throughout October to support entrepreneurs and small businesses across Southern Virginia.

AI for Business: What AI Is, What It Can Do, How to Use It

Thursday, October 1 , 2026 | 12pm-1:30pm | SOVA Innovation Hub

Learn what AI is, how it can support your business, and practical ways to start using it for marketing, communication, research, content creation, and everyday tasks. No AI experience is needed.

Overview of Federal Programs and Small Business Certifications

Wednesday, October 14 , 2026 | 12pm-1:30pm | SOVA Innovation Hub

Learn about federal small business certification programs and how they can help eligible businesses compete for government contracting opportunities. This free workshop with Virginia APEX will cover qualifications, requirements, and application processes for programs including HUBZone, 8(a), WOSB/EDWOSB, and VOSB/SDVOSB.

RISE Grapevine Virtual Meetup for Entrepreneurs

Thursday, October 15 , 2026 | 12pm-1pm | Zoom

The RISE Grapevine Monthly Virtual Meetup brings together entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders from across Southern Virginia for connection and resource sharing. 

Startup Playbook: Idea to Income

Thursday, October 15 , 2026 | 5:30pm – 7:00pm | SPC4Life

Have a business idea but aren’t sure what comes next? This beginner-friendly workshop will help you refine your idea, understand your customer, explore costs and revenue, and identify practical next steps.

Participants can also schedule a free one-on-one follow-up with a RISE Business Navigator for personalized guidance, resource connections, and support turning their idea into action.

AI for Business: What AI Is, What It Can Do, How to Use It

Tuesday, October 20 , 2026 | 5:30pm – 7:00pm | SOVA Innovation Hub

Learn what AI is, how it can support your business, and practical ways to start using it for marketing, communication, research, content creation, and everyday tasks. No AI experience is needed.

Startup Playbook: Idea to Income

Thursday, October 22 , 2026 | 5:30pm – 7:00pm | South Hill Regional Library

Connect with fellow entrepreneurs, business owners, farmers, and aspiring entrepreneurs at the Mecklenburg Entrepreneur Meetup. Hosted by RISE and Marilynn Cabiness, these informal gatherings provide an opportunity to build relationships, share ideas, and learn about local and regional resources that support business growth. Whether you’re just getting started or have been in business for years, you’re invited to join the conversation. No registration is required.

Upcoming Events Hosted by State Agencies

Intro to Selling to Virginia – Workshop #1

Wednesday, October 7, 2026 and October 21, 2026| 10am – 11:30am | Online

This session will provide a high level overview of the Commonwealth’s purchasing process, including purchasing policies that affect how buyers use the eVA system to “shop” and the eVA tools used by our buying community. You’ll also get a guided tour of the eVA website as we discuss the publicly accessible tools & resources every business should know about if they’re interested in selling to Virginia. And if you’re not already an eVA registered Vendor, you’ll learn how to get signed-up, as well as where to go for help at any time!

Hosted by the eVA outreach team with the Virginia Division Small Business & Supplier Diversity.

Generating Leads Using eVA – Workshop #2

Tuesday, October 13, 2026and Wednesday, October 28 | 10am – 12pm | Online

This advanced workshop is the 2nd in the eVA series & focuses on lead generation. This hands-on session explores the public transparency tools available on the eVA website, including the Report & Resource Center and the new “power” search. You’ll learn how to identify buyers who are buying what you sell, determine prices being paid for goods/services, identify who’s getting business (is it you or your competition). We’ll also walk through the Virginia Business Opportunities public posting page – featuring collaboration tools like B2B Connect & VIBE – as we discuss how & when eVA builds a lead list for you and why rating your leads is important.

Hosted by the eVA outreach team with the Virginia Division Small Business & Supplier Diversity.

Upcoming Events Hosted by the Longwood Small Business Development Center &  Virginia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) 

Startup Strategies

Thursday, October 15, 2026 |  9am – 10am   |   Online

Your Social Media Game Plan: Platfoms, Content & Insights

Tuesday, October 20, 2026 |  12:00pm – 1:00pm   |   Online

Learn how to choose the right social media platforms for your business, make the most of the content you already create, and use your data to understand what’s working. This beginner-friendly webinar offers practical tips to strengthen your social media presence and generate leads.

Live and On-Demand Webinars

Multiple Dates  |   Online

No matter where you are in the state of Virginia, you can access virtual training programs and seminars on a variety of topics including business planning, marketing, management, legal considerations, accounting and bookkeeping, financial analysis, technology, access to capital, and business basics. 

Hosted by the Virginia SBDCs (Small Business Development Centers)

Upcoming Chamber of Commerce Events

Chamber of Commerce Events

Multiple Dates |  Various Locations

Many of Chamber of Commerce organizations host monthly networking events and ongoing training opportunities for businesses of all sizes and types. 

The 2026 RISE Summit brought entrepreneurs, business owners, innovators, and community partners together for a full day of learning, connection, and new ideas at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research in Danville.

This year’s Summit focused on innovation in business, manufacturing, and agriculture, with sessions designed to give attendees practical information they could take back to their businesses and communities.

And the numbers tell part of the story:

19 localities represented. 18 speakers. 18 industries represented. 12 exhibitors. 8 sponsors. 15 sessions.

Most importantly, the Summit created countless opportunities for people to meet, share ideas, and make connections across Virginia and North Carolina.

A Summit Built for Entrepreneurs

Business owners and entrepreneurs made up 57% of Summit attendees, making them the largest group represented. Another 10% were considering or planning to start a business, while 10% were employees of businesses. Economic developers and entrepreneurship support organizations made up 23% of attendees.

Throughout the day, attendees could choose sessions across Business Skills, Access to Capital, and Innovation, with speakers bringing their own experience and expertise to the conversation.

Peter Raines of Get YOU Found helped attendees identify practical ways to put AI to work in their businesses, while Jocelyn Forest of the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center worked with aspiring entrepreneurs on moving from an idea to a business model. Crystal Hairston of SocializeMe LLC explored how stronger messaging can move customers from awareness to action.

Karen White of the Virginia Small Business Financing Authority and DaShanna Carr of Community Investment Collaborative tackled questions around money, growth, and access to capital. Kathy Deacon of the Virginia Department of Small Business & Supplier Diversity led sessions on Virginia’s eVA procurement system and SWaM Certification, helping businesses better understand opportunities to do business with the Commonwealth.

Taurean Russell of the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research shared practical lessons on cybersecurity and operational resilience, while Dr. Scott Lowman of IALR explored entrepreneurial opportunities in Controlled Environment Agriculture and led a tour of the CEA Innovation Center.

Innovation, Resources, and Opportunities

Innovation was a major focus of this year’s Summit.

Adam Reeves of SOVA Fab Lab joined Amy Reed of P&HCC Dalton IDEA Center, Autumn Evans of The Spark Innovation Center, Dana Knott of Longwood SBDC, and Evan Jones of SEED Innovation Hub for a conversation about makerspaces, product development, and resources available to help entrepreneurs turn ideas into products.

Dr. Scott Lowman of the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research also gave attendees a closer look at innovation happening in the region through a tour of IALR’s Controlled Environment Agriculture Innovation Center.

The day also included a conversation with Kelsey Robertson of TECHnista and a regional innovation panel featuring Gretchen Clark of Hurt & Proffitt, Dr. Scott Lowman, and Angela Yancey of Hitachi Energy, moderated by Kiana Dillard of the West Piedmont Planning District Commission.

More Than a Day of Sessions

The RISE Summit is about more than what happens at the front of the room.

It’s about the conversation with another business owner between sessions. The introduction to a resource you didn’t know existed. The idea sparked by a speaker. The connection that turns into a collaboration months later.

With people representing 19 communities across Virginia and North Carolina, those connections stretched well beyond the walls of IALR.

The goal was for attendees to leave not only with new information, but also with clear next steps, new relationships, and resources they can continue to use after the Summit.

September is a great time for a Fall Reset: Refocus, Realign, and Finish Strong. As we head into the final months of the year, take time to focus on your business, revisit your goals, and identify the next steps that can help you finish the year with momentum.

This month, RISE offers workshops, networking opportunities, and business resources to help entrepreneurs across Southern Virginia learn, connect, and grow.

RISE Grapevine Virtual Meetup for Entrepreneurs

Thursday, September 17 , 2026 | 12pm-1pm | Zoom

The RISE Grapevine Monthly Virtual Meetup brings together entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders from across Southern Virginia for connection and resource sharing. 

Startup Playbook: Idea to Income

Thursday, September 24 , 2026 | 5:00pm – 6:30pm | R.T. Arnold Public Library

Have a business idea but aren’t sure what comes next? This beginner-friendly workshop will help you refine your idea, understand your customer, explore costs and revenue, and identify practical next steps.

Participants can also schedule a free one-on-one follow-up with a RISE Business Navigator for personalized guidance, resource connections, and support turning their idea into action.

Brunswick Entrepreneur Meetups

Tuesday, September 29, 2026 | 5:30pm – 7:00pm | SPC4Life

Connect with fellow entrepreneurs, business owners, farmers, and aspiring entrepreneurs at the Brunswick Entrepreneur Meetup. Hosted by RISE and Marilynn Cabiness, these informal gatherings provide an opportunity to build relationships, share ideas, and learn about local and regional resources that support business growth. Whether you’re launching a new venture, growing an existing business, or simply looking to expand your network, you’re invited to join the conversation. No registration is required. Stop by, grab a coffee or a bite to eat from The Story Cafe, and connect with others in the local business community.

Upcoming Events Hosted by State Agencies

Generating Leads Using eVA – Workshop #2

Wednesday, September 2, 2026, September 16, 2026, and September 30, 2026 | 10am – 12pm | Online

This advanced workshop is the 2nd in the eVA series & focuses on lead generation. This hands-on session explores the public transparency tools available on the eVA website, including the Report & Resource Center and the new “power” search. You’ll learn how to identify buyers who are buying what you sell, determine prices being paid for goods/services, identify who’s getting business (is it you or your competition). We’ll also walk through the Virginia Business Opportunities public posting page – featuring collaboration tools like B2B Connect & VIBE – as we discuss how & when eVA builds a lead list for you and why rating your leads is important.

Hosted by the eVA outreach team with the Virginia Division Small Business & Supplier Diversity.

Intro to Selling to Virginia – Workshop #1

Wednesday, September 9, 2026 and September 23, 2026| 10am – 11:30am | Online

This session will provide a high level overview of the Commonwealth’s purchasing process, including purchasing policies that affect how buyers use the eVA system to “shop” and the eVA tools used by our buying community. You’ll also get a guided tour of the eVA website as we discuss the publicly accessible tools & resources every business should know about if they’re interested in selling to Virginia. And if you’re not already an eVA registered Vendor, you’ll learn how to get signed-up, as well as where to go for help at any time!

Hosted by the eVA outreach team with the Virginia Division Small Business & Supplier Diversity.

Upcoming Events Hosted by the Longwood Small Business Development Center &  Virginia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) 

Cybersecurity on a Budget

Tuesday, September 15, 2026 |  12:30pm – 1:30pm   |   Online

Join Quiana Gainey, Virginia SBDC Cyber Industry Expert, to learn the Top 10 Security Controls every small business should put in place to better protect its data and operations. Quiana will share practical, affordable tools and best practices that can make a meaningful difference in reducing cyber risk without stretching your budget.

Startup Strategies

Thursday, September 17, 2026 |  9am – 10am   |   Online

Success Through e-Commerce

Tuesday, September 22, 2026 |  12:0pm – 1:30pm   |   Online

Interested in growing your online sales? Join Cameron Nelson, CEO of Tenzing Startup Consultants, to explore website and e-commerce options, how to choose the right platform for your business, and what to consider when upgrading your online presence. You’ll also learn how to set up and manage an online storefront or service portal and use marketing and data to help increase sales.

Live and On-Demand Webinars

Multiple Dates  |   Online

No matter where you are in the state of Virginia, you can access virtual training programs and seminars on a variety of topics including business planning, marketing, management, legal considerations, accounting and bookkeeping, financial analysis, technology, access to capital, and business basics. 

Hosted by the Virginia SBDCs (Small Business Development Centers)

Upcoming Chamber of Commerce Events

Chamber of Commerce Events

Multiple Dates |  Various Locations

Many of Chamber of Commerce organizations host monthly networking events and ongoing training opportunities for businesses of all sizes and types. 

About this Workshop

From Factory Floor to Field Row: Cybersecurity as a Pillar of Operational Resilience

About the Speaker

Taurean Russell

Institute for Advanced Learning & Research, Vice President of Information Technology (IT) and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

Taurean Russell joined the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research in October 2024 as the first Vice President of Information Technology (IT) and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). With more than 20 years of specialized and diverse expertise in information technology operations and cybersecurity, Russell is an accomplished IT professional with a history of leading efforts to strengthen the resiliency and security of organizations in highly regulated industries.

Russell previously served as Deputy Chief Information Officer and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Winston-Salem State University, where he managed the university’s IT infrastructure and security programs. In 2023, Cyber Defense Magazine recognized him as one of the Top Global CISOs and in 2026 he received the ONCON Top 100 Information Security Professional award. He has held numerous leadership roles across diverse industries, including healthcare, higher education, manufacturing, and the U.S. Army. His expertise includes information security, risk management, IT operations and strategic planning.

Russell earned degrees from American Military University, including an associate’s, bachelor’s and Master’s in Information Technology.

About this Workshop

Exploring Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Controlled Environment Agriculture

About the Speaker

Dr. Scott Lowman

Institute for Advanced Learning & Research, VP of Applied Research

Dr. Scott Lowman joined the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) in 2014 and was named Vice President of Applied Research in 2022. Prior to joining IALR, Lowman worked in the pharmaceutical industry and, in 2003, co-founded Lynchburg Grows, a non-profit urban farm and job training center in Lynchburg, Va. As a trained molecular biologist, Lowman has championed work in biotechnology and robotic imaging to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability. In 2020, Lowman teamed with Virginia Tech to launch the Controlled Environment Agriculture Innovation Center on IALR’s campus. The center, along with the Applied Research division at IALR, focuses on supporting industry, governmental and academic partners to help drive economic transformation in the Southern Virginia region.

Lowman supports this mission in his civic life as well, serving on the Town Council of Altavista, as President of Altavista on Track, and as a member of Altavista’s Economic Development Authority. In recognition of his work, Lowman was named a 2017 Outstanding Recent Graduate Alumnus at Virginia Tech and was presented the Commonwealth Environmental Leadership Award from the Waldorf Foundation. Lowman earned his bachelor’s degree in biology with Honors from Virginia Tech, his master’s in biology from the College of William and Mary, and his Ph.D. from Virginia Tech.

About this Workshop

Your First AI Win: Find One Business Task AI Can Improve Today

About the Speaker

Peter Raines

Get YOU Found, Co-Owner and Chief Technology Officer

Peter Raines is an AI practitioner, educator, and business technology consultant with nearly 20 years of experience working with neural networks and artificial intelligence, including practical applications of large language models, generative AI, workflow automation, and AI-supported software development.

He is co-owner and Chief Technology Officer of Get YOU Found Digital Marketing, where he helps businesses and organizations translate emerging technology into practical tools, stronger systems, and measurable results. Peter holds a degree in physics and CMIT from Guilford College and has two decades of experience teaching technical topics to non-technical audiences in an approachable, hands-on way.

As lead facilitator and curriculum partner for SOVA AI Connect, Peter focuses on helping entrepreneurs, growing businesses, and regional organizations understand AI, use it responsibly, and apply it to real work – from better prompting and repeatable workflows to data analysis, marketing, business development, and agentic AI systems.

About this Workshop

Opening Doors to Virginia’s Procurement Landscape – Part 2: Overview of SBSD’s SWaM Certification Program

About the Speaker

Kathy Deacon

Business Services Manager, Southwest Virginia, Virginia Department of Small Business & Supplier Diversity (SBSD)

Kathy Deacon serves as the Business Services Manager for Southwest Virginia at the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD). In this role, she champions the growth and success of small businesses, entrepreneurs, and innovators by facilitating access to education, resources, and opportunities within Virginia’s SWaM (Small, Women-owned, and Minority-owned) procurement program and the broader state contracting system.

Kathy brings a wealth of experience in economic development, having held leadership positions across the Commonwealth of Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. Kathy is a small business owner herself, and understands firsthand the challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurship. Her work is driven by a deep commitment to empowering others to build and sustain successful ventures across the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond.

About this Workshop

Opening Doors to Virginia’s Procurement Landscape – Part 1: Navigating eVA, the Commonwealth’s Online Marketplace for Procurement

About the Speaker

Kathy Deacon

Business Services Manager, Southwest Virginia, Virginia Department of Small Business & Supplier Diversity (SBSD)

Kathy Deacon serves as the Business Services Manager for Southwest Virginia at the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD). In this role, she champions the growth and success of small businesses, entrepreneurs, and innovators by facilitating access to education, resources, and opportunities within Virginia’s SWaM (Small, Women-owned, and Minority-owned) procurement program and the broader state contracting system.

Kathy brings a wealth of experience in economic development, having held leadership positions across the Commonwealth of Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. Kathy is a small business owner herself, and understands firsthand the challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurship. Her work is driven by a deep commitment to empowering others to build and sustain successful ventures across the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond.