The RISE Regional Innovation Summit for Entrepreneurs on Saturday, October 19, 2024 in Danville, VA will include networking opportunities and breakout sessions featuring amazing speakers to support entrepreneurs at each stage of business, from ideation to starting, growing, and scaling.

Breakout Session Description

Agency Overview: Virginia Department of Small Business & Supplier Diversity

45 MINUTE SESSION

TRACK: ACCESS TO CAPITAL

Join Willis A. Morris, the Director of the Virginia Department of Small Business & Supplier Diversity (SBSD), for an informative session that highlights the agency’s commitment to fostering access, opportunity, efficiency, and inclusion. This session will provide an overview of SBSD’s mission to support small businesses across the Commonwealth through certification, financing, business development, and compliance. Small businesses are vital to Virginia’s economy, and this session will help entrepreneurs and business owners understand how SBSD can provide resources to help them thrive.

Learning objectives for this workshop include:

By the end of this session, attendees will:

  • Understand the key components of the Virginia business certification programs, including SWaM, DBE, SDV, and ESO certifications, and how they can benefit small businesses.
  • Gain insights into financing opportunities available through the Virginia Small Business Financing Authority (VSBFA) to promote business growth and economic development.
  • Learn about SBSD’s business development and outreach initiatives, including workshops, webinars, and one-on-one counseling, and how to access these resources.
  • Explore how SBSD’s Sourcing & Compliance division supports small business growth through data analysis and sourcing strategies to meet SWaM goals.
  • Identify strategies for leveraging SBSD resources to enhance business operations and secure economic opportunities in the Commonwealth.

Speaker: Willis A. Morris, Director, Virginia Department of Small Business & Supplier Diversity

Agency Overview: Virginia Department of Small Business & Supplier Diversity with Willis A. Morris

About the Speaker

Willis A. Morris

Director, Virginia Department of Small Business & Supplier Diversity (SBSD)

Willis A. Morris has served as the Director of the Virginia Department of Small Business & Supplier Diversity (SBSD) since 2022. In this role, he leads the implementation of the department’s mission and programs. 

The Virginia Department of Small Business & Supplier Diversity (SBSD) strives to provide education, assistance, and access to capital, generating employment and economic growth for small businesses in Virginia. Learn more at https://sbsd.virginia.gov/

Willis A. Morris

Willis A. Morris

Virginia Department of Small Business & Supplier Diversity

Register TODAY for the RISE Summit for Entrepreneurs

The RISE Regional Innovation Summit for Entrepreneurs will be held Saturday, October 19, 2024 at the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research in Danville, VA. Don't miss out the unique opportunity to connect with peers and resources designed to help you start, grow, or scale your business in Southern Virginia.