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2012: Year of the Entrepreneur

Governor McDonnell declared 2012 “The Year of the Entrepreneur” in Virginia, saying “Virginia is an incubator for good ideas and we have the right tax, regulatory and business climate for entrepreneurs to turn those ideas into job-creating businesses. We have one of the best K-12 education systems in the country where we not only tell our young people to dream big, but more importantly provide tools for learners of all ages to follow through on their dreams. We have some of the top research institutions in the country over a wide spectrum of fields, with the infrastructure to develop ideas and begin to put them into practice. Perhaps most importantly, we have a community of entrepreneurial individuals who in spite of the very real risk of failure put their energy and sweat and savings into creating opportunities for themselves and others. I am declaring 2012 “The Year of the Entrepreneur” in Virginia to recognize these individuals, to study why they’re successful in Virginia and to inspire others in Virginia and around the world to turn big ideas into reality here in the Commonwealth.

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"Year of the Entrepreneur"

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Read the Governor's proclamation
 
Read The Year of the Entrepreneur news release
 
View the Kick Off press conference
 
View Photo Gallery of the press conference

View the Entrepreneurial Town Hall

 

Upcoming Events


Click here to see a listing of past events.

 

Past Events
September 14, 2012
September 7, 2012

  • Jefferson Innovation Summit for the Commonwealth, hosted by the Virginia Governor's Office and Darden's Batten Institute at the University of Virginia
    Jefferson Innovation Forum
    For more details visit the Jefferson Innovation Summit website at http://jeffersoninnovationsummit.org/commonwealth.php 9:30 AM - 06:00 PM

September 1, 2012

  • Governor McDonnell Holds Small Business Summit, hosted by the National Federation of Independent Businesses

August 19, 2012
August 4, 2012

  • The Community Investment Collaborative Inaugural Entrepreneurship Class Graduation
    4:00 PM - 07:00 PM
    CitySpace on the Downtown Mall
    100 5th Street NE,
    Charlottesville, VA 22902

July 11, 2012

  • Building the Foundation for your New Business: Seven Steps to Start Your New Business
    Entrepreneurship is the American Dream. Unfortunately, of the 1 million businesses started each year, most of them eventually fail. The one common theme may be a lack of planning. If you are considering the possibility of starting a business, this free seminar will provide information that may help your business be among the 20 percent that survive and thrive. Prepare to start a successful business by evaluating your entrepreneurial abilities, marketing strategies, financial resources, legal form of organization, and receive tips to prepare and present your business plan.

    Seating is limited and registration is required! 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
    Longwood SBDC
    515 South Main Street
    Farmville, VA 23909
    COST: FREE

    REGISTRATION REQUIRED:
    (434)395-2086 / baldwinjr2@longwood.edu

July 1, 2012

  • Second Meeting of Governor's Roundtable on Entrepreneurship in Virginia

June 21, 2012

  • Start-Up Competition
    The Trilogy’s third and final installment, to occur in late June. This culminating event will see several entrepreneurs compete before a panel of judges for the title of Region’s Next Best Start-Up and a $10,000 cash prize! The event will occur in conjunction with the First Anniversary of i.e.*. Event sponsored by Tumblr. Celebration of Innovation Reception occurs immediately following the competition in Rhythm Hall. 7:00 PM - 09:00 PM
    Richmond Center Stage
    More Information...
    Register...

June 13, 2012

  • Building the Foundation For Your New Business: Seven Steps to Start Your New Business
    Entrepreneurship is the American Dream. Unfortunately, of the 1 million businesses started each year, most of them eventually fail. The one common theme may be a lack of planning. If you are considering the possibility of
    starting a business, this free seminar will provide information that may help your business be among the 20 percent that survive and thrive. Prepare to start a successful business by evaluating your entrepreneurial abilities, marketing strategies, financial resources, legal form of organization, and receive tips to prepare and present your business plan.

    Seating is limited and registration is required!

    REGISTRATION:
    (434)395-2086 / baldwinjr2@longwood.edu 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
    Longwood SBDC
    515 South Main Street
    Farmville, VA 23909
    cost is free

June 1, 2012

  • Governor McDonnell Announces Business Appreciation Week

May 11, 2012
May 3, 2012
May 1, 2012

  • The Idea Showcase
    VA Secretary of Commerce Jim Cheng will facilitate a conversation featuring local successful entrepreneurs that will inspire would-be entrepreneurs to "go for it" and compete for $10,000 in the upcoming Start-Up Competition. (That's right. $10,000, compliments of our award sponsor Cherry, Bekaert & Holland! Plus six months of free space in the New Richmond Ventures office.) 5:30 PM - 08:00 PM
    Library of Virginia
    800 E. Broad Street
    More Information...
    Register...

April 27, 2012

  • Start Norfolk
    Start Norfolk is a weekend long event bringing together individuals of different mind and skill sets— entrepreneurs, engineers, developers, designers, and business people—with the goal of building a viable startup over a weekend. http://www.startnorfolk.com/ Runs from April 27 - 29th

April 24, 2012
April 1, 2012

  • Meeting of Governor's Roundtable on Entrepreneurship in Virginia

March 30, 2012

  • "Year of the Entrepreneur" Veteran-Entrepreneur Roundtable
    Governor McDonnell will hold a “Year of the Entrepreneur” Veteran-Entrepreneur Roundtable.  The governor and Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security Terrie Suit will join student veterans, veteran-entrepreneurs and leaders in the military community for a discussion on entrepreneurship in Virginia and the needs of established and future entrepreneurs in the veteran community.   9:30 AM
    Old Dominion University
    Innovation Research Park Two – Conference Room
    4211 Monarch Way
    Norfolk

March 29, 2012

  • Lunch N Learn workshop with Mark Cartwright
    Sponsored by Hampton University Business Incubator 11:30 AM

March 24, 2012
March 22, 2012

  • Venture Forum Luncheon
    Secretary of Commerce and Trade Jim Cheng speaks at Venture Forum Luncheon Event 11:00 AM
    Event details...

March 20, 2012

  • Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony
    5:45 PM

March 17, 2012
March 16, 2012
March 7, 2012
February 22, 2012

  • Entrepreneurial Town Hall
    10:45 AM
    Virginia State Capitol
    Patrick Henry Building

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