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Bio-plastic startup wins Lighthouse Labs pitch contest
Ourobio was shark favorite from accelerator's spring 2022 cohort
While pitching to the sharks, entrepreneur Alec Brewer told them, “I do have white powder in my pocket,” before quickly clarifying that it wasn’t an illicit substance: “It’s PHB! It’s PHB!” Brewer passed the vial over for the sharks’ inspection during his Lighthouse Labs Demo Day pitch Thursday for his company, Ourobio, of which he
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Meet SBA’s Va. small biz person of year
IntellecTechs CEO Jeri Prophet honored
Published
Jeri Prophet joined the Navy on a whim. She had been attending Arizona State University, saw a recruiter sign, and headed for the office. “Some people buy new shoes. I joined the Navy,” she recalled. She served 10 years in the Navy, first as a data systems analyst and left as an information systems technician.
Four Va. businesses to receive flood solutions funding
RISE challenge winners could receive up to $300,000 each
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Four Virginia-based small businesses focused on coastal resiliency and flooding will receive funding to develop their products, Norfolk-based nonprofit RISE Resilience Innovations announced Thursday. Divided between rural and urban projects, there were eight winning projects, with the other four based in North Carolina. More than 70 projects were submitted. The urban winners will receive up
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South Hill grant aims to boost business district
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South Hill merchants figured out ways to keep business going during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, introducing Facebook Live videos from downtown stores that helped people shop from home, then pick up their treasures curbside. Sometimes featuring a rescue dog named Duncan, the videos have continued even as restrictions are rolled back. Now, the
Greater Washington Partnership CEO steps down
JB Holston's last day was Thursday
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Greater Washington Partnership CEO JB Holston has left the organization he has led since September 2020. Holston’s last day was Thursday, Nina Sharma, a partnership spokesperson confirmed to Virginia Business. It comes one day after the alliance of business and community leaders from Baltimore through Richmond announced a five-year, $4.7 billion effort to invest in
Metro delays create hassles for businesses, workers
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Metrorail delays played a factor in Danielle Romanetti’s decision at the beginning of the year to close fibre space, her Old Town Alexandria yarn and knitting supplies shop, an hour earlier each day. “We now close at [7 p.m.] instead of [8 p.m.], just so staff can get home in time to eat a proper
Richmond, Capital One offering restaurant 101 seminar
Free, virtual class to be run by chef Jason Alley
Published
The city of Richmond’s Office of Minority Business Development, in partnership with Capital One, will offer a free information session for current and prospective restaurant owners in April, covering topics such as setting menu prices, meeting city requirements and creating improvement plans. Award-winning Richmond chef, restaurateur and consultant Jason Alley, who’s now the city’s policy
Va. Smart Community Testbed names tech specialist
Uma Marques will be liaison between between tech accelerator and businesses
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Stafford County’s Virginia Smart Community Testbed and the Virginia Innovation Partnership Cooperation have a new technology specialist for businesses and other organizations looking to pilot their products and services. Uma Marques started as the technology specialist for the Testbed March 14, according to a news release. The Testbed is a technology accelerator for the state
Paper goods manufacturer announces $17M Henrico expansion
American Paper Converting will move to 120,000-square-foot facility
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Washington-based paper goods manufacturer American Paper Converting (APC) will complete a $17 million expansion of its Henrico County operations, expected to add 69 jobs, the Henrico Economic Development Authority announced Tuesday. APC will move its current operation at 4401 Carolina Ave. to 5801 Tech Park Way, near the county’s White Oak Technology Park. The larger
Va. Beach launches small biz loan program
Initiative is city partnership with LISC of Hampton Roads
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The Virginia Beach Small Business Capital Access Program is offering loans of $15,000 to $25,000 to small businesses, with no payments required for the first six months. The program, which is a collaboration between the Virginia Beach Economic Development Department and the Local Initiatives Support Corp. (LISC) of Hampton Roads, provides $400,000 in zero-interest loans