30 Best Startup Accelerators & Incubators In Virginia [2021]

From Starter Story By Pat Walls

Are you looking for an accelerator program in Virginia?

Did you know that Virginia is recognized as America’s Top State for Business in the year 2021?

If you’re starting a startup in Virginia, you might be wondering what startup accelerators or incubators exist in the area. Here’s the full list:

Startup Accelerators & Incubators In Virginia

1. Lighthouse Labs

2. Ignition

3. VP(x)2 -Venturing Project Squad

4. The Launch Place

5. Shenandoah Community Capital Fund

6. Community Business Partnership

7. Catalyst

8. Mach 37

9. Startup Virginia

10. Startups Ignite

11. The Village Project

12. Dominion Energy Innovation Center

13. The Alan B. Miller Entrepreneurship Center

14. Franklin Business Center

15. Business Development Center

16. Mason Enterprise Center

17. The Highland Center

18. West Piedmont Business Development Center

19. Entrepreneur’s Organization

20. UMW EagleWorks Business Incubation Center

21. Galant Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

22. BizLaunch

23. Fairfax County Economic Development Authority

24. Martinsville Henry County Economic Development Corporation

25. REaKTOR

26. Da Vinci Center for Innovation

27. Virginia Highlands Small Business Incubator

28. Virginia Talent Accelerator Program

29. Score

30. SBDC

 

1. Lighthouse Labs

• Location: Richmond, VA
• Industry: Broad Technology and Product Portfolio Businesses
• Investment Size: $20K
• Program Length: 3 Months
• Equity Taken: No Equity Taken

Lighthouse Labs runs a 3-month long business accelerator program that assists early-stage founders to build scalable business ventures in the industrial ecosystem. This program helps startups and innovative entrepreneurs to convert their business ideas into reality by providing them with tailored mentorship & business support, funding of $200K, legal & accounting assistance, business education, networking opportunities with industry experts, and lifetime alumni support. They help businesses in the niche of technology and product portfolio, and some of its portfolio companies are Bloom Rail, Spellbound, Tribaja, Work Ceo, No Limits, and many more.

2. Ignition

• Location: Williamsburg, VA
• Industry: All Industries
• Investment Size: $200K
• Program Length: Not Disclosed
• Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Ignition hosts a business program that assists startups and entrepreneurs build scalable business firms. This program aims to build a successful business community by supporting entrepreneurs and providing them with mentorship, growth resources, office space, networking opportunities with investors, tools, tailored business curriculum, fundraising opportunities, business experiences & knowledge to launch a business program from scratch, and access to participate in the Shark Tank VA program. Some of its portfolio companies include Jaunt, Drink Williamsburg, Fubar, and many more.

3. VP(x)2 -Venturing Project Squad

• Location: Arlington and Charlottesville, VA
• Industry: All Industries
• Investment Size: $10K
• Program Length: 9 Months
• Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

VP(x)2-Venturing Project Squad program initiated by the Batten Institute and hosted by the University of Virginia Darden School of Business is a goal-oriented business program that helps early-stage business entrepreneurs to succeed in the industry. This program provides participants with mentorship & guidance, workshops, funding of $10K, legal & technical assistance, connection-building & networking opportunities, and guidance to build an MVP.

4. The Launch Place

• Location: Danville & Pittsylvania County, VA and Caswell County, NC
• Industry: All Industries
• Investment Size: $100K-$250K
• Program Length: Not Disclosed
• Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

The Launch Place runs a business program that fosters a collaborative environment for entrepreneurs and offers them support and fund-raising opportunities to take their business products and services to a new level in the market. They provide them with seed-funding of $100K-$250K, and in some cases, they can also get a chance to earn an investment of $500K. This program is run by a team of skilled and experienced international staff that provides business entrepreneurs with mentoring, training, business knowledge, and professional assistance in developing the business.

5. Shenandoah Community Capital Fund

• Location: Staunton, VA
• Industry: Agriculture, Technology, Light Manufacturing, Food Processing, and Professional Services
• Investment Size: $1K-$50K
• Program Length: 8 Weeks
• Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Shenandoah Community Capital Fund operates a business program to provide business support to launch and grow a business firm successfully in the industrial ecosystem of Staunton, VA. They host an 8-week Startup Shenandoah Valley (S2V) program that provides participants with mentorship, business support, one-on-one coaching, valuable business insights, tailored business-growth strategies, acceleration and incubation services, loans ranging from $1K-$50K, and networking opportunities with alumni and business experts. They help businesses in the niche of agriculture, technology, light manufacturing, food processing, and professional services.

6. Community Business Partnership

• Location: Springfield, VA
• Industry: All Industries
• Investment Size: Upto $30K
• Program Length: Not Disclosed
• Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Community Business Partnership hosts a business incubator program that helps small business firms and women-owned businesses in the industry. They provide them with support and business education to build vibrant business firms and make a contribution to the growth of the industrial economy. This program also offers growth-enabled & financial resources, counseling & mentorship, and access to various classes and business programs for the members.

7. Catalyst

• Location: Charlottesville, VA
• Industry: All Industries
• Investment Size: $20K
• Program Length: 9 Months
• Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Catalyst runs a 9-month accelerator program that helps early-stage startups to grow and succeed in the industry. This program caters to businesses with funding of $20K, collaborative workspace, mentorship from experienced business experts, access to various programs, networking opportunities with industry experts, and business resources worth $50K. Some of its portfolio companies are; Hava, In Memory Of, Liquet, MetaCTF, Sergo Med, and many more.

8. Mach 37

• Location: Tysons, VA
• Industry: Cyber Startups
• Investment Size: Not Disclosed
• Program Length: 12 Weeks
• Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Mach 37 hosts a business accelerator program that serves cyber startups of the industry. They organize a 12-week cyber accelerator program to assist early-stage startup companies in the niche of cyber security, artificial intelligence, machine learnings, quantum computing, neural networks, encryption, IoT, space cyber-physical systems, industrial controls, and other cyber-related verticals. They provide startups with mentorship, resources, business education, and other services essential to grow and scale businesses in the industrial ecosystem.

9. Startup Virginia

• Location: Richmond, VA
• Industry: Innovative Businesses
• Investment Size: Not Disclosed
• Program Length: 6 Weeks
• Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Startup Virginia offers a business program to support the entrepreneurs, innovators, and founders of the region. This program provides members with tools & resources, access to various programs, mentorship & guidance, workspace, educational business events, training, and networking opportunities essential to reach their potential and create a positive impact on the economy of Virginia.

10. Startups Ignite

• Location: Reston, VA
• Industry: All Industries
• Investment Size: Not Disclosed
• Program Length: 90 Days
• Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Startups Ignite organizes a business program that helps startups accelerate and grow their businesses in the industry. Their 90-day Startup Venture Accelerator program provides entrepreneurs with mentorship, proven business methodologies & practices, hands-on business experience, networking opportunities with industry experts, peers & mentors, business strategies, ideas testing opportunities, revenue models, and workshops essential for building a scalable and successful business firm.

11. The Village Project

• Location: Richmond, VA
• Industry: All Industries
• Investment Size: Not Disclosed
• Program Length: 12 Months
• Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

The Village Project runs a hybrid business program that provides entrepreneurs with various services and collaborative business opportunities. They also offer strategies related to work-life balance and professional business techniques to the entrepreneurs for longevity and success in the industry. The 12-month Skill Up Entrepreneurial Program provides business coaching and assistance in the niche of business development, marketing, health & wellness to entrepreneurs of all business stages.

12. Dominion Energy Innovation Center

• Location: Ashland, VA
• Industry: Environment, Social Innovations, Digital Data, Transportation, Distributed Resources, and more.
• Investment Size: Not Disclosed
• Program Length: 18 Weeks
• Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Dominion Energy Innovation Center runs a startup incubator program that accelerates business companies under verticals of sustainable environment, decarbonization, social innovations, circular economy, smart cities, IoT, digital data, robotics, mobility platforms, charging infrastructure, V2G & V2B businesses, autonomous systems, smart homes, and energy storage. This 18-week program provides startups with mentorship, coworking space, business education on marketing, finance & pricing, technical assistance, training, and resources essential for the growth of startups.

13. The Alan B. Miller Entrepreneurship Center

• Location: Williamsburg, VA
• Industry: All Industries
• Investment Size: Not Disclosed
• Program Length: Not Disclosed
• Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Launchpad is a regional incubator program by The Alan B. Miller Entrepreneurship center that provides entrepreneurs with business support and infrastructure to build scalable and profitable business ventures. They also offer access to meeting space, mentorship, resources to expand the business, educational programs, hands-on experience, networking opportunities with experts & faculty, one-on-one training & counseling sessions, workshops, and support services to the participants.

14. Franklin Business Center

• Location: Franklin, VA
• Industry: All Industries
• Investment Size: Not Disclosed
• Program Length: Not Disclosed
• Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Franklin Business Center, operated by Franklin Southampton Economic Development, Inc., offers a business incubator program that provides businesses with hands-on business experience, management assistance, technical support, business equipment, and access to critical business opportunities. They also offer fully renovated and equipped office space to help startup firms grow and expand their businesses.

15. Business Development Center

• Location: Lynchburg, VA
• Industry: All Industries
• Investment Size: Not Disclosed
• Program Length: Not Disclosed
• Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Business Development Center in Lynchburg runs an incubator program that provides business firms and entrepreneurs with business advice, mentorship, funding & training opportunities, coworking space, collaborative growth environment, professional & administrative services, and technical assistance. Participants can also get a growth-enabled business toolkit, guidance in operational & organizational business planning, business strategies, and market research essential for scaling and succeeding in the industry.

16. Mason Enterprise Center

• Location: Fairfax, VA
• Industry: All Industries
• Investment Size: Not Disclosed
• Program Length: Not Disclosed
• Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Mason Enterprise Center organizes a business program that offers entrepreneurs and startups services, resources, access to programs, incubation & acceleration services, technical assistance, business education, and networking opportunities to grow and succeed in the industry. They have a dedicated staff who provide startups with professional expertise and help businesses achieve their entrepreneurial goals.

17. The Highland Center

• Location: Monterey, VA
• Industry: All Industries
• Investment Size: Not Disclosed
• Program Length: Not Disclosed
• Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

The Highland Center runs a business program that acts as a catalyst for the economic growth and development of the region. This program accelerates small businesses and provides them with growth services, development opportunities, support programs, affordable working space, and networking opportunities. The mission of this program is to support local business firms and improve the quality of life of entrepreneurs.

18. West Piedmont Business Development Center

• Location: Martinsville VA
• Industry: All Industries
• Investment Size: Not Disclosed
• Program Length: Not Disclosed
• Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

West Piedmont Business Development Center operates a business program that encourages, empowers, and assists business entrepreneurs by providing them resources and nurturing environment to grow and succeed in the industry. This program also offers financial assistance, managerial support, guidance in business planning, working space, training, support services, and various amenities to the participating entrepreneurs.

19. Entrepreneur’s Organization

• Location: Global
• Industry: All Industries
• Investment Size: Not Disclosed
• Program Length: Not Disclosed
• Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Entrepreneur’s Organization organizes a business program that provides a peer-to-peer network, educational, and learning opportunities for the growth of entrepreneurs globally. This innovative program also helps entrepreneurs develop business strategies, sales, finance, marketing skills, and other aspects of the business. They support and encourage the achievements of early-stage entrepreneurs and drive necessary resources and skills to make them a better leader and an entrepreneur.

20. UMW EagleWorks Business Incubation Center

• Location: Fredericksburg, VA
• Industry: All Industries
• Investment Size: Not Disclosed
• Program Length: Not Disclosed
• Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

UMW EagleWorks Business Incubation Center, managed by the University of Mary Washington, hosts a business program that provides developmental services to early-stage startups and local business companies who want to grow their business enterprises. Moreover, this incubator program offers office space, professional business services, mentorship & consultation services, networking opportunities with peers, training, and other business resources to the participating entrepreneurs essential to move forward in the industry.

21. Galant Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

• Location: Charlottesville, VA
• Industry: All Industries
• Investment Size: Not Disclosed
• Program Length: Not Disclosed
• Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Galant Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship program at UVA McINTIRE empowers and encourages student entrepreneurs to build a scalable and successful startup business firm. This program provides participants with business education, training, mentorship, growth-enabled business concepts, tools & resources, launch strategies, assistance in business innovation, hands-on training, and networking opportunities with industry experts.

22. BizLaunch

• Location: Arlington, VA
• Industry: All Industries
• Investment Size: Not Disclosed
• Program Length: Not Disclosed
• Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Biz Launch, run by Arlington’s Economic Development, is a small business and entrepreneurial assistance network. They act as a one-stop-shop for starting and growing a successful business firm in Arlington. They provide participants with tax assistance, business plans, guidance & counseling, and education on business topics such as marketing toolkit, financing, licensing & business plans, and research opportunities.

23. Fairfax County Economic Development Authority

• Location: Tysons, VA
• Industry: Technology Industry
• Investment Size: Not Disclosed
• Program Length: Not Disclosed
• Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Fairfax County Economic Development Authority runs a business program that helps thriving technology innovators and leaders to succeed in the industry. They assist technical businesses in the niche of defense, aerospace, financial services, emerging technologies, information technology, health, and life science. This program provides small businesses and entrepreneurs with workforce training, economic advantage, various utilities, business education, workshop, counseling, and office space.

24. Martinsville Henry County Economic Development Corporation

• Location: Martinsville VA
• Industry: All Industries
• Investment Size: Not Disclosed
• Program Length: Not Disclosed
• Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Martinsville Henry County Economic Development Corporation hosts a business program to provide entrepreneurs and businesses with counseling & mentorship, workforce training, business incentives, and tax advantages. They also help business firms to develop in the Martinsville Henry County by offering them various business growth strategies, developmental services, and procurement assistance.

25. REaKTOR

• Location: Hampton, VA
• Industry: Technology Industry
• Investment Size: Not Disclosed
• Program Length: Not Disclosed
• Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

REaKTOR runs a technology innovation center where technology-based business ideas are transformed into real businesses. They host programs that bring together technology innovations, entrepreneurs, and investors to build successful and scalable technology business ventures that can bring a change in the world. They provide resources, creative space, and assistance to the participating business companies. Some of its portfolio companies are Frog-Skin, Advanced Aircraft Company, UTS, and Laser & Plasma Technologies.

26. Da Vinci Center for Innovation

• Location: Richmond, VA
• Industry: All Industries
• Investment Size: Not Disclosed
• Program Length: Not Disclosed
• Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Da Vinci Center for Innovation, operated by Virginia Commonwealth University, hosts a unique business program that empowers students with innovation and entrepreneurship in various disciplines. They provide participants with business models, technical assistance, inclusive entrepreneurship, tools, resources, and skills to engage in the global industrial ecosystem. This program also provides participants with resources to master product innovation & certificate for the same, a graduate certificate in health care innovation, and a certificate in venture creation.

27. Virginia Highlands Small Business Incubator

• Location: Abingdon, VA
• Industry: All Industries
• Investment Size: Not Disclosed
• Program Length: Not Disclosed
• Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Virginia Highlands Small Business Incubator offers Residential Program and Affiliate Program. They serve startup businesses, expanding businesses, and transitioning businesses with coworking, office & manufacturing space, business equipment, growth strategies, shared services, and assistance to move forward in the industry.

28. Virginia Talent Accelerator Program

• Location: Richmond, VA
• Industry: All Industries
• Investment Size: Not Disclosed
• Program Length: Not Disclosed
• Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Virginia Talent Accelerator Program, managed by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, is a business program that provides hands-on business training, work instructions, mentorship, e-learning modules, job-specific services & methodologies, and business consultancy services. Business sectors in the niche of manufacturing operations, information technology, distribution centers, shared service centers, and research & development can be a part of this accelerator program.

29. Score

• Location: Global
• Industry: All Industries
• Investment Size: Not Disclosed
• Program Length: Not Disclosed
• Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

Score operates a global business program that provides entrepreneurs and new emerging businesses with low-cost business workshops, mentorship, training, skills, business plans, and resources. This program helps thousands of business firms to grow, start, and reach new heights of success every year. They also assist businesses in achieving their business goals by offering them business education on various topics.

30. SBDC

• Location: Global
• Industry: All Industries
• Investment Size: Not Disclosed
• Program Length: Not Disclosed
• Equity Taken: Not Disclosed

SBDC or Small Business Development Center runs programs worldwide to help existing small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs to grow and succeed in the industry. Their business program provides participants with free-of-cost training, business consultation, mentorship & guidance, resources for starting a new business and growing an existing one, assistance in international trade, funding opportunities, and various other resources essential to take business firms to new heights.