By Tim Ryan
As we welcome a new year and bid farewell to the remarkable journey of 2023, it’s a moment of profound reflection and exhilarating anticipation for us at Innovate Hampton Roads. Envision yourself in our vibrant space, brimming with ideas and stories that have shaped our community’s landscape.
Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to each Innovate Hampton Roads community member. Your engagement, stories, and participation have been pivotal in our mission to spotlight innovation and entrepreneurship in the Hampton Roads region. The past year has been a landmark in our journey, marked by significant milestones and a shared vision for growth and inspiration.
In 2023, we witnessed the transformative consolidation of StartWheel and the Hampton Roads Innovation Collaborative (HRIC) into Innovate Hampton Roads. This strategic union has strengthened our platform and magnified our voice in the entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem. The surge in our audience reach to record numbers is a testament to your unwavering support and interest.
Our commitment to storytelling was reflected in the sharing of 203 news stories about our thriving entrepreneurial and innovation community, a remarkable 20% increase from the previous year. Moreover, we facilitated connections and knowledge sharing by promoting 791 events across the community, marking a substantial 54% increase in 2023.
As we venture into 2024, our aspirations are set high, and our spirits are fueled with optimism. Our primary objective is aggressively promoting our entrepreneurial and innovation community across the Hampton Roads region. We aim to place Hampton Roads firmly on the map, attracting new capital to fund our companies and fostering a nurturing environment for innovation.
As the storytellers for this vibrant community, we plan to position Innovate Hampton Roads further at the forefront. Our goal is to be the beacon, illuminating our region’s successes, challenges, and groundbreaking ideas. We aspire to be the voice that resonates with every entrepreneur and innovator, echoing their stories across diverse platforms and audiences.
As we embark on this journey together in 2024, we invite you to continue being an integral part of our narrative. Your stories, insights, and innovations are the lifeblood of our community. Together, let’s make 2024 a year of groundbreaking achievements, unwavering support, and shared success.
Thank you for being a part of Innovate Hampton Roads. Here’s to a year of innovation, growth, and inspiring stories. Let’s make 2024 a year to remember!
Do you feel it!
