By Tim Ryan

Hey, Innovate Hampton Roads—buckle up, because our region’s entrepreneurial fire just scored another blazing win! Fast Company, the ultimate vibe-checker for business innovation since 1995, dropped its 2025 Most Innovative Companies list, and guess who’s flexing in the Social Good category? Norfolk’s own Work Program Architects (WPA) nabbed No. 7, proving Hampton Roads isn’t just on the map—it’s redrawing it.
Fast Company’s been the gold standard for spotting game-changers for decades, sifting through thousands of contenders to crown those who don’t just play the game but flip the board. Their annual list is less about fat stacks and more about bold ideas that ripple through industries and culture. And WPA? They’re the latest local crew to catch that wave, hot on the heels of ivWatch’s 2024 medical tech glow-up. Two years, two wins—Hampton Roads is cooking with rocket fuel.
So, who’s WPA? They’re the Norfolk-based architecture rebels at wparch.com, dreaming up spaces that don’t just look dope but do something real. Fast Company gave them props for turning a stalled Neon District lot into “The Plot”—a pop-up park that’s less concrete jungle, more community heartbeat. When rising rates tanked their mixed-use plans in 2022, WPA didn’t flinch. They snagged a $100K Mellon Foundation grant, teamed up with local nonprofits, and spun shipping containers into a hub that hosted 150+ free events in 2024—think art jams, yoga flows, and movie nights. It’s not just a space; it’s a blueprint for cities everywhere, and WPA’s sharing the playbook.
This isn’t a one-off flex either. From ivWatch’s IV-saving tech in 2024 to WPA’s urban alchemy, Hampton Roads is stacking wins that scream progress. We’re talking a region that’s got the East Coast’s fastest-growing port, a buzzing tech scene, and now a double-tap of Fast Company love. WPA’s vibe—adaptive, community-first, boundary-pushing—mirrors where we’re headed: a hotspot where entrepreneurs don’t just build stuff, they build meaning.
So, Hampton Roads innovators, this is your cue. WPA’s win isn’t just theirs—it’s ours. Let’s keep the momentum roaring. What’s your next big swing? Drop it in the comments—we’re all ears.

Don’t miss out on key business events, local success stories, and expert insights—subscribe to This Week in 757 and stay ahead in Hampton Roads’ innovation and business community. https://bit.ly/twi757newsletter