Entrepreneur Resource Center (ERC) at Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center

About

Project Rise is an incubation program at the Entrepreneur Resource Center in Virginia Tech, designed to support young technology entrepreneurs in Roanoke and New River Valley with funding, mentorship, and access to professional resources, helping them to grow and expand their businesses effectively.

Benefits

• 💰 Financial Support
• Access to grant funding to support business growth.
• 🎓 Mentorship Program
• Receive mentorship and guidance from experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts.
• 🏢 Office Space
• Utilize professional incubation facilities for business development.
• 🌐 Network Access
• Join a community of entrepreneurs and access valuable networking opportunities.
• 📈 Business Support
• Resources and activities designed to help startups grow and expand their impact.

Eligibility Criteria

• 🌍 Geographic Eligibility
• Open to startups from Virginia, particularly Roanoke and New River Valley regions.
• 🏢 Legal Status
• Must be a legally registered company or have a startup idea.
• 💼 Business Stage
• Targeting early-stage technology startups, especially those utilizing emerging technologies like AI and big data.
• 👥 Team Requirements
• Open to young entrepreneurs, including students, alumni, researchers, and faculty innovators.

Participation Commitments

• 📍 Physical Attendance
• Must participate in events and activities organized by the Entrepreneur Resource Center.
• 🎤 Presentation Requirement
• Expected to present business ideas and progress during community events.

Target Region

Focused on startups in Virginia, especially Roanoke and New River Valley

Target Sector

Technology startups, particularly those in AI and big data