Location

Dan River Region, Virginia (Region 3)

Project Scope

Regional

objective

A 3-year Rural Entrepreneurship & Innovation Ecosystem Development Project.

―

A 3-year, Rural Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Development project primarily focused on Diversity & Inclusion work. Since early 2014, The Dan River Region (DRR) has been intentionally building its entrepreneurial ecosystem, in order to create pathways to push momentum forward, break down silos and facilitate opportunities for entrepreneurs across the region to collide in new and innovative ways. The highly collaborative project includes a consortium of 11 resource provider organizations in the Dan River Region that help entrepreneurs and small businesses: The Launch Place, The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce, the River District Association, Danville Community College, The Institute for Advanced Learning, Pittsylvania County Economic Development, Longwood Small Business Development Center, Caswell County Economic Development, Danville NAACP, Averett College, and the City of Danville Economic Development Office.

1.

Inaugural Global Entrepreneurship Week

Developing the bridge between the hyper local-entrepreneurial ecosystem in rural Virginia with national networks and collaborations. From grassroots to government, have full participation.

2.

National news

Secured considerable coverage of the innovative project, including: Unsung Heroes Project, Kauffman Foundation’s ESHIP Summit, Global Entrepreneur Network national newsletter and website highlights.

3.

Catalyst for business development

Developed international business attraction strategy, resulting in site visits from Canadian incubators and their startup companies visiting for U.S. market entry.