Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation

Virginia startups: Your elevator pitch could be featured statewide. @VirginiaBiz is looking for early-stage companies to spotlight in its annual StartVirginia issue. This is a great chance to showcase your vision to business leaders and investors across the Commonwealth. Apply here: virginiabusiness.com/start_virginia/ Deadline: March 30 #Startups #VirginiaInnovation #Entrepreneurship #StartVirginia #VirginiaStartups

A Virginia-based startup supported by VIPC is tackling one of AI’s biggest challenges: data center energy Claros emerged from stealth last year with strong momentum, including support through a public-private partnership between VIPC and venture studio @RedCellPartners, and the attraction of out-of-state investment from global investors like @generalcatalyst. As highlighted by @axios, Claros just announced a new oversubscribed $30M seed funding round, which builds on $10 million raised just last year, to accelerate its technology commercialization that improves energy efficiency usage in data centers. With AI driving unprecedented demand on power infrastructure, Claros is developing breakthrough technology to reduce energy loss and deliver power more efficiently directly to chips. Read more: axios.com/2026/03/19/cla… #StateofInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives #Claros #VIPC #VirginiaStartupNews

VIPC portfolio company, @srsgrp (Sentinel Robotic Solutions) in the spotlight Featured for its Magpie system - built from real-world lessons in Ukraine - and recently showcased at Drone Responders NACON. Read more: autonomyglobal.co/tactical-modul… #StateofInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives #Sentinel #VirginiaUAS

Want a shot at $2.5B in federal funding? Join VIPC on March 25 in Arlington for a DOD/DOW SBIR/STTR Proposal Prep Workshop - plus meet reps from the @USNavy & @DARPA. Register: VIPC.org/events #StateofInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives #VIPC #SBIR #STTR

🍀 Wishing everyone a Happy St. Patrick’s Day from VIPC! We’re lucky to support the founders, partners, and communities driving innovation across Virginia. Here’s to continued growth and momentum across the Commonwealth. #StPatricksDay #StateofInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives #StartupFunding

VIPC’s Rob Brooke spoke at the SBIR/STTR Spring Innovation Conference last week in Raleigh. On the panel “Luck Favors the Prepared,” he shared how founders can position themselves to compete for $4B+ in annual SBIR/STTR funding - the nation’s largest seed fund. #StartupFunding #WhereInnoVAtionThrives#StateofInnoVAtion #SBIR #STTR

VIPC was proud to sponsor the DRONERESPONDERS National Public Safety UAS Conference in Williamsburg last week. 🚁 Entrepreneurs connected with federal, state, and local public safety leaders to explore the future of UAS and counter-UAS -from policy to real-world emergency response. 30+ vendors. Cutting-edge tech. Meaningful industry connections. #DroneResponders #VIPC #StateofInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives #VirginiaUAS

VIPC is looking forward to the upcoming business conference hosted by the South Asian Business Council of Virginia, bringing together entrepreneurs, professionals, students, and aspiring leaders from across the region. The half-day conference will feature expert-led workshops, funding and grants guidance, SWaM certification Q&A, a live pitch competition, and speed networking with business and industry leaders. March 29, 2026 | 12:00–5:00 PM Learn more: sabcva.com/upcoming-event… #StateofInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives #SABVCA #VIPC

Join Virginia Venture Partners’ Coffee with VIPC next Friday for “The First $1M: How Founders Actually Raise Their First Institutional Round.” Senior Investment Associate Anthony Obi Jr. will break down what investors look for and how founders can position themselves for early venture funding. March 20, 2026 | 9:00–10:30 AM (Virtual) We’ll cover: • Pre-seed vs. seed expectations • What VCs look for before writing a check • Common fundraising mistakes founders make The session will also include breakout discussions on VIPC funding opportunities and time for Q&A. Register here: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regist… #WhereInnoVAtionThrives #StateofInnoVAtion #VIPC #StartupFunding

Six VIPC portfolio companies were recognized on @Technical_ly 's RealLIST Startups 2026 DC, spotlighting rising startups across the DC region. Congrats to: - @GenLogs - Cachai - Claros - @BuckstopHQ - Thumbprint Furniture - Ampere Great to see these founders gaining momentum and helping strengthen the region’s innovation ecosystem. Read more: technical.ly/entrepreneursh… #VirginiaStartups #WhereInnoVAtionThrives #StateofInnoVAtion

Great to join innovators, industry leaders, academics, government agencies, investors, and startups at Energy Tech 2026 to discuss how Virginia is shaping its energy future. VIPC was proud to sponsor the event and have Marco Rubin speak on the panel “How Funders Evaluate Early-Stage Energy Tech,” exploring what investors look for as energy startups move toward commercial scale. @DominionEnergy | @simple_thread | @DEIC_Ashland | @Virginia_Energy | @DNV_Group | @WestMonroe #EnergyTechVA #EnergyInnovation #StateofInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives

Momentum Builds Around National Innovation Quarter VIPC is proud to partner in National IQ—bringing together industry, academia, government, and startups to help accelerate innovation and economic growth in the region. More from ARLnow: arlnow.com/2026/03/04/biz… @AEDBizInvest | @AlexandriaEcon | @virginia_tech | @jbgsmith | @amazon | @SAICinc | @northropgrumman | @NationalLanding #StateofInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives #NationalIQ

Virginia’s pharmaceutical industry is on the rise. A new @VirginiaBiz article highlights major investments across the Commonwealth and mentions the Virginia Center for Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing’s role in building the workforce needed to support continued growth. VIPC is proud to support initiatives that strengthen Virginia’s innovation ecosystem and help translate investment into long-term opportunity. Read more: virginiabusiness.com/virginia-pharm… #StateofInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives #AdvancedPharmaceuticalManufacturing #VIPC

Do you need to be Cybersecurity Maturity Model Compliant (CMMC)? If you pursue or plan to pursue contracts with the U.S. DoW, cybersecurity compliance is not optional. Join VIPC and Lisa Wood (@VirginiaAPEX) March 17 | 1–2PM ET to understand: • Your required CMMC level (1, 2, or 3) • What qualifies as CUI & FCI • SPRS scores, PIEE navigation, and costs Register: eventbrite.com/e/understandin… #WhereInnoVAtionThrives #StateofInnoVAtion #VIPC #CMMC

VIPC portfolio company, OrchestrateXR, is innovating how professionals prepare for the moments that matter most. At the Virginia Fire & Rescue Conference, CEO Rob Moore showcased how immersive learning is transforming workforce preparation. Their platform brings training to life through: - Immersive video capture that places trainees inside real-world scenarios using VR headsets or mobile devices. - AI-powered conversations that allow users to practice realistic dialogue with AI characters, such as learning how to properly intake a patient and respond under pressure. Instead of passive learning, professionals gain hands-on experience in a safe, repeatable environment. #StateofInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives #OrchestrateXR

"One must still have chaos in oneself to give birth to a dancing star." - Friedrich Nietzsche At spaceNEXT Conference, VIPC’s Marco Rubin shared a central truth: progress isn’t born from stability - it’s forged in uncertainty. Organizations that endure harness the chaos, encourage constructive dissent, and treat new ideas not as disruption, but as fuel. #StateofInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives #spaceNEXT #VIPC #InnovationLeadership #InnovationLeadership

When seconds count, clarity matters. VIPC portfolio company @SmartResponseAi is bringing live radio transcription + real-time keyword alerts to emergency response environments - ensuring critical phrases aren’t missed in high-volume communications. Now supporting 911 centers in 18 states. This is AI working where it matters most. #PublicSafety #FireRescue #AI #EmergencyResponse #StateofInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives

Energy Tech 2026 | March 10 - Richmond, VA Explore next-gen energy solutions, connect with industry leaders, and dive into grid modernization, AI in utilities, pitch competitions & more. Register: energytechva.com #StateofInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives #EnergyTechVA #FutureOfEnergy

Preparing an NIH Phase I SBIR/STTR proposal? Join VIPC and Rich Giersch (Life Science Works) on March 3 (12–1:30PM) for a focused webinar on building a strong, compliant budget. Learn the basics, avoid common pitfalls, and tap into available resources. #StateofInnoVAtion #WhereInnoVAtionThrives #VIPC #NIH #SBIR #STTR

April 22-26 | Downtown Charlottesville VIPC is sponsoring the 2026 @TomTomFest + EVOLVE Conference - a 4-day gathering of civic leaders, founders, and innovators turning vision into action. Talks. Workshops. Demos. Keynotes. If you’re building what’s next, be in the room. @VEDPVirginia | @UVA | @DardenMBA | @GOVirginia | @rvalighthouse Register here: tomtomfoundation.org/2026-festival