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ECODOME: Bringing Immersive Entertainment to Charlottesville
In the heart of our vibrant community, an exciting vision is taking shape. ECODOME, led by local founder Coco Hunter, is developing a unique 50-foot interactive dome where audiences can experience entertainment in a completely new way—surrounded by 360-degree visuals and immersive sound. What makes this project unique is how it weaves together technology, arts, education, and wellness. The proposed venue would host everything from immersive films and concerts to educational workshops and wellness programming, all designed for intimate gatherings of up to 250 people.
"ECODOME will be a cutting-edge, 50-foot, interactive dome designed for groundbreaking immersive media, captivating concerts, unique storytelling, and educational programming," shares Hunter. "It's not only unique to our region--there's nothing like it yet anywhere in the world. Our concept is particularly well-suited to Charlottesville, where our thriving cultural scene draws over 2 million annual visitors alongside our local community and university population." The ECODOME team is currently having promising conversations with location partners about a potential site downtown, while their membership campaign builds community support. They're also undertaking a $7M capital raise, connecting with investors who share their vision.
Throughout development, our CVSBDC advisors have provided business planning support and strategic guidance to help shape this creative concept. "The assistance we've received from the SBDC has been nothing short of game-changing," says Hunter. "SBDC has provided a foundation of strategic support that has kept us focused, aligned, and moving forward with clarity. I feel like I have a team of seasoned experts in my corner." We look forward to watching how this innovative local business continues to evolve in bringing new cultural experiences to our community.
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Piedmont Ascent Business Conference
May 29 | 12 - 5 PM | Charlottesville, VA
Join us for a dynamic half-day business conference for small business owners and entrepreneurs at every stage! Our expert-led sessions will cover essential topics like leveraging AI for business growth, securing capital, mastering marketing, scaling efficiently, and creating a powerful vision for long-term success. Beyond the training, you’ll have the opportunity to network with like-minded business owners, exchange ideas, and build valuable connections that can help propel your business forward.
Secure your tickets today for the early-bird price!
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Apply for CAN's May Pitch Preview!
Virginia early-stage entrepreneurs: Charlottesville Angel Network (CAN) and Virginia Small Business Development Center (VSBDC) have joined forces to help you polish your pitch presentation. CAN and VSBDC are offering pitch practice opportunities, with accredited angel investors in attendance. There is no cost to participate and presenter(s) will leave with actionable feedback from these angel investors.
Apply for the May 1st preview by April 21st.
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FSA Customer Kiosks
The new customer kiosks from USDA’s Farm Service Agency are now available at every county office nationwide. These kiosks help to streamline your visit to your local county office and easily access a variety of features such as signing FSA documents, utilizing the Loan Assistance Tool, browsing USDA programs, accessing the internet, and accessing necessary personal information. Future kiosk functionality enhancements include a customer check-in application, self-service option for FSA program applications and documents, financial inquiries and more.
To find a customer kiosk near you, visit your local county office.
| | An SBDC advisor can assist you in applying for this loan. Request an appointment here. | | |
CharlottesvilleFamily Magazine 2025 MOMpreneur Business Grant
CharlottesvilleFamily Magazine is excited to announce the launch of a new initiative designed to support and empower entrepreneurial mothers in the greater Charlottesville area. This grant offers a comprehensive marketing package valued at over $5,000, including marketing consultations, digital promotion, print advertising, and social media exposure throughout 2025. Eligible applicants must be be a mother with a child aged 21 or younger, own at least 33% of a business actively operating for less than five years, have an annual operating budget of $500,000 or less and no more than six full-time equivalent employees, and be located in Charlottesville or adjacent counties.
Apply by April 25th.
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Emergency Resilience Grants
American Farmland Trust is excited to announce the upcoming Brighter Future Fund's Emergency Resilience Grant! We are prioritizing funding for small to mid-size farms and ranches that have historically faced barriers to accessing traditional funding. Grants can support efforts to strengthen financial resilience, provide business technical assistance, invest in business development, and promote soil health and environmentally beneficial agricultural practices.
Apply by April 26th.
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Hello Alice Creative Business Grants
The Creative Business Boost Initiative, presented by Hello Alice and the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN), with support from Etsy’s Uplift Fund! 100 creative entrepreneurs will be selected from eligible entrants to receive a $5,000 grant and access to an exclusive Boost Camp coaching program, helping them access capital and resources they need to foster growth and success. Applications close at 7 pm on May 9th.
For eligibility criteria and to apply.
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Digital Ready Grant Program
Digital Ready is giving away $10k grants to deserving business owners and starting to accept applications this April. You can sign up for Digital Ready (for free!) and take courses now in order to become eligible when the grant opens.
Register here to become eligible to apply.
| | Every program of the Virginia SBDC is open to all members of the public. | | Webinars from the Virginia SBDC Network | | HAPPENING IN THE COMMUNITY | | |
Galant Challenge at UVA McIntyre School of Commerce
April 23 | 4-6 PM | Charlottesville, VA
The Galant Challenge—a “demo day” of startups connected with UVA and/or affiliated with the school through their VC funders—will be held at the UVA McIntire School of Commerce. New this year, we're adding a cohort of exciting VC funds with ties to UVA and hosting a VC panel discussion open to the public from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. before the Challenge. This session will be valuable for anyone interested in venture capital careers or learning about fundraising.
RSVP here.
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SCORE Webinar - Technology Essentials for Small Businesses
April 23 | 12 PM | Virtual
Technology is one of the most critical and also most often overlooked areas for small businesses. This webinar covers technology essentials and the most common tools and applications you should have in place for your small business. Topics to be addressed include technology basics, including Cloud services, Core Business Suite/Applications, social media/campaign management software, cybersecurity, websites, and accounting & HR applications.
Register here.
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VAFMA Food Safety Summit
April 28-30 | 9 AM-12 PM | Virtual
This live online summit is a valuable resource for anyone who prepares or sells food products. Presenters are from regulatory agencies such as the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), so the information is up to date, and you can ask questions! NO COST to attend.
During this annual Food Safety Summit, the Virginia Farmers Market Association (VAFMA) brings together representatives from VDACS, VDH, VA ABC, and VCE to walk you through the requirements and answer your questions. These sessions are recorded and shared with registrants. Participants are able to receive a certificate of participation.
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VCE Good Manufacturing Practices
April 30 | 8 AM-5 PM | Culpeper, VA
This training program outlines the basic sanitary controls that are required for all food processing plants, wholesale or distribution firms, and warehouses or food storage facilities that handle, store or process FDA regulated food. This course provides participants a basic understanding of each section of this regulation along with an explanation of its intent, examples, and strategies for compliance with these new requirements as well as resources for additional information.
Register here.
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Central Virginia SBDC
Your Partners in Business:
Supporting Small Business - from Startups to International Expansion
Serving the City of Charlottesville and the Counties of Albemarle, Culpeper, Fluvanna,
Greene, Louisa, Madison, Nelson, Orange, Rappahannock.
Meet With Us
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