Meet Our New Rural Ecosystem Navigators!

John Croft and Ann Marie Hohenberger have joined the CIC/CVSBDC team as our Rural Ecosystem Navigators! They will work with our rural counties under the GO Virginia grant to help connect entrepreneurs with resources to help them succeed. We are looking forward to seeing their impact in the community and are excited to have them on the team!

RESOURCES

SBA National Small Business Week Awards Nominations now open

The Small Business Administration is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Small Business Week Awards. National award categories include Small Business Person of the Year, 8(a) Graduate of the Year, and VA-Richmond Small Business Exporter of the Year, with additional local award categories. Nominations are open through December 8, 2025.

Learn more.

StartUp Virginia - Idea Factory Program

Startup Virginia’s Idea Factory teaches aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs the fundamentals of customer discovery. This process includes uncovering real customer needs before you build. You’ll learn how to test your idea, gather meaningful feedback, and move forward with confidence. Applications close September 12 for this free program, which runs from October 6 to November 18.

Apply here.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

All programs of the Virginia SBDC are open to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.

Charlottesville Entrepreneurs + Espresso (C-E2)

September 16 | 9 AM - 11 AM

In Person (Charlottesville)

Charlottesville Entrepreneurs and Espresso, or C-E2, a monthly event series, is a casual, caffeine fueled gathering of learning for entrepreneurs at all stages of venture creation. This is a free event open to the entire entrepreneurship community.

Register here

Webinars from the Virginia SBDC Network

Access the CVSBDC Events Calendar and 

statewide training offerings for even more learning!

Coffee with VIPC's Virginia Venture Partners

September 5 | 9 AM - 10:30 AM | Virtual

Join Virginia Venture Partners for our Summer VC Series interviewing funds that are actively investing in Virginia companies! Valor Ventures leads seed rounds in software companies headquartered in the Southeast using their unique Inclusion Premium investing approach. If you are planning to raise capital, these events will give you insight into what investors are looking at right now. Make sure to mark your calendar now to attend all these coffees over the rest of the summer and early fall.

Register here.

Virginia Tourism Corporation Orientation Program

September 23-24 | 9 AM - 12 PM | Virtual

Join VTC staff to learn about VTC’s programs and resources – research, development, funding and marketing opportunities that can help increase visitation to your destination, events and festivals, attractions or region. VTC Orientation is a must for Virginia DMOs, tourism-related business owners, tourism marketers and representatives from Virginia attractions, restaurants, events, retail and lodging establishments.

Register here.

ServSafe Manager Course

September 29 | 9 AM - 5 PM | Madison, VA

This one-day course is designed for individuals in charge of managing food safety in restaurants, cafeterias, food trucks, and other food service operations. Participants will complete classroom training and then take the national ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification Exam. Those who pass will receive a certification valid for five years. Virginia food establishments (including temporary food establishments) must have at least one employee with supervisory and management responsibility and the authority to direct and control food preparation and service who is a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM). The ServSafe Manager Certification fulfills this requirement. 

Register here.

Virginia Cooperative Extension Homesteading Series

Through November 2025 | Rapidan, VA

Are you ready to grow your self-reliance skills and connect with like-minded learners? Join us for Virginia Cooperative Extension’s Fall Homesteading Series! For just $25 per person, you can attend as many fall classes as you’d like. Whether you're just starting your homesteading journey or looking to deepen your skills, our hands-on, research-based classes offer something for everyone. Youth ages 9 and up are welcome to attend with an accompanying, enrolled adult. Classes are led by experienced Extension Agents and partners who will guide you through practical, science-backed techniques tailored for today’s homesteaders.

Register here.

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

The Virginia SBDC Network is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, George Mason University‐Mason Enterprise, and local host institutions. The Virginia SBDC is nationally accredited by America’s SBDC.

All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. Business owners can access the services of their nearest SBDC at VirginiaSBDC.org.